PA/Admin Manager

Personal Assistant and Admin Manager

RCN UK HQ (London), Nottingham or Bolton office with hybrid working, 35 hours per week, permanent contract

There may be further flexibility to the locations advertised. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss which alternative office locations may be available.

At the Royal College of Nursing, we're an optimistic organisation. And we've got good reason to be. As the largest trade union of nursing staff and students in the UK - with over half a million members -we can see a brighter future ahead. Join us and you will too.  

RCN activists and workplace representatives are the lifeblood of our union and the voice of the nursing profession. They shape the health policies of the future by organising, lobbying and campaigning for positive change for the nursing profession, for patient care and for a better society. 

Our people are our greatest asset, and we want people who can contribute to our purpose in line with our values.

The role

To provide a comprehensive, professional and confidential Personal Assistant (PA) role to the Head of Activist Learning and Development, through the provision of efficient and effective secretarial, administrative and project administration duties, while working flexibly and collaboratively to support the wider team.

You will manage the administration of the learning programme in planning, member booking systems, reporting and aiding and advising colleagues within the team and across the organisation. In addition, you will line manage our admin colleagues within the team.

This is a varied and demanding role that will put you at the forefront of ensuring that the RCN's members have the influence in the workplace - and the world - that they need.

The person

To join us you'll need experience of providing administrative and PA support at a senior level.

You'll be able to demonstrate a record of being able to prioritise workloads, meet demanding deadlines and manage the work of others.

You will be able to show examples when you have shown leadership and responsible initiative.

Whatever your background, you'll be efficient, accurate, and show a capacity for strategic insight in all you do.

To succeed at the Royal College of Nursing all you need to do is think bigger, better and brighter. And with an attitude like that, anything's possible.

What we offer

We offer an impressive range of benefits, a broad range of learning development opportunities and an award-winning health and wellbeing programme. We offer annual leave up to 32 days plus bank holidays and three additional days for the Christmas break plus generous maternity, adoption, paternity, and shared parental leave packages.

We offer a competitive pay structure with annual pay progression until you reach the top of the salary scale. We normally offer new employees the first point of the salary range, although you may be able to negotiate a higher starting salary depending on your skills, experience and current salary.

We are a diverse organisation and understand everyone has different needs and many of our employees enjoy flexible working enabling them to deliver results whilst having a good work life balance. Our hybrid working model allows for up to 60% of your working time to be carried out from home. At least 40% of your working time will be spent working in person.

Our selection process

Please click the 'apply now' button to apply and answer the supporting questions online demonstrating how you meet the criteria for this role. You may not be shortlisted if you don't. Any identifying information in your application will automatically be anonymised for shortlisting purposes.

We want your experience applying for a job with us to be the best it can be. We can offer flexibility in how we conduct the interview and you are able to attend online if you need to. If you foresee any issues with accessing a computer, webcam, or internet connection for this, please do let us know.

Equal opportunities for everyone

Equity, diversity and inclusion are a priority for us and we aim to foster an inclusive environment so our people can bring their authentic selves to work. This is integral to our mission to enable you to support our members and ensure their voice is heard by all UK governments to get the best outcomes for them and their patients.

We have strong staff networks, a detailed EDI strategy and are actively striving to become an anti-racist organisation. We encourage applications from people of diverse backgrounds and identities.

As proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme we also actively encourage applications from people with disabilities.

Opening date: 23 April 2026

Closing date: 11:59pm 18 May 2026

Assessment and Interview date (at RCN UK HQ, London): 3 June 2026

Candidates will be asked to take part in timed assessments and a formal interview. We will gather information about any reasonable adjustment required ahead of the interview.