Executive & Policy Assistant
Permanent
Hybrid working - Westminster office
Competitive salaries and excellent benefits including up to one day's paid leave each year to undertake volunteering opportunities
The Manufacturers' Organisation | Make UK
Make UK is the UK’s leading trade body for the manufacturing and engineering sector. We represent 20,000 companies across engineering, manufacturing, and technology – from start-ups to multinationals – helping British industry to compete, innovate, and grow.
We’re looking for an Executive & Policy Assistant to provide high-level support to one of our Executive Directors and Chief Financial Officer. This unique role combines traditional executive assistant responsibilities with hands-on involvement in policy and external affairs, offering a fantastic opportunity to work at the heart of a national organisation influencing government and industry. The role will contribute to the drafting, coordination, and quality assurance of policy papers, consultation responses, and briefing materials.
Responsibilities
Executive Support
* Proactively manage the Executive Director and CFO’s diary, inbox, and correspondence, ensuring priorities are managed effectively.
* Coordinate relevant executive meetings and committees, including preparation of agendas, briefings, and presentations, and follow-up of agreed actions.
* Support Board and committee processes, including the timely preparation and circulation of papers and accurate recording of minutes as necessary.
* Act as a first point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring a professional and efficient service at all times.
* Undertake confidential tasks with the highest levels of discretion and judgement.
* Support the Director of Policy and Public Affairs to organise internal workshops for the Policy & External Affairs team.
* Manage all other administrative tasks for the Executive Director of Policy and CFO as appropriate e.g. booking of travel, managing expense claims etc
Policy Support
* Working with the Executive Director and Policy and External Affairs team to prepare presentations for external audiences including Make UK’s Regional Advisory Board
* Supporting where needed the Government Affairs team on organisation of roundtables and events.
* Contributing to policy briefings for meetings of senior leaders with government ministers and officials
* Contributing ideas to social media campaigns and other published content
* Research and contribute evidence to policy analysis and engage with internal stakeholders on improvement and compliance processes
* Providing ad hoc support on other relevant policy issues
* Working with the Comms Executive to inform internal and external audiences of Make UK’s campaigning activities.
* Work alongside Make UK’s events team to support in delivering policy and government affairs focused webinars and events.
* Manage shared databases including the team’s resourcing planning document
Person Specification
Required
* Significant experience as an Executive Assistant, PA, or similar role at senior leadership level.
* Exceptional organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure.
* Strong written communication skills, with demonstrable experience drafting reports, briefings, or professional/policy papers.
* High level of accuracy and attention to detail in both written and administrative work.
* Strong research and analytical capability of policy submissions, able to interpret and synthesise complex information.
* Professionalism, discretion, and the ability to handle sensitive information with integrity.
* Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook
Desirable
* Knowledge of parliamentary and policy-making processes in the UK
* Prior experience supporting policy, public affairs, or strategy functions.
* Understanding of governance processes and Board-level operations.
With over 125 years of experience, Make UK is a leading provider of essential business support and a champion for manufacturing industry in the UK. Make UK has the close ear of Government and is a trusted provider of essential services for world leading manufacturing companies across the country. Everything we do is designed to inspire British manufacturers to compete, innovate and grow.
Make UK staff enjoy a good benefits package and values a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Benefits to include, but not limited to: Free parking, meal service on site, no bank holiday/weekend work, flexible hours, health cover, matched pension contributions up to 8%, and life assurance.
We are committed to supporting the Armed Forces Community and we recognise the contribution that Service personnel, both regular and reservist, veterans and military families make to our organisation and have pledged to support this by signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant.
Our Values at Make UK: Inclusivity & Diversity, Integrity, Innovation, & Collaboration
To apply for this role, please apply or send your CV through to Kerry at kcritchell@insignistalent.com
Due to volume of applications, if you do not hear back within 5 working days please assume that you have been unsuccessful at this time.