Applications are invited for the position of Senior Executive Assistant (SEA) based at the Royal Irish Academy (RIA).
Key info
Status Closing soon Department Programmes and Engagement Reporting to Head of Programmes and Engagement Contract type Permanent Salary €41,888 - €48,356 Close date 15:00 on 5 June 2026
Overview
The RIA is a predominantly publicly funded institution established for the promotion of learning in the sciences and humanities across the island of Ireland. The Academy’s latest strategic plan is available here: Strategic Plan – Royal Irish Academy (ria.ie) .
Key purpose of role
The Senior Executive Assistant provides administrative support across a varied range of Academy committees, programmes and events. This role requires excellent administrative, event management and people skills as well as the ability to communicate clearly and enthusiastically across the Academy and with a broad range of external stakeholders. You will be a team player with a positive professional approach, be highly organised, deadline-driven and a multitasker with a can-do attitude. You will have the ability to be discreet and maintain confidentiality and work flexibly in a fast-paced environment.
Key accountabilities
Provide a range of administrative supports to the Programmes and Engagement Department, and to members of the Senior Management Team as necessary (including diary management, workflow management, meeting organisation, correspondence and record keeping)
Support the work of the Academy’s governance, management and multidisciplinary committees, including drafting agendas, minutes and following up on actions
Support the management of the Academy awards and prizes portfolio, including assessment processes and award ceremonies
Support the management of the grants portfolio, including assessment, financial administration and reporting processes
Support the management of the membership processes for the Academy members and Young Academy Ireland members
Assist with the planning and organisation of Academy events, conferences and seminars (including liaising with suppliers and/or procurement, management of AV for recording and livestreaming, management of travel arrangements for speakers and financial administration). Evening work may occasionally be required to support these events
Assist with governance, risk and compliance activities
Liaise with stakeholders such as Academy members, committee members, assessors and colleagues from other Academy departments
Access and manage databases, records and correspondence relating to the work of the Academy
Assist with the delivery of Academy projects and initiatives, as required
Deal with enquiries from members of the public and staff in a timely manner
Undertake any other duties as deemed appropriate by the Line Manager within the scope of the role
Undertake any training as required to perform and develop the role
Person specification
A minimum of three years’ experience in a similar role
A relevant third-level qualification
Experience of project and/or event management
Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills with proven ability to prioritise work and meet deadlines
Ability to identify and implement effective and efficient processes and procedures to enhance the working environment
Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills, with an ability to work in an approachable and respectful manner with people at all levels across the Academy
The ability to be discreet and maintain confidentiality
Demonstrable experience of working on own initiative as well as part of a team
The ability to work flexibly and to adapt in a developing and changing work environment
Experience in the use of databases and/or customer relationship management (CRM) systems
Excellent IT skills, including proficiency in Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Teams and knowledge of WordPress or website editing
Proficiency in Irish
Experience of Salesforce
Experience working in an educational setting
Experience of creating social media content in a professional setting
Experience with live-streaming platforms such as Zoom or Teams as well as video-editing
Further Information
Salary: Salary is on the Senior Executive Assistant Scale €41,888 – €48,356. Candidates should note that entry will be at the minimum of the scale and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with government pay policy. Candidates should note that different pay and conditions may apply if, immediately prior to appointment, the appointee is a serving civil or public servant.
Hours of Work: The normal hours of work are 35 hours per week.
Overtime is not paid in respect of excess attendance which, should it arise, is discharged by time off in lieu at times agreed in advance with the Executive Director.
This role is suitable for blended working.
Leave: The annual leave entitlement is 22 days per annum, pro-rata for shorter periods. Entitlement to leave for public holidays is in accordance with the terms of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. There may be a requirement to take up to four days annual leave where the Academy is closed at Christmas.
Employee Benefits: Examples of some of our current employee benefits include:
Generous annual leave entitlement
Family friendly policies
Blended working policy
Availability of an optical benefit scheme
Availability of a cycle to work scheme
A range of learning and developmental opportunities
Sick leave scheme
Paid maternity, adoptive and paternity Leave
Automatically entered into a pension scheme
Employee assistance programme
Medical: Staff shall, if required, and at the expense of the Academy, submit to a medical examination by a registered medical practitioner nominated by the Academy and shall authorise such medical practitioner to disclose and to discuss with the Academy the results of the examination and the matters which arise from it so that the Academy can ascertain any matters that they consider might impair a staff member from properly discharging his/her duties.
Pension: Details of the appropriate pension scheme will be provided upon determination of appointee’s status.
Permanent Pension contribution: This appointment is subject to the Additional Superannuation Contribution (ASC) effective from 1 January 2019.
The Royal Irish Academy is an equal opportunities employer
#J-18808-Ljbffr