Business Support Manager / EA

First Group; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

First Group is seeking a dynamic Business Support Manager to assist the Managing Director with diary management, travel and event coordination, and the preparation of documents and presentations. The role requires discretion, strategic thinking and strong interpersonal skills to liaise with senior leaders and diverse teams.

The ideal candidate will manage priorities, coordinate schedules across locations, and represent the MD when appropriate.

Qualifications

• Experience in an executive assistant / support role.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Flexible and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Ensure smooth running of schedules for the MD and alignment with strategic priorities.
• Prepare meeting materials, research, analysis, and presentations.
• Attend meetings to facilitate, record minutes, and stand in for the MD when needed.
• Act as confidant to the MD and anticipate needs; manage confidential matters.
• Support corporate events and travel coordination as required.

Skills

Driving licence

Executive assistant experience

Organisation

Communication

Discretion

Diplomacy

Numeracy

Microsoft Office

Calendar management

Travel coordination

Tools

Microsoft Office

Calendar tools

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

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.