About us
Halfords is on a journey - building the future of motoring and cycling and looking for people who want to help shape what comes next. We’re a place for co‑creators: people who want to make a real impact, take ownership and be part of something that’s still evolving.
That means real variety for our colleagues, along with the opportunity to learn, stretch and develop as the business moves forward. Whatever your role, you’ll be part of a team focused on delivering exceptional service - using your expertise to solve problems, guide customers and help keep the nation moving with confidence.
About the role
This is a highly influential Executive Assistant role, operating as a strategic partner to the Managing Director and enabling the leadership team to perform at their best through focus, coordination and execution. You'll be a trusted business partner at the heart of the leadership team, helping to drive focus, accountability and execution across a fast-paced and growing business.
You'll ensure the MD's time is invested where it has the greatest impact, managing priorities, anticipating needs and helping turn strategic plans into meaningful actions. You'll become an integral part of the Autocentre & Mobile Network team, building strong relationships across the business and playing a key role in keeping priorities on track.
From coordinating and leading key business rhythms, events and leadership activities to supporting major initiatives and helping remove roadblocks, you'll bring structure, pace and organisation to a dynamic environment. You'll also help foster engagement and connection across the business, supporting the culture and ways of working that enable teams to perform at their best.
Key responsibilities
- Act as a trusted business partner to the Managing Director - Autocentres & Mobile Network, ensuring time and focus are directed towards the highest-priority activities.
- Proactively manage a complex diary, travel arrangements and shifting priorities, anticipating needs, planning ahead and making informed decisions to maximise effectiveness and adapt seamlessly to changing business demands.
- Drive accountability across the leadership team, ensuring actions, commitments and decisions are progressed and delivered.
- Build strong working relationships across the Autocentre & Mobile Network leadership team, wider support functions and operational network.
- Lead the coordination of leadership meetings, business planning cycles, governance activities and reporting, ensuring actions are tracked and priorities stay on course.
- Lead the coordination of key people initiatives, leadership events, colleague engagement activities and business communications that strengthen connection, alignment and culture across the Autocentres and Mobile Network business areas.
- Help identify risks, bottlenecks and opportunities, joining the dots across multiple workstreams and stakeholders.
- Support priority projects and initiatives, helping to maintain momentum and remove obstacles.
- Contribute to team culture, recognition and colleague engagement activities across the Autocentre and Mobile Network teams.
- Occasionally accompany the Managing Director on visits across the Autocentre and Mobile Network to strengthen understanding of the operation and build relationships with colleagues.
About you
You'll be highly organised, commercially aware and comfortable operating at pace within a busy leadership environment. You naturally build credibility with senior stakeholders, anticipate what is needed and aren't afraid to challenge constructively when required.
We're open to considering candidates from a variety of backgrounds. Whilst Executive Assistant experience would be valuable, we're equally interested in individuals with transferable backgrounds who can demonstrate exceptional organisation, stakeholder management, commercial awareness and business partnering skills.
You'll bring:
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to quickly build trusted relationships.
- Exceptional organisational and planning capability, with strong attention to detail.
- Experience coordinating multiple priorities, complex schedules, meetings and events.
- The confidence to influence, challenge and hold others to account constructively.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to bring clarity to complex situations.
- Strong commercial awareness and judgement when prioritising competing demands.
- A proactive mindset, anticipating needs and taking ownership with minimal direction.
- Discretion and professionalism when handling confidential or sensitive information.
- Strong Microsoft 365 skills, including PowerPoint, with an interest in using AI and digital tools to improve effectiveness and efficiency.
Reward & benefits
- A fair and competitive salary evaluated against market data, annual discretionary bonus scheme, pension, life assurance, 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and enhanced family leave.
- Commitment and dedication to your ongoing personal and professional development. We help you to own and grow your potential so you can be at your best in your current role and to support your future career aspirations.
- You will have access to a wealth of employee discounts across the Halfords suite of products and services.
- Wellbeing and inclusion are at the heart of our colleague experience. We offer resources and ongoing support to enhance your wellbeing at work and active Colleague Networks supporting inclusion initiatives across Halfords.
Not sure you meet all the criteria? We'd encourage you to take the wheel and apply anyway! At Halfords we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for our colleagues. We're an equal opportunities employer and proud to welcome applications from all backgrounds and embrace diversity within our one Halfords Family.
This is a hybrid role, with three days per week based at our Support Centre in Redditch. As a key partner to the Managing Director, you'll also spend time visiting garages / hubs and supporting events across the business, helping you build strong relationships, understand operational priorities and stay close to the colleagues and customers at the heart of our success.
