Personal Assistant

Suffolk Jobs Direct; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job description

Job Description

• Suffolk County Council – Endeavour House, Ipswich IP1 2BX - Hybrid
• £27,711 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• 37 hours per week - Flexible working options available
• Fixed Term or Secondment to May 2026 (secondment cover)

At Suffolk County Council, every role is a chance to create positive change. We are not just a local authority; we are a team of dedicated individuals working together to improve lives across our diverse communities. As our new Personal Assistant, you'll have the unique opportunity to see the direct impact of your work on the people and places that make Suffolk special. Your contributions will help build a brighter future for all. If you are passionate about making a real, tangible difference, it's time to reimagine your career with us. Join Suffolk County Council and turn your passion for positive change into action.

• Do you have recent experience of supporting senior managers?
• Would you like to work in a small but very friendly team, in an incredibly varied, challenging and rewarding role?
• Are you passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of people in Suffolk?

Your Role And Responsibilities

Are you an organised and proactive individual with a passion for making a positive difference? Join our dynamic team as a Personal Assistant, providing full PA support and secretarial services to the Cabinet Member for Ipswich, Operational Highways and Flooding. You'll manage diaries, handle correspondence, arrange meetings, and support senior officers in their roles. If you have excellent communication skills, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to work independently, we want to hear from you!

You will need

• excellent IT skills with a digital approach to all new work
• good communication skills and confidence to work with all staff, councillors and partners
• to be able to work on your own initiative and ensure work is moved onto the correct people
• excellent diary management experience and skills and to be well organised
• to be proactive.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (docx). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

We are a very friendly little team, which comes together twice a week to work in the office to aid with collaborative working. We have flexible working options to support you, your work-life balance and career, including supporting hybrid working.

Empowering Everyone

We are big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We are always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation.

For more information

Please contact Emma Cook (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach her by calling 01473 265083 or emailing: [e-mail].

If you want to apply for a secondment, read the secondment policy first. Make sure you get permission from your current manager before submitting your application.

How To Apply

1. Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (docx).
2. Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.
3. Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template.

• Tell us about a situation where you had to handle a large volume of incoming correspondence, including emails. How did you prioritise and manage the responses?
• Provide an example of how you have arranged meetings, booked venues, prepared agendas, and taken minutes. What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
• How have you followed procedures for logging and processing complaints and compliments? Provide an example of how you handled a particularly challenging complaint.

1. Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing: [e-mail] or calling 03456 014412. If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 24 April 2025.
Interview date: 30 April 2025.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.

About Us

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day.

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).