Cornwall Hill College hiring personal assistant for Rector by 30 November 2025

Cornwall Hill College, a co-educational independent school located in Irene, Centurion, is currently seeking a highly organised and discreet Personal Assistant to their Rector and Board. This crucial position involves providing comprehensive administrative and secretarial support to both the Executive Head of School and the Board of Directors. The ideal candidate will be a proactive self-starter with excellent communication and organisational skills, committed to upholding strict confidentiality and supporting the school’s strategic leadership. This is a pivotal opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and possesses strong diplomatic capabilities.

Detailed vacancy overview

• Institution: Cornwall Hill College
• Location: Irene, Centurion
• Role: Personal Assistant to the Rector and Board
• Employment type: Full-time (implied by the nature of the role)
• Key responsibilities include:
  • Managing the Rector’s dynamic calendar and scheduling meetings.
  • Handling all incoming communications for the Rector.
  • Preparing confidential documents, presentations, and correspondence.
  • Coordinating key school events and donor meetings involving the Rector.
  • Scheduling and managing Board and Sub-Committee meetings.
  • Preparing, distributing, and tracking all Board meeting materials.
  • Maintaining Board records and documentation in compliance with governance.
  • Acting as the primary liaison for Board members and external stakeholders.
  • Supporting Board governance, tracking action items, and ensuring adherence to school statutes.
  • Serving as the primary administrator for the main school communications email inbox (`[email protected]`).
  • Assisting in proofreading and editing communication materials.
  • Updating key information on the school website.
  • Acting as a professional ambassador for the school.
  • Handling highly sensitive information with utmost discretion.
• Required qualifications and skills:
  • Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent education and experience.
  • Minimum 5 years’ experience supporting C-suite executives, Board of Directors, or senior leadership in an educational or non-profit setting.
  • Proven excellence in taking accurate meeting minutes for a governing body.
  • Familiarity with basic governance principles.
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
  • Experience with digital Board management portals (e.g., BoardEffect, Diligent) or secure document management systems.
  • Exceptional organisational and time management skills.
  • Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with a professional and diplomatic demeanour.
• Personal attributes:
  • Impeccable integrity and strict confidentiality.
  • Proactive, resourceful, and able to act with initiative.
  • Meticulous attention to detail.
  • Strong interpersonal skills to interact effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Closing date for applications: 30 November 2025, 17:00
• Response date from College: By 09 January 2026, if successful.
• Ethos: Applicants should share the Christian ethos and values upheld by the College.

Simple summary of the vacancy

Cornwall Hill College is on the lookout for a talented Personal Assistant to support their Rector, who is the Executive Head of the school, and the Board of Directors. This is a very important role, requiring someone who can effortlessly manage a busy schedule, handle sensitive information, and ensure smooth communication within the college’s leadership. You’ll be the central point of contact for many, from the Rector themselves to Board members and external partners.

Your day-to-day responsibilities will be varied and demanding. For the Rector, you’ll be managing their calendar, screening communications, drafting important documents, and coordinating events. When it comes to the Board, you’ll be in charge of scheduling meetings, preparing all the necessary documents like agendas and minutes, and ensuring everything is kept confidential and compliant with governance rules. You will also oversee the main communications email inbox for the entire campus, helping to proofread messages and keep the school website updated.

To be considered for this role, you should ideally have a Bachelor’s degree and at least five years of experience supporting senior leadership, particularly within an educational or non-profit setting, or for a Board. Excellent minute-taking skills are essential, as is a good understanding of governance. You’ll need to be a whizz with Microsoft Office and comfortable using digital Board management systems. Beyond your skills, the college is looking for someone with impeccable integrity, a proactive approach, meticulous attention to detail, and superb interpersonal skills. They also expect candidates to share the Christian ethos and values of the College.

While this isn’t one of the many teaching jobs available in the education sector, it’s a critical administrative role that underpins the entire institution’s success. It requires a dedicated professional to maintain the high standards expected at Cornwall Hill College.

How to apply for this post

• Ensure you meet all the required qualifications, skills, and personal attributes.
• Share the Christian ethos and values upheld by Cornwall Hill College.
• Click on the provided application link: Please click here to apply.
• Submit your application before the closing date of 30 November 2025, 17:00.
• If you haven’t heard back by 09 January 2026, please assume your application has not been successful.
• By applying, you acknowledge and accept the College’s POPIA disclaimer regarding the confidentiality and use of your personal information during the recruitment process.

Advice for potential candidates

• Q: What is the most crucial skill for this PA role?
  A: Confidentiality and discretion are paramount, especially when dealing with sensitive information related to the Rector, the Board, and personnel matters.
• Q: How important is my experience with governance?
  A: Very important. The ability to take accurate meeting minutes for a governing body and a familiarity with basic governance principles are highly desirable and will set you apart.
• Q: What kind of communication skills are they looking for?
  A: Outstanding written and verbal communication skills are essential. Your professional and diplomatic demeanour in all interactions will be key, as you’ll be a primary point of contact.
• Q: How can I demonstrate being a “self-starter” and “proactive”?
  A: In your application, provide examples where you anticipated needs, took initiative without constant supervision, and managed complex situations effectively. Highlight your forward-thinking attitude.
• Q: Is a Bachelor’s degree absolutely necessary?
  A: While a Bachelor’s degree is preferred, the vacancy states an “equivalent combination of education and experience” is also acceptable. Emphasise your relevant experience if you don’t have a degree.
• Q: What about technical proficiency?
  A: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite is a must. Also, highlight any experience you have with digital Board management portals or similar secure document management systems.
• Q: How important is the Christian ethos?
  A: The College explicitly states that applicants should share their Christian ethos and values. It’s important to reflect an understanding and alignment with these values in your application, even for non-teaching jobs.
• Q: How should I prepare for an interview for this role?
  A: Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you’ve handled confidential information, managed complex calendars, prepared official documents, and supported senior leadership or a Board.
• Q: What if I don’t hear back by the specified date?
  A: The College states that if you don’t hear from them by 09 January 2026, you should accept that your application has not been successful.
• Q: What should I know about Cornwall Hill College’s culture?
  A: It’s an independent, co-educational school that values strong leadership and clear communication. Your role will be critical in supporting the strategic direction and maintaining professionalism within this environment.
• Q: Are there opportunities for career progression within the school?
  A: While not explicitly stated, successful performance in such a central administrative role often opens doors to other senior support or operational positions within the institution, complementing the wide array of potential teaching jobs and non-teaching roles a school might offer.

Institution details

• Institution name: Cornwall Hill College
• Website: www.cornwallhill.org
• Address: Irene, Centurion
• Vacancy source: ISASA Vacancies