Executive Assistant, PA & HR Recruitment in Manchester

Specialist recruiters for Executive Assistants, PAs, Chiefs of Staff, Office Managers and HR professionals across Manchester and the North West. Founded in the city over a decade ago.

300+

five-star reviews

72hr

average shortlist

10+

years as a specialist agency

Founded in Manchester

OUR STORY

Lily Shippen was founded in Manchester because the city was under-served by specialist business support recruiters.

The best Executive Assistants and PAs in the region were being placed by London agencies with no real feel for the North West, or by generalists who didn’t understand the role.

Over a decade on, Manchester is still where the heart of our business sits, and it’s where our founder-led approach was shaped. Manchester businesses like backing their own, and we’re proud that so much of our work in the city still comes through referral from clients we’ve placed for over the years.

An Unrivalled Knowledge

specialist business support recruitment in Manchester

Most specialist EA and PA agencies are London firms that service Manchester at a distance. Ours started here.

Our understanding of the city’s employers, salaries and talent pool comes from a decade of placing in it, and it’s a knowledge of the Manchester market that no London desk can replicate.

When you brief us on a Manchester role, you’re speaking to specialists who understand this city better than anyone.

Manchester is now the largest business and technology centre outside London. The city’s fintech and digital sector, its concentration of professional services and legal firms, the broadcast and creative cluster around MediaCity, and the growing sports and sports-business economy across the region have created intense competition for the people who keep leadership teams running.

Knowing what an exceptional Executive Assistant is genuinely worth here, and where to find one who isn’t already being courted by three other firms, is the difference between a fast hire and a stalled search.

We work with businesses of every shape and size in Manchester, from founder-led scale-ups through to established SMEs and large corporates, and we recruit Executive Assistants, Personal Assistants, Chiefs of Staff, Office Managers, HR professionals and wider business support on a permanent, temporary and contract basis.

Business support and HR are all we do, and much of our work here comes through referral, which means we can move quickly and shortlist people who fit your culture, not just your job description.

Looking to Recruit?

ROLES WE RECRUIT IN MANCHESTER

If you’re looking to recruit in Manchester, we cover the following roles:

  • Executive Assistant: permanent, temporary & contract
  • Personal Assistant: corporate & private
  • Chief of Staff: founder & leadership support
  • Office & Operations Manager
  • Business & Team Support / Administration
  • HR, People & Talent roles at all levels

Human Resources Specialist

OUR HR EXPERTISE IN MANCHESTER

HR is a headline part of what we do in Manchester, and demand for HR and People professionals across the city has been growing quickly.

We place across the full HR ladder: HR Administrators, HR Advisors, HR Business Partners, HR Managers and HR Directors, along with People & Culture, Talent and L&D specialists.

The same specialist, relationship-led approach applies whether you’re building an HR function from scratch or hiring at director level. For a deeper look at our HR work in the city, see our dedicated Manchester HR page.

Manchester Market Experts

LOCAL MARKET INSIGHT AND SALARY GUIDE

The Manchester market rewards speed and local credibility.

Salaries have risen sharply as the city’s tech, professional-services and HR base has grown, and the best candidates are often placed within days rather than weeks.

Hybrid working is now the norm across most sectors, which widens your talent pool across Greater Manchester and Cheshire while also raising expectations on flexibility. We benchmark every role against our own live North West data, drawn directly from our 2026 Salary Survey, so your offer lands right first time.

Role Typical Manchester Salary Range
Executive Assistant £38,000 to £48,000
Personal Assistant £30,000 to £40,000
Office Manager £32,000 to £42,000
HR Business Partner £45,000 to £60,000
HR Manager £40,000 to £52,000
HR Director £75,000 to £110,000

Local Area Specialists

SPECIALISTS ACROSS CHESHIRE

Manchester and Cheshire are effectively one market for many of our clients.

Executives and founders often live in one and work in the other, and businesses across the region draw from the same talent pool. If you’re hiring in Cheshire itself, whether for a corporate role or a private principal, our dedicated Cheshire page covers both.

Our Client Feedback

TESTIMONIALS

Just a few kind words from our valued clients

Our clients seek temporary professionals who are adaptable, organised, and able to make an immediate impact. Strong communication skills, initiative, and a proactive approach are essential traits for success in temporary assignments.

Emily

Executive Assistant

“Lily Shippen were so supportive in helping me find a fantastic temporary EA role. The process was seamless, and I felt listened to every step of the way.”

Adam

Office Manager

“The team at Lily Shippen really understood what I was looking for and secured me a brilliant temporary Office Manager position within a week!”

Hannah

Personal Assistant

“I can’t thank Lily Shippen enough for their professional and caring approach. They made securing my first temporary PA role straightforward and stress-free.”

Our Specialist Knowledge

SECTORS WE SERVE IN MANCHESTER

We recruit for the following sectors:

For Job Seekers

LIVE MANCHESTER ROLES

At Lily Shippen, we specialise in placing exceptional business support professionals in roles that drive success and efficiency.

Hiring in Manchester? Let’s talk.

Tell us about the role and we’ll come back with a shortlist of people worth meeting, usually within days.

Fill in the enquiry form, or contact us using the details below: