Personal Assistant to Strategic Director and Group Management Team

Gateshead Council; Gateshead; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid & Flexible Working

Excellent Pension Scheme

Annual Leave 28-32 days

Flexi-time

Employee benefits programme

Job summary

Gateshead Council is seeking a proactive Personal Assistant to the Strategic Director and Group Management Team. You will provide confidential support in a fast-paced environment, manage complex diaries, coordinate meetings, and ensure key information is accessible to senior leaders to drive decisions and outcomes for Gateshead residents, communities and businesses.

You will have solid experience in PA/secretarial roles, excellent organisational and communication skills, a strong IT proficiency,

Qualifications

• Experience providing PA/secretarial support in a busy environment.
• Excellent organisation with ability to manage competing priorities.
• Strong IT skills and confidence with Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Provide a professional, confidential PA service to the Strategic Director and Group Management Team.
• Manage diaries, arrange meetings and co-ordinate priorities and deadlines.
• Prepare agendas, collate papers, take minutes and track actions.
• Maintain records and handle correspondence and external communications.
• Liaise with colleagues, elected members and stakeholders to ensure effective enquiries.

Skills

Diary management

Organisation

Communication

Relationship building

Proactivity

Data protection

Education

GCSEs English & Maths

NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

As Personal Assistant to the Strategic Director and Group Management Team, you will play a key role in supporting senior leaders who are responsible for delivering some of the Council's most important priorities. Working in a fast-paced and highly visible environment, you will build strong relationships with colleagues, elected members, partners and stakeholders, ensuring the leadership team is organised, informed and able to focus on achieving the best outcomes for Gateshead residents, communities and businesses This role goes beyond diary management and administration. We need someone who can take ownership of situations, anticipate issues before they arise and confidently navigate complex and constantly changing priorities. You'll be a trusted professional who keeps calm under pressure, exercises sound judgement and ensures things run smoothly behind the scenes. We don't want you to wait to be told what needs doing. You spot issues, find solutions, remain calm when demands increase, and take pride in keeping senior leaders organised, informed and focused on what matters most. Organised. Proactive. Trusted. Join us and help shape Gateshead's future. What you will get to do:

What you will get to do:

• Provide a professional, confidential and proactive Personal Assistant service to the Strategic Director and wider Group Management Team.
• Act as a first point of contact, managing correspondence, telephone enquiries and communications on behalf of senior leaders.
• Manage complex and often competing diaries, arranging meetings and ensuring priorities, commitments and deadlines are effectively coordinated.
• Organise meetings, prepare agendas, collate papers and supporting documentation, and ensure information is distributed in a timely manner.
• Attend meetings, take accurate minutes and action notes, and monitor progress against agreed actions.
• Liaise confidently with colleagues, elected members, partner organisations and external stakeholders to ensure enquiries are dealt with effectively.
• Develop, maintain and manage manual and electronic record systems, ensuring information is accurate, up to date and readily available.
• Manage information in line with data protection, confidentiality and information governance requirements.
• Monitor and track actions, commitments and deadlines, ensuring senior leaders are kept informed and supported.
• Assist in reviewing, improving and implementing administrative systems and procedures to promote continuous improvement and best practice.
• Take ownership of issues, anticipate emerging priorities and respond effectively in a rapidly changing environment.
• Undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade of the post

Supporting strategic decisions. Driving organisational success.

What you will bring:

• Experience providing Personal Assistant, secretarial or administrative support within a busy and demanding environment.
  Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities, work independently and consistently meet deadlines.
• Strong experience of diary management, meeting coordination, agenda preparation, minute taking and action tracking.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills, with the confidence to build effective relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong IT skills, including the use of Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint, together with experience of administrative systems and databases.
• Knowledge of administrative processes, record management, data protection and confidentiality requirements.
• GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and Maths together with an NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration (or relevant experience or willingness to work towards the qualification)
  Do you want to help make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives? If that sounds like you, keep reading - we might be the perfect match.

We're delighted that you're interested in working with us. You'd be a very exciting time. We pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward-thinking approach to taking care of Gateshead and its people, and we passionately believe that our employees reflect that spirit in truly enabling Gateshead to thrive. At Gateshead Council you'd be a highly valued member of a team that recognises and respects the skills that you bring to your role, encouraging creativity and passionately advocates a great work / life balance. Our actions speak louder than words, and with flexi-time and hybrid working available across many of our roles, as well as a full suite of outstanding employee benefits, we're confident that it isn't just the salary that attracts our staff. Be the person who keeps our senior leadership team one step ahead. The Economy, Innovation and Growth Group is at the heart of delivering ambitious plans that help Gateshead thrive. Our teams work across a broad range of services and projects that support economic growth, regeneration, innovation and investment in the borough.

• Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience.
• Outstanding Pension Scheme: We don't just offer a great salary - we invest in your future too. Find out what benefits a Local Government Pension provides: https://twpf.info
• Generous Annual Leave: Enjoy 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years (2 of which can be fixed by the Council), plus the option to buy up to 10 extra days.
• Flexible Working Hours: Benefit from up to 26 flexi days per year (subject to business needs), giving you more control over your time.
• Hybrid & Flexible Working: We support a healthy work-life balance with flexible and hybrid working options.
• Learning & Development: Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities to help you grow your career.
• Health & Wellbeing Support: From discounted gym memberships through our partner GLL to mental health resources, we care about your wellbeing.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Save money and stay active with our tax-efficient cycle to work programme.
• Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme: Get behind the wheel of a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle through our salary sacrifice car scheme in partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions - a cost-effective, environmentally friendly way to drive (after 12 months service).
• Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on shopping, travel, and services - plus salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics, and more, helping you spread the cost of essential purchases (after 6 months service).