[ref. c69126500] PA to the Institute Director

Pay Rate: £15.19 per hour

About the Role

We are currently seeking a proactive and highly organised Institute PA to join a busy academic institute in Manchester. This is a key administrative role, supporting the Institute Director and leadership team to ensure the effective day-to-day running of the Institute.

The successful candidate will be responsible for high-level diary management, the coordination of meetings and events, and the organisation of complex travel arrangements for the Institute Director. In addition to supporting the leadership team, the role involves a range of administrative responsibilities across finance, estates, and general office processes.

This is a great opportunity for an experienced PA or senior administrator who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys working across a variety of tasks and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive diary management for the Institute Director
• Organise and coordinate meetings, events, and visitor programmes
• Arrange complex UK and international travel and accommodation
• Maintain accurate records and office systems in line with data protection legislation
• Minute-taking and servicing of meetings, including arranging catering
• Support academic-related admin such as probation and promotion processes
• Assist with gathering information for research applications, publications, and teaching materials
• Respond to general queries and provide guidance on processes and procedures

• Raise purchase orders and manage invoices using internal finance systems
• Coordinate purchasing of IT equipment, software, and other goods
• Support with expense claims, card payments and finance-related queries
• Track and coordinate expenditure for Institute-related events

• Liaise with estates, IT, and professional services colleagues as needed
• Promote and follow all University policies and procedures, especially around health and safety and information governance
• Maintain a professional, discreet, and proactive approach in all tasks
• Provide occasional cover for the Institute Administrator role

Essential Experience and Skills:

• Experience providing PA support to senior staff, including diary and travel management
• Strong administrative background with excellent organisational and multitasking skills
• Confident working with finance systems and coordinating purchases
• Comfortable coordinating events and supporting office processes
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Able to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism
• A team player with a flexible and responsive approach
• Good IT skills, with a willingness to learn new systems
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and providing excellent service

Desirable:

• Working knowledge of systems such as Oracle, iProc, Key Travel, Discoverer, JobTrain, or Eventbrite
• Experience working in a university or large public-sector environment

To Apply: