Role Summary & Benefits

Full Time 37 hours per week

Location: County Hall, Exeter

Be the strategic force behind senior leadership at Devon County Council

Are you a proactive, highly organised professional who thrives in fast-paced, high-impact environments?

Step into a pivotal role where your expertise will help shape the future of public services across Devon.

Join Devon County Council as an Executive Personal Assistant and play a key role in supporting senior Leadership. This dynamic and influential role places you at the centre of strategic decision-making and operational delivery across the organisation.

This high-profile position demands exceptional communication, discretion, and strategic thinking. As part of a team of Executive PAs, you’ll manage complex diaries and inboxes, coordinate high-level meetings, and act as a key liaison between senior leaders, Cabinet Members, and external partners. You’ll be trusted to handle sensitive information, contribute to strategic planning, and support emergency response and business continuity efforts.

This is more than a traditional PA role, it’s your opportunity to be at the heart of change and service delivery across Devon.

What You’ll Bring:

To thrive in this role, you’ll bring:

• Willingness and ability to work from County Hall in Exeter five days a week, in line with the Directors’ working patterns and on-site responsibilities
• Experience working with senior leadership or elected members
• Ability to handle confidential and politically sensitive information
• Proven experience in executive support, minute-taking, and event coordination
• Advanced ICT skills and confidence in managing competing priorities
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• A calm, assertive, and highly organised approach
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with senior stakeholders

Key Responsibilities

Diary & Inbox Management

• Provide effective and intelligent diary and inbox management for the Directors and their Leadership Team

Meeting Support

• Manage senior leadership meetings, including forward planning and report preparation
• Attend confidential meetings and produce accurate records of discussions, decisions, and actions
• Prepare briefings and presentations for meetings

Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent the views of senior leadership with advanced communication skills
• Support Cabinet Members with written materials and communications
• Act as a key link between Cabinet Members and DCC staff
• Coordinate communications and maintain stakeholder relationships

Strategic & Operational Support

• Resolve unforeseen tasks and issues proactively
• Manage the Director’s personal office and outer office area
• Share guidance to staff and partners to progress directorate priorities
• Support strategic planning and evaluation of best practices
• Contribute to business continuity planning and incident response

Why Work for Devon County Council

We’re committed to creating a workplace where you can thrive, grow, and make a real impact. Here’s what we offer:

• Competitive pay rates
• Flexible working hours
• Excellent health & wellbeing culture
• Membership in the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Access to the Vivup employee benefits platform (includes lifestyle savings, home and electronic items, electric vehicle leasing, and more)
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Ongoing internal learning, development, and training opportunities
• 26 days of annual leave per year (increasing with length of service) plus Bank Holidays
• Employee Assistance Programme

Ready to make a real difference?

Apply today and help shape the future of Devon.

How to apply 

Please ensure when completing your application form that you provide a supporting statement which demonstrates how you meet the essential and desirable criteria as described in the person specification of the job description. Applications may not be taken forwards if the supporting statement is not adequately completed.

Internal Applicants, please note: If you are an existing DCC employee, please use your iTrent Employee Self Service (ESS) details to log in and apply.

Please click Apply Now to see further information.

• DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity webpages.
• Happy to Talk Flexible Working – The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.
• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
• This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with the Applicant privacy notice.
• For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page.
• We cannot consider visa sponsorship at this time. UK Right to Work is required. For further guidance on right to work in the UK, please visit: Work in the UK – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Key Responsibilities