Business Support Manager / EA

First Rail; Accrington; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual pay review

Smart health cover

Pension – 5% matched by us

Employee retail discount scheme

Life assurance

24/7 Employee Assistance Programme

Discounted Gym membership

Job summary

Specialist Passenger Solutions (SPS), a division of First Bus, is seeking a dynamic Business Support Manager to assist the Managing Director. You will coordinate schedules, manage diaries, travel and events, and prepare high-level documents while handling confidential matters with discretion.

Strong interpersonal skills and a strategic mindset are essential for this pivotal role. You will work across multiple locations in the UK, providing executive support and acting as a trusted advisor to

Qualifications

• Experience providing high-level executive support in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven diary management and calendar coordination for senior leaders.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with stakeholders at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Manage the MD's diary, travel and event coordination.
• Prepare documents, presentations and reports; handle confidential material.
• Attend meetings, take minutes where required, and represent the MD when needed.
• Act as confidant to the MD and anticipate needs; liaise with Senior Leadership Team.
• Support corporate events and coordinate logistics.

Skills

Executive support

Diary management

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Discretion

Microsoft Office

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

At Specialist Passenger Solutions (SPS) we are dedicated to providing the perfect journey.

SPS was formed in 2016 and serves the passenger transport needs of the EDF Nuclear Project at Hinkley Point C (HPC)in Bridgwater, the largest construction project in Europe. We are the only transport provider for the thousands of people who go to the construction site daily to work or visit. We are now bringing this experience to Sizewell C in Suffolk, providing safe, reliable, and efficient transport for its workforce.

We are first and foremost a people business with our colleagues and clients at our heart. We bring together an exceptional mix of people to provide specialist passenger transport solutions, delivering excellence in all that we do.

We continue to invest in our people, our services and state-of-the-art technology as we look to improve our customers’ experiences. Our drivers undergo rigorous training focused on safety, responsibility, and customer service, ensuring those on board have an enjoyable journey.

SPS is a division of First Bus.

We are looking for a dynamic and highly organised professional to support our Managing Director. The ideal candidate will have a strong personality, exceptional interpersonal skills, and a consistently professional approach. You will play a key role in managing priorities, coordinating schedules, and ensuring smooth communication across the organisation.

If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, take pride in attention to detail, and enjoy working closely with senior leadership, this could be the perfect role for you.

The Business Support Manager (BSM) will support the Managing Director (MD), acting as a trusted advisor to boost productivity and ensure strategic priorities are met. The role involves diary management, travel and event coordination, preparation of documents and presentations, handling correspondence, and managing confidential matters. The BSM will follow up on actions, liaise with the Senior Leadership Team, and may occasionally represent the MD in meetings. Flexible work and UK travel may be required.

Duties to include:

• Ensure the smooth running of schedules and optimum effectiveness of the MD’s time linked to the strategic priorities
• Responsibility for the timely preparation of meeting materials, including research, analysis and design where appropriate; and the production of presentations, correspondence and reports as required.
• Attendance at meetings to facilitate, follow up on actions and take the minutes where required, acting as a ‘stand-in’ for the MD as appropriate
• Act as the MD’s confidant and be their ‘eyes and ears’; and anticipate their needs and follow through accordingly
• Support corporate events and event organisation as required.

Criteria

• Driving licence
• Able and willing to operate at both an operational and strategic level
• Demonstrable experience in an ‘executive assistant’ / support role
• Exceptional organisation and time management skills, with a high level of flexibility and adaptability.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritise and work under pressure / tight deadlines.
• Able to operate with complete discretion given the role will be one with significant access to confidential and commercial information.
• Commercially astute - an effective networker and communicator with the ability to quickly forge strong working relationships at all levels and build trust
• Acts with a high degree of diplomacy and professionalism and the ability to progress tasks with minimal direction
• Highly motivated with the ability to work autonomously as well as part of a team.
• Strong business and commercial acumen, with good numeracy skills.
• Advanced IT skills with proficiency in all Microsoft packages.
• Travel – supporting across of number of different locations

SPS26

Benefits:

• Annual pay review
• Smart health cover - our award-winning employee assistance program offers 24/7 confidential support for you and your family
• Pension – 5% contributory pension matched by us
• Employee retail discount scheme
• Life assurance
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounted Gym membership

All employees must be willing to undergo the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) check and obtain a DBS certificate. These checks help ensure the honesty and integrity of individuals working at a Nuclear Licensed Site or with sensitive nuclear information.

SPS Bus welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and is committed to diversity and inclusion regardless of gender, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or age.