Personal Assistant to Director

Personal Assistant to the Director for Customer, Digital and Corporate Strategy

Organised. Energetic. One step ahead.

We're looking for an exceptional Personal Assistant to the Director - someone who enjoys being at the heart of a busy organisation, can bring order to competing priorities and has the confidence and initiative to make the role their own.

There are, of course, the PA essentials.  You'll manage a busy diary, organise meetings, welcome visitors, arrange rooms and refreshments, coordinate papers, deal with correspondence and make sure the practical details are taken care of brilliantly.

But, this role is about much more than that.

We're looking for someone who can become a trusted right hand to the Director - helping them use their time where it has the greatest impact, staying ahead of the priorities and making sure actions, projects and commitments keep moving. 

What you'll be doing

You'll: 

• Deliver the core PA support exceptionally well – diary management, meetings, correspondence, visitors, hospitality and practical arrangements.
• Actively manage the Director’s time – not simply booking meetings, but understanding priorities, anticipating pressures and helping create space for what matters most.
• Stay ahead of deadlines, meetings, decisions and commitments, spotting clashes and issues before they become problems.
• Prepare for meetings, coordinate papers and briefings, capture actions and follow through to make sure things happen.
• Support and coordinate projects and pieces of work, tracking progress, deadlines and actions.
• Build strong relationships across the organisation and with external partners, becoming a trusted point of contact for the Director.
• Handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion and sound judgement.
• Look for smarter ways of working, making good use of digital tools and emerging technology.
• Take ownership, solve problems and confidently progress appropriate matters on the Director’s behalf.

You’ll be highly organised, energetic and proactive . You’ll enjoy variety, work well at pace and be able to switch quickly between getting the detail absolutely right and seeing the bigger picture.

You’ll have strong organisational and project skills, excellent communication skills and the confidence to work with people at every level. You’ll use your judgement, know when to act and when to escalate, and remain calm when priorities inevitably change.

Most importantly, you won’t wait for a to-do list .

We want someone who will get to know the Director, the directorate and the wider organisation; anticipate what is needed; spot opportunities to help; and increasingly take ownership of things themselves.

There is real scope to shape this role, develop it and make it your own .

If you’re the sort of person who loves organising, problem-solving, connecting people and making things happen – while also taking pride in getting the basics absolutely right – we’d love to hear from you.

Contact:

For an informal conversation about the vacancy, please contact:

Shirley Cornfoot, Personal Assistant

Email: View email address on northeastjobs.org.uk

Tel: View phone number on northeastjobs.org.uk, or

Applications based upon flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be given full consideration.

Why North Tyneside Council? 

Our People First strategy is our promise to make North Tyneside Council an exceptional place to work, where everyone can thrive and flourish. A place where people want to work, where joining our team is an exciting prospect, staying with us feels like a great decision, and building your career at North Tyneside Council is a natural progression.

As part of our People First strategy, we are committed to creating a workplace that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to our success and the well-being of our employees and residents. Our goal is to foster an environment where everyone feels welcome, safe and valued. 

Together, we're crafting a workplace that's built on our values and a shared commitment to making a difference. If you are passionate and committed about making a difference and want to work somewhere where you can make positive change, we will provide the right environment for you to excel.

Alongside our People First strategy, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and adults at risk of harm. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment and to familiarise themselves with all relevant policies, procedures and guidance.  Within North Tyneside, safeguarding is everybody’s business.

Require a reasonable adjustment? If you feel a reasonable adjustment will provide additional support in both the recruitment process and within the workplace, please indicate this to the hiring manager on your application. Declaring a reasonable adjustment will not subject you to any form of discrimination when determining which applicants are successful for interview and employment with us.

Our Carbon Net-Zero 2030 Action Plan

In 2019, North Tyneside Council declared a climate emergency. This declaration set a target to reduce the carbon footprint of the council’s operations, and the borough, by 50% by 2023 and to align to the Government’s net zero target of 2050.

We recognise the significant role we can play in the borough in helping to limit climate change, but we can’t do this alone; we need help from all our residents, businesses, voluntary and community sectors and of course all those who apply and work for us. Together we can make North Tyneside a sustainable place to live and work for everyone in the borough.

To learn more about Our Carbon Net-Zero 2030 Action Plan, click here .

Applying

To view more information about the role and view the Job Description please click "Apply" you will be taken to the North Tyneside Careers Portal.

Learn More

For further information about North Tyneside Council, the benefits of working for us, candidate support, and the many attractions of working and living in North Tyneside please see the council’s “work for us" page here   Work for us | North Tyneside Council

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