Gateshead Council
Personal Assistant to Strategic Director and Group Management Team
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Who We Are & What We Stand For
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 joining us at 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, encourages 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.
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
- 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.
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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)
What’s In It For You
- 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).
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Our commitment to you
We are an equal opportunities employer and aim to have a culture and a workplace where our people feel a sense of belonging, are respected and empowered to do their best work. We know that we deliver better services when our workforce reflects the full range of backgrounds and experiences in the society we serve. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
How To Apply
You can apply online using the apply now button below. Within the form, you’ll be asked for details about you, your career history, skills, experiences and qualifications.
We advise you to be as detailed and specific as possible, paying particular attention to any of the above which are relevant to the role to which you are applying.
If you have any questions about your application, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our recruitment team via [email protected].
Please note: As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. However, in high-volume recruitment situations, it may not always be practicable to interview every eligible candidate. In such cases, we may need to prioritise those who best meet the essential criteria, based on the information provided in the application.
Additionally, the Council reserves the right to close this vacancy early or adjust the shortlisting criteria, including the pass mark for interview selection, to ensure a fair and manageable recruitment process. We encourage early applications.
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