Executive assistant to the chief executive

Closing date for applications: Monday 9th March 2026 9am

Salary: £31,098

Location: Based across Leeds Heritage Theatres venues with some flexibility

Department: Executive Office

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Be at the heart of Leeds’ iconic theatres, supporting the CEO and senior team to deliver exceptional arts experiences.

Leeds Heritage Theatres is the custodian of three of the city's most iconic venues: Leeds Grand Theatre – A cornerstone of the city’s cultural life and a landmark of Victorian elegance, The Grand hosts world-class drama, musicals, opera and dance. City Varieties Music Hall – Known for its rich music hall heritage, today the City Varieties offers a vibrant programme of comedy, cabaret, spoken word and live music. Hyde Park Picture House – One of the world’s last surviving gaslit cinemas is home to independent, international and archival cinema, offering a unique and enriching film experience. Together, these venues make a vital contribution to the cultural life of Leeds.

As a charitable organisation, our vision is: Leeds Heritage Theatres will be a hub of creativity, celebrating the work of local, national and international artists and the human connection of arts and culture. Our work will be underpinned by excellence, skill, inclusivity, collaboration, learning and generosity, and will be visible at home in Leeds but regionally, nationally and virtually. Our physical and digital sites will be places of congregation, engagement, excitement and welcome. We will always be future-facing and outwardsfacing, whilst recognising our heritage and our history

What you'll be doing

Leeds Heritage Theatres is seeking an outstanding Executive Assistant to provide high-level support to the Chief Executive and coordinate work across the Senior Leadership Team. This pivotal role ensures the smooth running of the Executive Office and supports delivery of our Strategic Plan.

• You will manage the CEO’s complex diary and inbox, prepare briefings, speeches and presentations, and ensure they are fully prepared for meetings and public engagements.
• You will organise SLT meetings and strategy sessions, take accurate minutes, track actions, and support reporting to the Board.
• You will also assist with stakeholder engagement, including coordinating guest lists, advocacy tracking and supporting key events.
• You will help maintain effective office systems and resources.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for someone with experience in a senior administrative or executive support role, confident managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. You will be highly organised, discreet, proactive and an excellent communicator, able to build strong relationships internally and externally.

Essential

• Experience in a senior-level administrative or executive support role.
• Strong organisational skills with a proactive approach to managing multiple priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to deal sensitively with senior stakeholders and external contacts.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely for a range of audiences.
• Highly skilled in taking accurate minutes, organising meetings and tracking actions. • Proven discretion in managing confidential information.
• Skilled in Microsoft Office and digital communication tools.
• Calm under pressure, with excellent attention to detail and the ability to plan.
• A positive, flexible and collaborative approach to working in a busy, creative environment.
• Commitment to the vision, values and charitable purpose of Leeds Heritage Theatres.

Desirable

• Experience working in a charitable, arts or heritage organisation.
• Familiarity with governance structures or trustee liaison.
• Understanding of Leeds’ cultural and civic landscape.
• Experience in event planning or project coordination.
• Experience of Artifax (venue management system), Spektrix (ticketing system) and Dynamics (finance system)

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are under-represented in the creative industries.

Please make sure that you state in your application that you found this role via Creative Access.