South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Executive Assistant to Executive Director of Finance & Infrastructure

The closing date is 21 April 2026

Job summary

The Executive Assistant role supports a senior and highly visible Executive Director portfolio. The role is pivotal in providing high quality administrative support in a fast-paced and varied environment. The role is closely connected to Trust-wide priorities and decision-making. The role sits alongside an experienced Executive Office Team, where collaboration, professionalism and mutual support are essential. The team provides cross-cover support and resilience to each other. The post holder will work closely with Executive Directors, Senior Leaders and wider across the Trust as well as with external stakeholders. The successful candidate will need to value discretion, be reliable, flexible, have high standards and provide attention to detail. The team is trusted with highly sensitive information and supports complex, high-profile work, requiring confidence, sound judgement and the ability to manage competing priorities effectively. The team places importance on team working, development and continuous improvement. The role would be suited to someone who enjoys being at the centre of organisational activity and who takes pride in their work.

Please note this vacancy is open to internal applicants only.

Main duties of the job

Provide high-quality Executive Assistant support to the Executive Director of Finance and Infrastructure and two other Executive Directors/Directors. Handling highly sensitive and confidential information.

Manage the Executive Director's office, including diary management, email prioritisation, correspondence handling, filing systems and bring-forward arrangements.

Provide professional administrative and secretariat support to senior executive-level meetings, including preparation of papers, accurate minute-taking, maintenance of action logs and follow-up of actions.

Coordinate work, projects and distinct pieces of activity across for the Executive Director/Director.

Maintain Directorate registers, plans, and compliance reporting, supporting governance, performance monitoring and organisational change activity.

Act as a key point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, dealing professionally with enquiries, correspondence and highly confidential communications.

Plan and organise senior executive-level events, strategy days, conferences and meetings, including travel, accommodation and liaison with venues and support services.

Support financial administration processes, including invoice approvals and expense claims, ensuring timely and accurate submission in line with Trust systems and policies.

Provide resilience and support within the Executive Office Team.

About us

Working for us is an experience like no other. We provide emergency and urgent care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, operating across the largest ambulance region in England and responding to an average of 2,650 incidents every day.

We remain committed to ensuring that we provide the best possible care for all our patients, which is reflected in our new five-year strategy which has continually improving patient care at its very core.

The role is based in Exeter, one of the most vibrant, attractive and historically interesting cities in England, with excellent transport links and a great mix of independent shops, cafes and bars.

If you embody our values of one team, compassionate and innovative and are looking to make a real difference to peoples' lives, then we would love to hear from you.

In return we will equip you with the skills and resources you need to thrive in your role.

You will have opportunities to progress to roles across the Trust and enjoy continuous professional development.

Benefits

  • Competitive NHS salary
  • A standard working week of 37.5 hours
  • Holiday entitlements of 27 days per year, plus general and public holidays, rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
  • Pay enhancements for out of hours, shift and overtime working
  • Generous Pension Scheme
  • Career and salary progression
  • Car leasing scheme
  • Free parking across Trust sites
  • Staff networks
  • Wide range of discounts from various organisations across the UK

Details

Date posted

14 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£32,073 to £39,043 a year per annum

Contract

Secondment

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

202-7916146

Job locations

Trust HQ

Abbey Court

Exeter

EX2 7HY


Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information about this role please see the attached job description and person specification.

PLEASE NOTE: Internal candidates are asked to seek approval from their current SWASFT line manager prior to applying for this secondment opportunity.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information about this role please see the attached job description and person specification.

PLEASE NOTE: Internal candidates are asked to seek approval from their current SWASFT line manager prior to applying for this secondment opportunity.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

  • Good educational achievements, preferably a Degree or equivalent qualification/ experience
  • 5 GCSEs (Grade C or above) including English Language or equivalent
  • Full Driving license
Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

  • Good educational achievements, preferably a Degree or equivalent qualification/ experience
  • 5 GCSEs (Grade C or above) including English Language or equivalent
  • Full Driving license

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Trust HQ

Abbey Court

Exeter

EX2 7HY


Employer's website

https://www.swast.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Trust HQ

Abbey Court

Exeter

EX2 7HY


Employer's website

https://www.swast.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Business Manager to Chief Executive

Julie Smalley

julie.smalley@swast.nhs.uk

07816076697

Details

Date posted

14 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£32,073 to £39,043 a year per annum

Contract

Secondment

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

202-7916146

Job locations

Trust HQ

Abbey Court

Exeter

EX2 7HY


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