Job Description
2 Months Contract with a Local Authority
3 days office
2 days WFH
37hrs / week
£19.64 / hr
Bi-weekly Pay
Location: Grays
Summary
The Leadership Assistant plays a crucial role in delivering professional and high-quality support to the Assistant Director(s), encompassing business support, secretariat services, and assistance with broader directorate projects. This position is integral to the Council's modern, self-service-oriented framework, which increasingly relies on IT and flexible operational structures. The role demands a comprehensive understanding of the directorate's operational context, strategic priorities, and alignment with broader organizational goals. Reporting to the Executive Assistant under the Executive Support Manager, the workload is guided by the Assistant Director with oversight from the Executive Assistant.
Responsibilities
* Provide effective, proactive, and responsive support to the Assistant Director(s).
* Act as the primary contact for complex issues, offering responses on behalf of the Assistant Director(s) when appropriate.
* Manage diaries efficiently and plan proactively to ensure the Assistant Director(s) are well-prepared for meetings.
* Deliver high-quality secretariat support for key operational and strategic meetings, including drafting concise minutes and following up on actions.
* Deputize for the Executive Assistant during absences.
* Collaborate with the Executive Assistant to maintain high standards of performance and reporting for the Directorate.
* Assist in preparing for and attending meetings and engagements with or on behalf of the Assistant Director(s).
* Lead on directorate projects and bespoke work streams, including Cabinet Member reports and organizing directorate events.
* Collaborate with the wider leadership team to ensure high standards of administrative support and integration of Council priorities.
* Provide coverage at DMT meetings, taking minutes and ensuring actions are followed up in the absence of the Executive Assistant.
Requirements
* Strong understanding of the directorate and individual service areas, operational context, and strategic priorities.
* Ability to work collaboratively and maintain high standards of administrative support.
* Proficiency in IT and flexible operational structures.
* Experience in diary management and proactive planning.
* Excellent communication skills for acting as a point of contact on complex issues.
* Ability to draft concise minutes and manage action follow-ups.
* Experience in leading projects and organizing events.
* Commitment to the Council's diversity, equality, and health and safety policies.
* Willingness to work flexibly, including remote and home working as required.
Requirements
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.