Personal Assistant & Commercial Coordinator
Location
Southampton
Function
Operations
Group
Business Support
Closing Date
29/10/2026
Job Reference
NOC12334
Personal Assistant & Commercial Coordinator
National Oceanography Centre, Southampton
Permanent
Full time (37 hours per week)
£36, 382
Who are we?
We are the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) - the UK’s leading institution for integrated coastal and deep ocean research. Through our ground-breaking research, collaboration, and game-changing innovation we work to gain a deeper understanding of our ocean, helping every living thing on our planet flourish.
We are made up of a dynamic and vibrant community focused on solving challenging long-term marine science problems, underpinning international and UK public policy, business and societal outcomes.
The ocean has the potential to provide the solutions to so many of the social, economic and environmental challenges we face worldwide. To truly harness the value of the ocean, we put ocean research, science and discovery at the heart of our culture.
Join us in shaping the future of oceanographic research and contribute your unique perspective to our organisation.
About the role
We are seeking a highly professional and proactive Personal Assistant and Commercial Coordinator to provide dedicated support to two senior members of staff: the Director of one of our functions and the Managing Director of NOC Innovations (NOCi), NOC’s trading subsidiary.
This is a varied and influential role requiring an experienced and skilled PA who can manage complex schedules, anticipate needs, prioritise effectively, and provide confident support across a range of senior-level activities. The postholder will be expected to work independently, exercise sound judgement, and engage with internal and external stakeholders on behalf of senior leaders.
In addition to providing high-level PA support, the role will help coordinate key commercial activities across NOCi This includes supporting the smooth running of commercial meetings, maintaining oversight of actions, opportunities and pipeline information, preparing reports and presentations, and helping to ensure that commercial priorities are coordinated, tracked and progressed at pace.
This role offers a unique opportunity to work closely with the senior leaders and teams who are central to NOC’s commercial growth, innovation activity and income diversification ambitions, and be a key driver of their success.
Director assignments may change as team needs evolve.
Key responsibilities include:
- Comprehensive and proactive PA support, including complex diary and inbox management, travel coordination, meeting preparation, briefings, reports and meeting papers.
- Secretariat and governance support, including agenda preparation, accurate minute-taking, recording decisions and tracking follow-up actions.
- Commercial coordination, including supporting commercial meetings, maintaining shared resources, monitoring actions, and assisting with CRM reporting and pipeline oversight.
- Internal and external stakeholder engagement, building strong relationships across senior leaders, customers, partners, commercial teams, the Executive Office, and wider NOC functions.
- Meeting coordination, logistical support and general administrative duties to ensure efficient day-to-day operations and continuous improvement of ways of working.
About you
This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced PA and coordinator who is confident supporting senior leaders and busy commercial teams.
You will bring professionalism, discretion and sound judgement, with the ability to manage competing priorities, coordinate complex diaries, meetings and travel, and provide proactive support. You will be highly organised, a strong communicator, and comfortable working with a range of stakeholders to keep information, actions and priorities moving forward effectively.
Why NOC?
We offer a generous set of benefits, including:
- 30 days contractual annual leave, plus 3.5 extra closure days and bank holidays
- a 10% employer contribution pension scheme (with a 15% NI saving on employee contributions made above 5%, if in the salary sacrifice scheme)
- Death in Service (3 times annual salary) provided by Aviva from day one of employment, plus access to a range of other Aviva wellbeing services
- financial support for relocation
- a salary sacrifice scheme for electric / hybrid vehicles (qualifying period applies)
- access to our Employee Assistance Programme, offering free and confidential support on mental, physical, emotional, health and financial issues
- access to a flexible benefits portal offering online discounts, cashback and eGift cards
- a Cycle2Work scheme allowing employees to acquire bikes and accessories
- a great working environment with a number of social events, including summer and Christmas celebrations
- we are proud to be a Living Wage Employer
Location
This position will be based in Southampton. The centre is well connected by public transport and has ample cycle parking in addition to free onsite car-parking with over 40 EV charging points.
We have a hybrid working approach where for most positions staff can work from home up to 2 days per week. If you are interested in this position, but require a more flexible working arrangement, please contact the recruitment team using the contact details below.
Submitting an application
Please click ‘Apply for this job’ and submit an up-to-date CV and cover letter highlighting your relevant experience and why you are interested in the position. Applications submitted without a cover letter may not be considered. If you are unable to apply online, please contact the NOC recruitment team at careers@noc.ac.uk / 07955 851648.
Before submitting your application please ensure you have reviewed the attached job description and person specification.
We are committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We actively encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply for this position, as we strive to create a supportive and equitable environment where all voices are valued and heard.
Those seeking employment at NOC are considered solely on their qualifications, skills and experience, without regard to gender, gender identity, age, race, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, relationship status, family status (including pregnancy / maternity leave) or any other protected characteristic.
There is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates who meet the minimum criteria of the position and declare a disability.
Date advert posted: 15 October 2026.
Closing date: 29 October 2026. This vacancy may close earlier depending on the number of applicants.
Please note we are not accepting applications via recruitment agencies for this position.