Executive Assistant to the Managing Director
A&E Fire & Security
The Company Mission Statement
A&E Fire & Security are proud to strive to be the leading
service provider for all Fire Prevention and Security Systems. Passionate for achieving an
outstanding level of performance by listening to our customer and understanding
their unique requirements, and providing deliverable
solutions that exceed their expectations.
Our goal is to always make our customer feel they are receiving our personal
attention at all times regardless of project size or service requirement.
Whether commercial or residential, each customer must feel that we are always reliable,
honest and on hand whenever they require our services or advice.
Jobsatisfaction is very important for employees and owners and we will create a
work environment that is enjoyable and profitable to all.
Background
We are a local, family run and well-established company, founded in 1965 who have
continued to provide full 24-hour, 365 days a year support to businesses
throughout the Midlands, South West and South Wales.
With approximately 100 directly employed fire and security specialists, we have your
needs covered. Whilst sizeable enough to successfully manage large contracts we
are small enough to provide you with the personal touch that is sometimes
lacking in the larger national companies.
Established in 1965 by Graham Stallard, we are proud of our growth to become the reputable,
experienced and independent company that we are now. Our track record of
customer service and quality is proven by our long standing customer
relationships that we are delighted to have kept and developed since our
founding. It is extremely important to us to provide a service that protects
you and your organisation, property, colleagues, friends and family from the
devastating effects of fire. You shouldn't expect anything less from a
professional safety company.
The Role Brief
We are seeking a highly capable Executive Assistant to work directly alongside the
Managing Director. This is not a traditional PA or admin role. The person we
are looking for will help the Managing Director operate across the whole
business — keeping him organised, on track and focused on the things that
matter most, while making sure the right things actually happen across the
teams.
A&E operates across five front-line service areas: Sales and Surveying,
Installation, Service, Fire Risk Assessments, and Fire Training. The Managing
Director oversees all of these alongside finance, strategy and key accounts.
This role exists to amplify his effectiveness — managing his time, preparing
him for decisions, chasing actions across the business, and acting as the
bridge between him and the management team.
The immediate priority is pipeline: making sure the Managing Director has full
visibility of the sales pipeline across all five service areas, that actions
are being followed through, and that nothing falls between the cracks. Once
rhythm is established there, the focus shifts to the management team —
supporting the Managing Director in driving performance and accountability
across all areas.
This is a close working role that requires discretion, commercial awareness and a
genuine understanding of how a field-based service business operates. The EA
does not have line management authority over the business — but they have the
trust of the Managing Director and act on his behalf. For the right person, the
role carries significant responsibility and genuine scope to grow.
Targets and Goals (Measurable)
Specific monthly and quarterly objectives will be agreed based on the current
performance of each team. Indicators of success include:
• The Managing Director’s time is protected and focused on strategy, key accounts and
direction.
• The pipeline of work across all five service areas is visible, tracked and followed
through.
• Recruitment and capacity for growth becomes well-structured organised process.
• Actions from meetings and decisions are chased, completed and reported back without the
Managing Director having to chase them himself.
• The management team is supported, briefed and held to account through the Managing
Director’s direction.
• The Managing Director is less overloaded, more organised and able to be more
present with the business and its people.
In the First 12 Months
Within the first year, we would expect the Executive Assistant to have:
• Established a clear rhythm for the Managing Director’s diary, priorities and weekly focus.
• Built a system for tracking and chasing actions across the management team so nothing
is missed.
• Given the Managing Director full pipeline visibility across all five service areas
with clear follow-through on quotes and conversions.
• Noticeably reduced the volume of operational detail and administration landing on the
Managing Director’s desk.
• Become a trusted, discreet and effective partner to the Managing Director across every
area of the business.
Description
The Executive Assistant works directly alongside the Managing Director, helping him
operate effectively across all five front-line service areas and the wider
business. The role is about amplifying the Managing Director’s effectiveness —
managing his time and priorities, preparing him for decisions, chasing actions,
keeping him informed, and acting as a trusted bridge between him and the
management team. The EA does not carry line management authority but acts with
the Managing Director’s trust and on his behalf.
Key Responsibilities of the Role
Supporting the Managing Director across the business
• Managing the company structure and roles – supporting the Managing Director assessing
capacity, redundancy and pipeline of employees for growth.
• Manage the Managing Director’s diary, priorities and daily schedule so his time is
focused on the highest-value activities.
• Prepare the Managing Director for meetings, decisions and key conversations — briefing
notes, context, relevant data.
• Act as the bridge between the Managing Director and the management team —
communicating decisions, chasing actions and making sure things happen.
• Handle correspondence, calls and coordination on behalf of the Managing Director with
discretion and professionalism.
Pipeline and commercial visibility (initial priority)
• Give the Managing Director clear, up-to-date visibility of the sales pipeline across
all five service areas — quotes, conversion, deal flow and follow-up.
• Chase pipeline actions and follow-ups across the teams so the Managing Director does
not have to chase them himself.
• Flag risks, gaps and commercial opportunities across the pipeline to the Managing
Director before they become problems.
Management team support
• Support the Managing Director in holding the management team accountable — tracking
actions, following up on commitments and reporting back.
• Help prepare management meetings — agendas, data, follow-up notes — so they run
efficiently and decisions are captured.
• Be a trusted, discreet point of contact for the management team when they need to
reach the Managing Director or need direction.
Administration and operations support
• Manage incoming correspondence, emails and calls — filtering, prioritising and
drafting responses where appropriate.
• Coordinate travel, site visits and external meetings efficiently.
• Handle ad-hoc projects, research and tasks as directed — the kind of work that
currently sits on the Managing Director’s desk and shouldn’t.
Requirements for the Role
Essential
• Exceptional organisational skills — able to manage a busy, complex diary and competing
priorities without dropping anything.
• Commercially aware — understands how a service business works, what matters on a P&L,
and can read a financial report without needing it explained.
• Strong people skills and emotional intelligence — able to deal with a wide range of
people at all levels, inside and outside the business.
• Discreet and trustworthy — this is a close working role with access to sensitive
business information and conversations.
• A self-starter who takes initiative, spots what needs doing and acts without
being asked.
• Articulate and well-presented — able to communicate clearly in writing and in person, and
to represent the Managing Director professionally.
• Able to juggle multiple tasks and priorities without losing grip — calm, methodical
and reliable under pressure.
• Comfortable working closely alongside a hands-on owner-Managing Director — takes direction
well, voices a view when needed, and gets on with it.
• An early starter — comfortable with the pace and energy of a business that starts
early and moves fast.
• Able to provide references from previous employers who can speak to their
reliability, discretion and work ethic.
Desirable
• Experience working in a field-based or technical service business — fire, security,
electrical, construction or similar.
• Previous experience as an EA or PA to a senior leader in a fast-paced SME environment.
• Familiarity with CRM, job management or pipeline tracking tools.
• Experience supporting a sales or operational pipeline — tracking quotes, chasing
conversions, reporting on progress.
The Package
The role is based at our Cheltenham head office (Bamfurlong), with travel to client
sites and our regional offices as required.
Dependent on the candidate’s skills and experience, we are offering a salary of
£40,000–£50,000 per annum, along with our company benefits package. This is a
close working role based at our Cheltenham head office, working directly
alongside the Managing Director.
Application Details
Please submit your CV to the following address:
Edward Stallard – Managing Director
A&E Fire & Security Ltd
Unit 4 Bamfurlong Industrial Park
Staverton, Cheltenham
Gloucestershire, GL51 6SX
Or alternatively email –