Senior Executive Assistant
Scottish GovernmentThe Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) is an Agency of the Scottish Government responsible for the assessment and payment of student financial support for Scottish Students studying within the UK.
SAAS administer budgets of around £1.4 billion each year, making payments to both higher education institutions and over 160,000 students a year. We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that is representative of the clients we serve.
This appointment sits within SAAS’ Corporate Office, which is responsible for coordinating executive activity, supporting governance structures, and ensuring effective communication across SAAS. The Senior Executive Assistant is a key role within this function, responsible for delivering high-quality executive support and maintaining continuity of business during a critical period.
We are seeking an experienced and highly organised individual to join our Corporate Office as a Senior Executive Assistant on a fixed-term maternity cover basis.
This is a high-profile role providing essential executive, governance and corporate support to the Chief Executive, Directors and Non-Executive Board Members. The postholder will play a central role in supporting strategic decision-making and ensuring the effective running of executive and governance functions across the organisation.
This role is available on lateral tranfser only.
Responsibilities
- Providing strategic executive support to the Chief Executive and Directors, exercising initiative and maintaining confidentiality.
- Managing executive diaries, correspondence, and group mailboxes, ensuring timely and effective handling of business.
- Leading secretariat support for Executive Team and Board meetings, including agenda planning, minute-taking, and tracking actions.
- Acting as a key interface between senior leadership and internal/external stakeholders.
- Maintaining corporate governance records and assurance documentation in line with required standards.
- Supporting the coordination of ministerial and corporate business.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
Demonstrable experience of supporting senior leaders at executive level
Strong communication skills (written and verbal), including experience of minute-taking
Ability to prioritise effectively, manage competing demands, and deliver under pressure
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, SharePoint, PowerPoint)
Experience of handling sensitive/confidential information with discretion
Success Profile – Behaviours
You will be assessed against the following Civil Service behaviours:
Communicating and Influencing
Managing a Quality Service / Improving Performance
Seeing the Big Picture / Analysis and Use of Evidence
Qualifications
Working Pattern
SAAS operates a 35‑hour working week with flexible and hybrid working options. Our hybrid model requires colleagues to attend the office six days per month, which includes one set day per week and two additional ad‑hoc days each month, scheduled according to business needs. SAAS also observes its own public holiday schedule and is fully closed between Christmas and New Year.
How to apply
Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 500 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above.
Sponorship
Skilled Worker sponsorship is not available for this role. As a result, we are unable to appoint candidates who require Skilled Worker sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK.
Further Information
As this role works closely with the SAAS Chief Executive, candidates selected for interview will be invited to an informal follow-up discussion with them.
For further information about the role, please contact the Hiring Manager: Sam Skinner samantha.skinner@gov.scot