Executive Assistant (to the Founder & CEO)

We're building the UK's next generation engineering powerhouse, providing critical technology that strengthens national security and resilience.

We specialise in turning advances in sensing, AI, and communications into operational capability for the edge, where connectivity may be degraded or denied. Our work focuses on accelerating the deployment of technology, improving decision-making for frontline teams, and protecting people and critical assets in demanding environments.

Headquartered in Bristol, Rowden employs over 200 people and operates over 20,000 square feet of engineering and manufacturing facilities. Recognised in the Financial Times FT1000 as one of Europe's fastest-growing engineering businesses, there has never been a better time to join.

The Role

We are looking to hire an Executive Assistant to operate as a trusted partner to our Founder and CEO, Rob Harper, in a uniquely exciting and challenging role.

This is a high-ownership role at the centre of a fast-moving, scaling business: you'll be stretched into new territory, trusted to make complex judgement calls, and expected to create the order, precision and pace that enables Rob and the wider leadership team to operate at their best.

The role is wide-ranging, including inbox management, international travel, meeting preparation, event planning, coordinating strategic initiatives, and the countless details in between. You'll work closely with our Executive Team to align schedules with business priorities and take responsibility for driving clear, consistent communication across the company.

You'll be joining a collaborative, highly motivated team that has each other's backs, in an environment that moves fast and shifts by the day. This isn't a role for someone who needs regular direction. We're looking for a self-starter who solves problems before they surface and has the judgment to act as a true extension of a business leader in a fast-moving environment.

Success here means going above and beyond to maximise order, efficiency and pace, freeing the team to focus on the work that really moves the needle. For the right person, this is an incredible growth opportunity.

This is a high-trust position where strict confidentiality is non-negotiable. It requires flexibility: responsiveness during evenings and weekends, plus occasional UK and international travel. We plan ahead wherever possible, but adaptability is part of the role.

This role will require 5 days per week on site in our Bristol based office.

Relocation Assistance: A relocation support package is available for eligible candidates.

Candidates must be eligible for SC clearance.

More information about security clearance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels

Key areas of responsibility

Support strategic priorities

• Coordinate logistics across high-stakes company initiatives - tracking action items, deadlines, and document flow between the CEO, executive team, and external parties.
• Draft first-pass correspondence on the CEO's behalf for sensitive or high-profile communications, ready for his review and refinement.
• Keep a live view of the CEO's open commitments and follow-ups across the business, surfacing what's at risk of slipping before it becomes urgent.

Maintain inbox & calendar

• Run a fast-moving diary without direction, pre-empting clashes and aligning priorities without waiting for instruction.
• Triage, prioritise, and respond to emails confidently, capturing the right tone for any audience.
• Spot sensitive or urgent matters early and escalate appropriately.

Master complex travel & logistics

• Plan and execute multi-leg international/domestic travel, including visas, clearances, and contingency planning.
• Oversee expenses in a timely, accurate and pragmatic fashion.

Deliver seamless customer & visitor engagements

• Own end-to-end visitor experiences: agendas, pre-reads, bios, site access, hospitality, and AV.
• Capture and circulate crisp notes and actions; send polished follow-ups.

Go above and beyond

• Constantly find ways to lighten burden, anticipate needs, and elevate executive effectiveness.
• Be obsessive about every detail: from the way an email is worded, to how a visitor is greeted, to the appearance of the office day to day. Every touchpoint should reflect precision, professionalism, and care.

Key skills, experience and behaviours

You'll fit right in if you're passionate about creating structure, anticipating needs, and keeping momentum in a high-tempo, high-stakes environment.

Essential

• Proven track record managing complexity and pace with precise execution.
• Comfortable being available evenings/weekends to keep aligned with executive workflow.
• Confident managing inboxes, calendars, and customer-facing engagements at volume.
• Tech-savvy and quick to adopt new tools. Comfortable navigating core Microsoft Office tools (Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel) and LLMs to quickly conduct research, prepare presentation materials, or proofread work for accuracy.
• Skilled at planning complex travel and adjusting to changes at speed.
• Strong communicator (written and verbal), using appropriate tone to match the audience.
• High integrity and discretion, especially with sensitive matters.

Desirable

• Experience supporting senior leaders or high-tempo teams (not necessarily titled PA/EA).
• Familiarity with preparing agendas and refining meeting materials.
• Exposure to corporate transactions, governance processes, and working alongside legal/finance advisors (helpful, not required).

Behaviours That Matter

Ownership mentality: You take responsibility for outcomes, not just individual tasks.

Obsessed with details: You hold yourself to a very high bar on everything from spelling to travel to the experience of a guest at Rowden.

Organised and disciplined: You create checklists and systems to ensure nothing is missed.

Strong communicator: Proactive, articulate and confident picking up the phone or sending a text to get something done quickly.

Calm under pressure: You stay calm and composed when things change unexpectedly.

Warm, professional presence: You represent the team with credibility and positivity.

Working at Rowden

We are committed to building a flexible, inclusive, and enabling company. Our aim is to create a diverse team of talented people with unique skills, experience, and backgrounds, so please apply and come as you are!

Rowden is a Disability Confident Committed company, and we actively encourage people with disabilities and health conditions to apply for our roles. Please let us know your requirements early on so that we can make sure you have everything you need up front to help make the recruitment process and experience as easy as possible.

Finally, if you feel that you don’t meet all the criteria included above but have transferable skills and relevant experience, we’d still love to hear from you!