Executive Assistant – Newcastle
Job location: Newcastle Salary: c.£29,000 (plus potential for exceptional candidates) Type: Permanent
About the National Audit Office (NAO)
The NAO is the UK’s main public sector audit body. Independent of government, we audit the accounts of public sector bodies, examine the propriety of government spending, assess risks to financial control and accountability, and review the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of programmes, projects and activities. We report directly to Parliament through the Committee of Public Accounts of the House of Commons, which uses our reports as the basis of its own investigations. The NAO employs around 900 staff, most of whom are qualified accountants, trainees or technicians. They work in financial audit or value for money audit.
Why NAO?
The NAO welcomes applications from everyone. We value diversity in all its forms and the difference it makes to our organisation. By removing barriers and creating an inclusive culture all our people have the opportunity to develop and maximise their full potential. The NAO supports flexible working and is happy to discuss this with you at application stage.
Role Summary
The Executive Assistant will provide comprehensive support to Executive Directors, Directors and teams within NAO. The role requires a combination of organisational, communication and technical skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Key Responsibilities
* Diary management: internal appointments, engagement with external stakeholders
* Inbox management: prioritisation and action where appropriate
* Coordinate and manage meetings: agenda creation, paper distribution, minute taking and action management, briefing production
* Support internal and external events
* Provide wider team support and coordination
* Arrange local and overseas travel/itineraries (where appropriate)
* Maintain corporate management: business continuity, distribution lists, etc.
* Keep stakeholder contact details updated and manage communication on Merlin announcements, blogs, forums, training, mandatory, and code of conduct
* Greeting guests, registering at reception, organising hospitality
* Arrange team events and social activities
* Project and team management support: budget monitoring, milestone management, allocations, corporate compliance, project secretariat, SharePoint management, FOI handling, impact coordination
* Audit and analytic support: quality assurance, proof‑reading, news monitoring, audit check reviews, presentation writing and formatting, administrative financial audit support, document management via Huddle (FA/VFM)
* Wider office support: assisting trainee groups, maintaining day‑to‑day operations, reception cover, aiding IT equipment provision
Key Skills and Experience
* Strong organisational and prioritisation skills
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal)
* Time management and flexibility – a team player
* Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)
* Database management experience
* High accuracy and attention to detail
* Problem solving and logical thinking
How to Apply
* Submit your CV and a covering letter (no more than 2 sides of an A4 page) outlining how you meet the criteria above.
* To apply please submit your CV and Covering letter(no more than 2 sides of an A4 page) outlining how you meet the following criteria:
* Organisation & Prioritisation – Demonstrates the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently by setting clear priorities, maintaining structured workflows, and meeting deadlines consistently.
* Communication & Collaboration – Communicates clearly and professionally in both written and verbal formats, fostering positive working relationships and contributing effectively as part of a team.
* Technical Proficiency – Demonstrates the use of Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) and manages databases to support administrative and operational tasks.
* Accuracy & Problem Solving – Demonstrates high attention to detail and applies logical thinking to identify issues, analyse information, and implement effective solutions.
* Adaptability & Responsiveness – Demonstrates the ability to adapt to changing demands and team needs, adjusting priorities and approach to ensure continued productivity and support.
Work Arrangement
Due to the nature of this role, candidates will be expected to work from the Newcastle office a minimum of two days per week. There may also be occasions where an additional day in the office is required to support specific business needs.
Nationality Requirements
UK nationals & nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK, nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with (or eligible for) status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS). We are not able to sponsor work visas.
Equal Opportunities and Diversity
The NAO is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants with a disability who wish their application to be considered under the Disability Confident scheme should confirm this when submitting their application. Under this scheme we guarantee an interview to an applicant with a disability who meets the minimum requirements for the role. We also offer reasonable adjustments where required.
Contact
For questions on your nationality eligibility, contact us at hrservicedesk@nao.org.uk.
#J-18808-Ljbffr