Executive Assistant
Note: This is not a GLA role; this is an OSDC role
The Oxford Street Development Corporation
You will be joining an organisation whose work is helping to shape the future of one of London’s most iconic places. The Oxford Street Development Corporation has been established to lead the long-term regeneration and transformation of Oxford Street and its surrounding area to deliver a world-class public realm and safer, cleaner streets, and to supporting high-quality development, culture and economic activity that keeps the area thriving. Our OSDC Board is setting out the strategic direction of the organisation and brings diverse insight and cross-sector expertise including retail, property, leisure, fashion, music, theatre, media, law and politics. Your will be joining a rapidly growing organisation fully dedicated to restore Oxford Street to its former glory and to shape its exciting next chapter.
About the role
To provide high level executive support services to the OSDC’s CEO and Directors. Using knowledge of the OSDC, our senior leaders and their priorities, this job will help to optimise the effectiveness of our executive team by working in partnership with key stakeholders and providing a professional proactive support service.
What your day will look like
- Provide a full range of high-level strategic, administrative and executive support, including query resolution, contact prioritisation, diary management, meeting coordination, and organising travel and accommodation.
- Be the first point of contact, acting as the ‘gatekeeper’ for the CEO and Director’s schedules, dealing with incoming enquiries with respect and confidentiality, ensuring routine enquiries are routed to the appropriate managers, and delegating or escalating to key officers as required.
- Keep abreast of the priorities and key work of the CEO and Directors, understanding where items should be flagged for consideration or where new information may pose a challenge to plans, timelines or deliverables.
- Develop and maintain key lines of communication and working relationships with both external and internal stakeholders to support the CEO and Directors in their roles.
- Support the CEO and Directors in people related activities, such as administrative recruitment/onboarding actions and finance related activities, such as raising purchase orders, and processing and approving expenses.
- Ensure that the CEO and Directors are properly briefed on the agenda in advance of all meetings of the OSDC and its related organisations as appropriate, requesting briefings from key officers as required, and providing relevant available material on actions, decisions or reports.
- Organise and maintain own systems for the storage and retrieval of information, file documents, arrange and/or undertake, as appropriate, document production services.
- Support the CEO and Directors to manage a thriving team, including coordinating team meetings, away days or strategy sessions as needed, and ensuring key information is distributed to OSDC staff on events, changes and key issues.
- Realise the benefits of London's diversity by promoting and enabling equality of opportunities and promoting the diverse needs and aspirations of London's communities.
- Realise the benefits of a flexible approach to work in undertaking the duties and responsibilities of this job and participating in multi-disciplinary cross-department and cross-organisational groups and project teams.
Skills, knowledge and experience
To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:
- Experience of working in a similar position in a high-profile organisation, providing high-level executive support to senior leadership.
- Demonstrable experience of dealing effectively and professionally with internal and external stakeholders of all levels.
- Experience in drafting briefings, agendas and other key business management documentation, and experience of producing professional written correspondence on behalf of senior managers.
- Experience of developing and implementing systems and processes to deliver administrative management and confidential file management.
- Exceptional attention to detail and experience of managing multiple complex diaries within a busy environment.
Behavioural Competencies
Building and managing relationships
is developing rapport and working effectively with a diverse range of people, sharing knowledge and skills to deliver shared goals.
Level 2 indicators of effective performance
- Develops new professional relationships
- Understands the needs of others, the constraints they face and the levers to their engagement
- Understands differences, anticipates areas of conflict and takes action
- Fosters an environment where others feel respected
- Identifies opportunities for joint working to minimise duplication and deliver shared goals
Planning and organising
is thinking ahead, managing time, priorities and risk, and developing structured and efficient approaches to deliver work on time and to a high standard
Level 1 indicators of effective performance
- plans and prioritises own workload to meet agreed deadlines
- advises colleagues or manager early of obstacles to work delivery
- perseveres and follows work through to completion
- checks for errors to ensure work is delivered to a high standard first time
- effectively juggles priorities
Problem solving
is analysing and interpreting situations from a variety of viewpoints and finding creative, workable and timely solutions
Level 1 indicators of effective performance
- breaks down work issues, seeking further information if necessary
- provides workable solutions to solve immediate work problems
- makes suggestions and implements improvements to personal work processes
- actively supports new initiatives and tries different ways of doing things
- learns from others’ experience
Responding to pressure and change
is being flexible and adapting positively, to sustain performance when the situation changes, workload increases, tensions rise or priorities shift.
Level 1 indicators of effective performance
- stays calm in pressurised and demanding situations
- responds flexibly to changing circumstances
- recognises when unable to cope and asks others for help
- demonstrates openness to changing work priorities and deadlines
- maintains personal well-being and achieves a balance between work and home life
Organisational awareness
is understanding and being sensitive to organisational dynamics, culture and politics across and beyond the OSDC and shaping our approach accordingly
Level 1 indicators of effective performance
- understands the structure and statutory responsibilities of the OSDC
- understands how own role and work contributes to team and organisational objectives
- understands the role of the OSDC, and its wider family – the GLA, the Mayor and the Assembly - in relation to Londoners
- is sensitive to the culture and political context of the OSDC and uses it to work effectively
- treats OSDC information as sensitive and confidential
The GLA Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: GLA Competency Framework
This role is based at 19-23 Wells Street, London W1T 3PQ with an expectation of Hybrid working in the office 2/3 days a week.
How to apply
If you would like to apply for the role you will need to submit the following:
- Up to date CV
- Personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words. Please ensure you address how you demonstrate the essential criteria outlined above in the advert.
Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement have a maximum file size of 1.5MB each and upload your Personal Statement to the ‘CV and Cover Letters’ section’ of the form, ensuring you address the technical requirements and competencies in your Personal Statement.
Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images. Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement are saved with the job reference number as part of the naming convention (E.g., “CV – applicant name - 012345)
As part of OSDC’s continuing commitment to be an inclusive and equal opportunity employer we will be removing personal identifiable information from CVs and Personal Statements that could cause discrimination.
If you have questions about the role
If you wish to talk to someone about the role, the hiring manager Holly Jennings would be happy to speak to you. Please contact them at holly.jennings@oxfordstreet.org.uk
If you have any questions about the recruitment process, contact the glaopdcrecruitment@tfl.gov.uk who support the OSDC with recruitment.
Assessment process
Once you have submitted an application, your details will be reviewed by a panel.
If shortlisted, you’ll be invited to an interview which will consist of a short presentation and competency based questions. The topic of the presentation will be communicated ahead of the interview.
The interview date is w/c 25th May 2026.
The top ranking candidates will proceed to a final stage interview with member(s) of our Executive Committee.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
London's diversity is its biggest asset, and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.
We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share.
Please note we are a Disability Confident Employer so for candidates who wish to be considered under the scheme and meet the essential criteria, they will automatically be invited to interview. Please note, should you require any adjustments through the process, we will accommodate as much as possible. Please contact the recruitment team for further information if required.
Benefits
OSDC staff are hybrid working 2/3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.
In addition to a good salary package, you will be paid every four weeks, providing frequent salary payments. We also offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.
Additional Information
Please note, all candidates will need to confirm that the information provided in this application form is true and correct. Should a candidate deliberately give false information, including the use of AI software, they understand that this would disqualify them from consideration.
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record (DBS) check but some roles may require additional security screening.