Personal Assistant (PA) to Service Manager

The Methodist Church in Britain; England; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Season ticket loan

NHS discounts for staff

Training facilities and opportunities

Buying and selling annual leave scheme

Opportunity to work bank shifts

Salary sacrifice schemes including le-

Job summary

The Methodist Church in Britain is seeking an experienced Personal Assistant to support the Service Manager and the Service Management Team in East Essex Inpatient Mental Health Services. The role is fixed-term or secondment until 31 March 2027, focusing on diary management, meeting organisation and minute taking.

You will handle the Service Manager's mailbox, coordinate with internal and external stakeholders, assist with recruitment and confidential meetings, and ensure clear minutes and notes

Qualifications

• NVQ level 3 Business Administration or equivalent experience or qualification.

Responsibilities

• PA provision for the Service Manager, including diary and time management
• Organise meetings with internal and external stakeholders, including HR hearings and confidential meetings, taking notes and actions
• Manage mailbox and communications to and from the Service Manager and team, prioritising matters
• Provide administrative support to the Inpatient Matrons
• Provide administrative support for recruitment and placing orders
• Act as first point of contact for queries, answering or signposting them
• Attend and minute meetings; type reports and minutes to the required format
• Prepare and co-ordinate papers, presentations and agendas
• Lead on workshops and functions, including bookings, catering, attendance and notes
• Maintain electronic and manual filing and a brought-forward system
• Code and check expenditure under standing financial instructions
• Assist with local induction and supervision of administrative staff

Skills

Diary management

Communication skills

Time management

English proficiency

Initiative

Education

NVQ level 3 Business Administration

Tools

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

Fixed-term or secondment post until 31 March 2027 supporting the Service Manager and wider Service Management Team in East Essex Inpatient Mental Health Services. Core work is diary and mailbox management, arranging meetings with internal and external stakeholders, and minuting confidential meetings including HR hearings. Suits someone who works well under pressure and on their own initiative, with a mental health background an advantage. Candidates need line manager approval for release before applying.

What the job involves

• PA provision for the Service Manager, including diary and time management
• Organise meetings with internal and external stakeholders, including HR hearings and confidential meetings, taking notes and actions
• Manage mailbox and communications to and from the Service Manager and team, prioritising matters
• Provide administrative support to the Inpatient Matrons
• Provide administrative support for recruitment and placing orders
• Act as first point of contact for queries, answering or signposting them
• Attend and minute meetings; type reports and minutes to the required format
• Prepare and co-ordinate papers, presentations and agendas
• Lead on workshops and functions, including bookings, catering, attendance and notes
• Maintain electronic and manual filing and a brought-forward system
• Code and check expenditure under standing financial instructions
• Assist with local induction and supervision of administrative staff

Qualifications

• NVQ level 3 Business Administration, or equivalent experience or qualification (e.g. RSA 3)

Experience

• Experience of providing administrative and/or PA support to senior managers

Skills & knowledge

• Good written and spoken English
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Knowledge of a full range of secretarial and administration procedures
• Advanced knowledge and skills of IT systems including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook

Nice to have

• Working knowledge of information systems such as ESR, Paris and Datix
• Previous experience of managing complex diaries with conflicting priorities
• Previous experience of working in a mental health environment

What’s offered

• Season ticket loans
• NHS discounts for staff
• Training facilities and opportunities
• Buying and selling annual leave scheme
• Opportunity to work bank shifts
• Salary sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
• Day One flexible employer, with the right to request flexible working from the first day