Assistant to CEO (Graduate opportunity)

Role: Assistant to the CEO

Location: UK, London

Job type: Full time, permanent – hybrid

This position offers a hybrid work model, allowing flexibility between working from home and our office. Typically, employees are expected to work 3 days in the office per week.

Please note: Applicants must have the existing right to work in the UK. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Why this role is great for graduates

At QS, our mission is to enable motivated people anywhere in the world to fulfil their potential through educational achievement, international mobility, and career development. This role is a direct reflection of that mission - because it is designed for someone at the very beginning of their career who is ready to learn fast, contribute meaningfully, and grow through exposure to senior leadership and global business challenges.

The Assistant to the CEO role offers a rare opportunity to step directly into the heart of a global organisation working across higher education. Rather than specialising in a single function, you will gain a broad, real-time view of how strategy is formed and executed across the business - how decisions are made, how priorities are set, and how we deliver impact for students, universities, and partners worldwide.

For a graduate, this is an exceptional platform for accelerated development. You will work closely with the CEO and executive leadership team, gaining first-hand insight into high-level decision-making while developing the core skills that underpin future leadership roles. These include executive communication, stakeholder management, structured problem-solving, commercial awareness, and the ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, complex environments.

Just as importantly, this role offers visibility and mentorship at the highest level of the organisation. You will be trusted with meaningful responsibility early on, supported to build confidence quickly, and encouraged to bring ideas, challenge thinking, and contribute to how we improve and evolve as a business.

Ultimately, this is not just an entry point into QS - it is a launchpad. For graduates who are ambitious, curious, and motivated to make an impact, it provides an unparalleled opportunity to learn how a global mission-driven organisation operates from the inside, and to grow in a way that directly reflects QS’s belief in unlocking potential through opportunity.

Why QS?

At QS, we believe that work should empower you. That’s why we foster a flexible working environment that encourages every employee to own their career whilst flourishing personally and professionally. Our company values underpin everything we do – we collaborate, respect and support each other.

It’s our mission to empower motivated people around the world to fulfil their potential through higher education, ensuring that everyone has access to opportunities that change lives.

Our diversity makes us stronger. By sharing our experiences, we learn from one another and achieve more together, driving progress across the sector.

At QS, you’ll be responsible for implementing real change in the international higher education landscape. You’ll take on meaningful challenges that see a positive impact across the business and the wider sector.

We’re confident you’ll feel right at home here. QS was named as one of Newsweek’s Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces® in the UK (October 2023), recognising the respect, trust and appreciation that drive our culture every day. And as a gold-accredited Investors in People organisation – putting us among the top 28% of workplaces globally – it’s official: QS is a place where everyone can thrive.

Role responsibilities 

Supporting the CEO day to day

Help manage the CEO’s diary, scheduling meetings and protecting focus time

Support inbox management by organising emails and flagging priorities

Prepare simple briefing packs, agendas, and meeting materials

Track key actions and follow up where needed

Supporting communications and engagement

Assist with preparing internal presentations and communications

Help coordinate town halls, leadership meetings, and engagement activities

Create clear, well-formatted PowerPoint slides and documents

Work with internal teams to ensure communications are timely and well organised

Providing core administrative support

Arrange travel bookings and manage simple expense processing

Support invoice processing and basic budget tracking

Maintain organised records and documentation

Ensure day-to-day admin tasks are completed accurately and on time

Improving ways of working

Suggest simple improvements to processes and team organisation

Help streamline administrative workflows where possible

Support the team in working efficiently and effectively

Confidentiality and professionalism

Handle sensitive information with care and discretion

Communicate professionally with internal and external stakeholders

Any other duties that fall within the scope and purpose of the role. 

Skills and experience

We’d love to hear from you if you have:

A relevant degree (or equivalent experience)

Strong organisational skills and attention to detail

Clear written and verbal communication skills

Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office (especially PowerPoint)

A proactive, positive, and curious mindset

The ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities

High levels of professionalism and discretion

A genuine interest in learning and growing in a fast-paced, global environment

Nice to have (but not essential):

Internship or placement experience in administration, coordination, events, or operations

Experience supporting senior stakeholders in any capacity

So, who are we and what do we do?

QS is the world leader in higher education services, analytics, insights and intelligence. From consultancy to student mobility, academic partnerships to branding solutions, our services power both institutional and individual success.

We’re behind the world’s most widely read university rankings (Meltwater 2023). Our QS World University Rankings® reach hundreds of millions, shaping decisions and guiding futures.

Since launching in 1990, our impact and influence have only grown. Today, we work with more than 2,000 of the world’s leading higher education institutions, over 12,000 employers, and governments seeking change and socioeconomic development through higher education.

Join QS and you’ll join an 800-strong community of problem-solvers, creators, collaborators and change-makers based in 40+ countries and 11
international offices, including Australia, Malaysia, India, Romania, Singapore, France, Germany, the USA and our headquarters in London.

With every talented new hire, business acquisition and bold initiative, we’re strengthening our reach and delivering even greater value to institutions and learners worldwide. Are you ready to shape the future of higher education?

We take investing in our people very seriously.

As standard you will have:

Competitive base salary

Access to an annual bonus scheme (for qualifying roles only)

25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays – increasing to 27 days after 5 years’

Access to a Buy Holiday scheme allowing you to buy up to 5 additional holiday days per year

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Generous pension through Royal London

Comprehensive private medical insurance and wellness scheme through Vitality

Cycle to work scheme

A vibrant social environment and multicultural and multinational culture

But that’s not all. Outside of these standard benefits we also offer resources to allow professional growth and wellness initiatives to nurture a healthy mindset:

Free subscription to the Calm App – the #1 app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation

A focus on welfare which is led by our global wellness team, with mental health first aiders globally

Access to a variety of diversity and inclusion initiatives and groups

Strong recognition and reward programs – including a peer-to-peer recognition platform, quarterly and annual QS Applaud Awards, Connect with your Career annual PD event

Support for volunteering and study leave

Free subscription to LinkedIn learning – with over 5000 courses and programmes at your fingertips

Options to join our outstanding global Mentorship programme

Like what you’ve heard? Great, apply now!

As a candidate, we know the application and interview process can be daunting and so it’s important that you have a great experience with us. Our dedicated Talent Team will work hard to ensure you are fully informed at all stages and you are really excited by this opportunity to do meaningful work in the education space.

Equal opportunities

QS Quacquarelli Symonds is proud to be a fair and equal organisation where everyone has the same opportunity to achieve their full potential, irrespective of their background or personal attributes. We celebrate our diversity and believe through sharing our experiences we can learn from one another, be stronger together, and enable our business to thrive.