Executive Assistant to Chatsworth House Trust Director & Development Department

About us

Located within the Peak District National Park, Chatsworth is home to the Devonshire family. It comprises a Grade I listed house and stables, a 105-acre garden, a 1,822-acre park, a farmyard and adventure playground, and one of Europe’s most significant private art collections. Chatsworth is also a registered charity. The Chatsworth House Trust was established in 1981 to look after the house, collections, garden, woodlands and park for benefit of everyone. Every penny of visitor admission income goes directly to the Trust.

Chatsworth plays an important role in the local community as a thriving cultural and educational destination, a nationally important historic landscape, and a working estate that operates with a mindful approach to the environment and sustainability.

The role

Chatsworth House Trust (CHT) is seeking to appoint an Executive Assistant to the newly appointed Director of Chatsworth House Trust, the role will also be responsible for supporting the Development department. The split of the role is anticipated to be approximately 60/40.

The Director of Chatsworth House Trust has responsibility for developing and delivering a compelling creative programme to reach and engage new audiences in the UK and globally; for increasing the social impact of the Trust’s activities and for the furthering public awareness of its charitable remit.

The Development department is responsible for securing funds from corporate sponsors, trusts and foundations, public bodies and individuals. We have an ambitious target to increase income from charitable giving over the next 3 – 5 years and as such, the objectives of the Director of CHT and the Development department are closely aligned.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Director of CHT and the Head of Development to provide a professional administrative service, co-ordinate meetings, keep minutes, draft letters and support VIP visitors and events.

Further details can be found on the job description attached to this advert.

About you

You will have demonstrable experience supporting at an Executive level. You will be an experienced administrator with exceptional IT and interpersonal skills with the confidence and self-assurance to take decisions, respond to enquiries and engage with the Family, Trustees, Senior Executive Team and the broader Devonshire Group team in an appropriate manner. You will have experience of managing diaries and effectively organising management information systems and keeping systematic records and sharing information. You must have experience of organising meetings and taking minutes and be happy to attend client-facing events.

You must have a keen interest in working in the area of Development and be willing to learn new skills

Working hours

Normal office hours are Monday – Friday 9am – 5.30pm. We operate a hybrid working policy and some working from home will be available. Evening and weekend work is likely from time to time for which time-off in lieu (TOIL) is available. As a 60/40 split, ideally three days per week will be spent in the office of the Director of CHT and two days in the Development department. Attendance at the Development Team weekly meeting will be required.

In return

As part of the wider Devonshire Group, owned by the Duke of Devonshire, which includes Chatsworth, Bolton Abbey, Lismore and the Devonshire Hotels & Restaurants Group, we are committed to ensuring the happiness and wellbeing of our staff and as such offer fantastic benefits which include:

• Competitive salary of circa £31,000 p.a.
• Free access to Chatsworth and Bolton Abbey
• Excellent personal development and career opportunities.
• Free entry to the Chatsworth fairs and many of the events
• An estate pass providing discount in our retail and catering establishments
• Membership of the Life Assurance Scheme
• Competitive annual leave (and option to buy more)
• Employee assistance programme
• Pension scheme
• Membership of the Life Assurance Scheme
• Free on-site parking

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to join us in this diverse and rewarding role.

Our core values include “Being Inclusive” and we particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates who are currently under-represented. We also welcome applicants from the LGBTQ+ community. Flexible ways of working will always be considered.