South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
Personal Assistant to Director of Workforce & OD
The closing date is 11 July 2025
Applications for this vacancy are restricted to current Trust employees only
Anexciting opportunity has arisen for a self-motivated enthusiastic individual tojoin our team in the role of Personal Assistant (PA) to the Director of Workforce& Organisational Development (HR&OD). As PA you will be the first pointof contact for the Director providing a professional service and be able todeal with sensitive matters in a discreet and confidential manner.
Thesuccessful candidate will have GCSE Grade C (or equivalent), in Maths andEnglish as well as previous experience of providing a full administrativeservice. You will be able to demonstrate excellent verbal and writtencommunications and be able to prioritise a constantly changing workload.Attention to detail is essential particularly when producing minutes andreports.
Thisrole is varied and at times challenging with the successful candidate workingacross a wide range of issues and often with tight deadlines. The successfulcandidate will demonstrate the values of the organisation, aligning with ourExcellence in all that we do ethos. If you are interested in the role andwant to know more, please contact Sonia Atkinson sonia.atkinson@nhs.net
Main duties of the job
In addition todiscretion and confidentiality which are essential attributes the duties of therole include:
-Organisingmeetings, preparing agendas, papers and taking and distributing minutes.
-Managingthe Directors diary, including diary conflicts and forward planningappointments and meetings.
-Providingproject management support for a range of Workforce & OD initiatives.
-Workingwith teams across the Directorate and those external to the Directorateincluding Trade Unions.
-Supportingthe review process for policies and other key documents.
This post wouldprovide an excellent development opportunity for someone who wants experienceof how a large complex organisation operates or indeed who may be considering acareer in Human Resources Management.
About us
Please help us by adding your telephone number to your application form this will allow us to contact you quickly if required.
One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.
We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for STSFT. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via the Trust's Flexible Working Policy.
The Trust employs around 8,600 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area, in some cases to a population as great as 860,000. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Childcare Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements. The Trust will not accept applications which are found to be AI generated.
Job responsibilities
To provide a comprehensive and professional personal assistant service to the Director ofWorkforce & Organisational Development (W&OD), managing sensitive matters in a discreet andconfidential manner.To provide an efficient and effective secretarial service to the Director of W&OD including recordkeeping, managing diaries, taking messages, typing.To process orders and invoices when required.To provide support for meetings by preparing and circulating papers, including agendas, andattending meetings to take minutes.
PLEASE REFER TO ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.
Person Specification
Experience
* Experience of managing busy diaries and general office practice
* Experience of working in a busy office, managing own workload
* Experience of working with the public and staff at all levels in an organisation
* Experience of minute taking for senior level meetings/committees
* Experience of handling and managing sensitive situations and data
* Proven experience of prioritising work and meeting deadlines
Skills and Knowledge
* Word processing at an advanced level
* Highly proficient in the use of Microsoft Office packages
* Able to use own initiative and work without supervision
* Able to work to strict deadlines in a pressurised environment
* Excellent communication skills, verbal and written
* Ability to recognise the importance, confidentiality and sensitivity of issues and act with the utmost discretion
* Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in production of work including minutes of meetings
* Ability to liaise and coordinate with teams from other departments / organisations
* Ability to work with interruptions from telephone calls and visitors
* Ability to demonstrate the Trusts values and behaviours
* Ability to work flexibly dependent on the needs of the service, including on occasion outside of core working hours
* Excellent administrative and organisational skills
Physical Skills
* Must be discreet and professional
* Must be self-motivated with the ability to act under pressure
* Maintain the confidentiality of the Trust and patient information and use such information only as authorised for specific purposes
* Undertake personal development, mandatory training and appraisal
* Ability to travel independently when required to work at different locations
Qualifications
* GCSE grade C and above in English and Maths or equivalent, or Level 2 Literacy and Numeracy
* NVQ Level III in Business Administration (or working towards) or equivalent.
Employer name
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
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