Planning Support Assistant

CRA GROUP RECRUITMENT AND PAYROLL LTD; England; Hybrid; GBP 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in the UK is looking for a capable individual to provide hybrid working support for the Head of Planning and service managers. The role involves managing schedules, coordinating meetings, and ensuring efficient communication. Key qualifications include relevant GCSEs and vocational qualifications, alongside essential skills in organisation and customer service. This position offers an opportunity for collaboration and development within a dynamic environment, with a starting monthly salary of £26,000.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a similar support role.
• Willingness to undertake relevant learning and development.
• Experience in managing diaries and scheduling meetings.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily schedule and appointments for leaders.
• Coordinate and organise meetings ensuring all arrangements are in place.
• Act as the first point of contact, handling inquiries.

Skills

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Multitasking abilities

Education

Minimum of 5 GCSE passes including English and Maths

Vocational Secretarial/Executive Support qualifications

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

5 Weeks Contract with Local Authority

Summary

This role offers a hybrid working arrangement with 3-4 days remote and 1-2 days in the office alongside occasional travel between sites. The position provides comprehensive support and business management services to the Head of Planning and Planning Service Managers. The primary objective is to ensure these leaders are well-informed, prepared and able to focus on their core responsibilities. This involves managing schedules, coordinating meetings, conducting research, handling correspondence and fielding telephone inquiries. The role demands autonomy, discretion and the ability to prioritise tasks effectively in a dynamic and high‑profile environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage the daily schedule and appointments for the Head of Planning and Planning Service Managers.
• Coordinate and organise meetings ensuring all necessary arrangements are in place.
• Act as the first point of contact, handling inquiries with tact and maintaining strong stakeholder relationships.
• Provide comprehensive support including drafting replies and managing correspondence.
• Conduct research and prepare briefs on national and regional issues.
• Organise arrangements for official visitors and manage project coordination.
• Respond to telephone calls and correspondence, ensuring confidentiality and discretion.
• Communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders, including government departments and external partners.
• Handle complaints from the public, resolving issues or directing them appropriately.
• Utilise IT applications to support colleagues and manage information accurately.

Requirements

• Qualifications – Essential:
  • Minimum of 5 GCSE passes (or equivalent) including English and Maths or relevant experience.
  • Vocational Secretarial/Executive Support/Personal Assistant qualifications.
• Qualifications – Desirable:
  • Experience in local government work.
• Knowledge – Essential:
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Applications.
  • Understanding of good customer service principles.
  • Commitment to equality, diversity and data protection principles.
• Skills – Essential:
  • Ability to manage and prioritise emails and correspondence.
  • Strong organisational and multitasking abilities.
  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Creative problem‑solving skills and attention to detail.
  • Experience in managing diaries, scheduling meetings and preparing documents.
• Experience – Essential:
  • Proven experience in a similar support role.
• Experience – Desirable:
  • Experience in local government or public sector, particularly in a political environment.

Dimensions of Role

• Undertake additional duties in support of the Head of Planning and Planning Service Managers as required.

Required Skills

Essential Qualifications/Knowledge: GCSEs A*–C (9–4) or equivalent in English and Maths. Willingness to undertake relevant learning and development. Desirable Qualifications/Knowledge: NVQ Level 2 or 3, customer care qualification/training, basic knowledge of relevant legislation, policies and procedures. Essential Experience: Proficiency in Microsoft Software Packages (Word, Excel, Outlook), experience in providing information and signposting customers professionally across various communication methods, proven track record of delivering effective business support services, administrative experience with a solid understanding of office procedures, ability to prioritise workload to meet deadlines, experience in maintaining documents, records and data. Desirable Experience: Experience in process improvements. Essential Skills: Ability to resolve customer issues and keep them informed, competence in processing basic service requests, strong customer care skills and initiative in handling inquiries, effective communication skills for providing information and addressing customer needs, numeracy skills for calculations and data accuracy, literacy skills for handling correspondence and documents, decision‑making skills based on criteria evaluation, teamwork skills to collaborate effectively with colleagues, time‑management skills to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines, high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

Key Skills Civil Design, Economics, Electro Mechanical, Fashion Retail, Access Control System, B2C

Employment Type Full Time

Experience years

Vacancy 1

Monthly Salary 26 – 26