Professional Assistant to Cabinet Members

Plymouth City Council; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Plymouth City Council is seeking a Professional Assistant to provide high‑level support to Cabinet Members within the Leader and Cabinet Office Team. This pivotal, fast‑paced role involves managing priorities, facilitating strategic engagement and ensuring smooth operation of the Cabinet office, with a focus on discretion and sound judgement.

You will act as a trusted first point of contact, coordinating meetings, travel and events, and developing strong working relationships with senior

Qualifications

• Experience providing high‑level support to senior leaders within a complex organisation.
• Outstanding organisational, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines.
• Proven discretion and ability to handle confidential information.

Responsibilities

• Provide diary and inbox management for Cabinet Members, coordinating priorities and schedules.
• Coordinate meetings, briefings, agendas, speeches, presentations and correspondence.
• Maintain accurate records and filing systems for sensitive information.
• Arrange travel, visits, events and other logistical requirements.
• Be the primary point of contact for the Cabinet Member’s office and handle enquiries professionally.
• Build strong relationships with elected Members, officers, partners and stakeholders.
• Provide cover for colleagues during periods of leave or absence.

Skills

Executive support

Diary management

Stakeholder engagement

MS 365

Confidentiality

Interpersonal skills

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

• This vacancy is only available for applications from existing Internal Plymouth City Council employees and Agency Workers who are in an active placement and have 12 weeks continuous service. Applications submitted by External candidates who do not meet this criteria will not be considered and will be rejected.

Are you a highly organised, politically aware, and proactive support professional looking to work at the heart of local government? Plymouth City Council is seeking a Professional Assistant to provide high-level support to Cabinet Members, based within our Leader and Cabinet Office Team.

This is a pivotal and fast-paced role, offering a unique opportunity to work alongside some of the city’s most senior elected Members. As Professional Assistant to Cabinet Members, you will play a key role in supporting the effective democratic leadership of the Council, helping to manage priorities, facilitate strategic engagement, and ensure the smooth running of the Cabinet office. You will be a trusted first point of contact, providing support with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgement.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide diary and inbox management for Cabinet Members, ensuring priorities are effectively coordinated and managed.
• Coordinate meetings, briefings, agendas, speeches, presentations, and correspondence on behalf of Cabinet Members.
• Manage sensitive and confidential information, maintaining accurate records and effective filing systems.
• Coordinate travel, visits, events, and other logistical arrangements as required.
• Act as the primary point of contact for the Cabinet Member’s office, handling enquiries professionally and ensuring appropriate responses and follow‑up actions.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with elected Members, senior officers, partner organisations, businesses, and community stakeholders.
• Anticipate issues, assess competing priorities, and use sound judgement to manage and escal…
• Provide support cover for colleagues across the Leader and Cabinet Office Team during periods of leave or absence.

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience providing high-level support to senior leaders within a complex organisation, ideally within local government, the public sector, or a political environment.
• Outstanding organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong experience using Microsoft 365 applications, including Outlook, Teams, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines.
• The ability to work independently, demonstrate initiative, and maintain absolute confidentiality.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to engage effectively with individuals at all levels.
• A flexible, resilient, and collaborative approach, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities and demands.

Desirable Knowledge And Experience

• Knowledge of local government structures, governance arrangements, and decision‑making processes.
• Experience supporting elected Members, political figures, directors, or other senior leaders.
• Understanding of the political and strategic context in which local authorities operate.
• Experience managing sensitive issues and working within a high‑profile public‑facing environment.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to work at the centre of decision‑making in Plymouth, supporting the Cabinet Members in delivering priorities for residents, businesses, and communities across the city.

You will work in a dynamic, high‑profile environment, gaining insight into the strategic leadership of the Council while contributing to initiatives that make a tangible difference to Plymouth's future.

If you thrive in a fast‑paced environment, enjoy working with senior leaders, and take pride in delivering exceptional professional support, we'd love to hear from you.

Closing Date: Sunday 25 October 2026

Plymouth City Council is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of age, care experience, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion/belief, sex or sexual orientation.

As part of our commitment to promoting equality we offer guaranteed interviews to those who meet the essential criteria and are considered disabled, care experienced or are an Armed Forces Service Leaver within the last two years.

• Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK.

Plymouth City Council is proud to be an Age Friendly Employer. We encourage applications from talented people at every stage of their career.