Interim Executive Officer/PA

3 Month Contract With A Local Authority

Job Purpose

To provide high-level, proactive executive and personal assistant support to a senior leader within the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority. The post holder will operate in a highly visible and politically sensitive environment, ensuring the senior leader is effectively supported, fully prepared and able to respond to changing priorities.

The role requires exceptional organisation, discretion and judgement, with the ability to manage complex and confidential matters, coordinate senior stakeholders and take ownership of urgent and emerging issues.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-level executive and PA support to a senior leader within the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
  
• Manage a complex, demanding and frequently changing diary, ensuring priorities, commitments and appointments are effectively coordinated.
  
• Act as a key liaison with MPs, elected members, government departments, businesses, community representatives and senior stakeholders, including Police and Fire.
  
• Represent the senior leader’s office professionally when dealing with internal and external stakeholders.
  
• Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with a wide range of senior and politically significant stakeholders.
  
• Coordinate briefing materials, meetings, events, visits and public engagements, ensuring the senior leader is fully prepared.
  
• Manage sensitive, confidential and politically significant information with a high degree of discretion and professionalism.
  
• Lead on reactive and urgent matters, responding quickly and effectively to emerging issues and changing priorities.
  
• Take ownership of actions, correspondence and follow-up activity, ensuring matters are progressed and resolved within appropriate timescales.
  
• Monitor outstanding actions and commitments, proactively following up with relevant individuals and organisations.
  
• Anticipate the needs of the senior leader and identify potential issues before they arise.
  
• Assess and appropriately escalate political, reputational and operational risks.
  
• Exercise sound judgement when dealing with sensitive or high-profile matters.
  
• Make decisions within delegated authority and take ownership of issues with minimal supervision.
  
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the Combined Authority and external organisations to ensure effective delivery.
  
• Maintain a high level of professionalism, confidentiality and accuracy at all times.
  
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment where priorities can change at short notice and no two days are the same.
  
• Undertake any other reasonable duties consistent with the role.
  

Requirements

• Essential: Proven experience supporting a senior leader within a political or public sector environment.
  
• Strong understanding of political sensitivities, public accountability and the importance of confidentiality.
  
• Proven experience managing complex diaries, competing priorities and demanding workloads.
  
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively under pressure.
  
• Demonstrable ability to work independently, using initiative and sound judgement with minimal supervision.
  
• Confidence to take ownership of issues, make decisions within delegated authority and drive activities forward.
  
• Experience managing sensitive, confidential or high-profile issues.
  
• Strong ability to assess risk, identify potential reputational or operational issues and escalate appropriately.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to engage with senior stakeholders.
  
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-management skills, including the ability to deal professionally with MPs, elected members, government representatives and other senior stakeholders.
  
• Ability to anticipate emerging issues and proactively respond to changing circumstances.
  
• High level of discretion, resilience and professionalism.
  
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to work accurately under pressure.
  
• Strong IT and administrative skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office and diary-management systems.
  
• Desirable: Existing Police Vetting.
  
• Please note that Police Vetting may be requested should the assignment be extended.
  

Additional Information

• Location: York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority
  
• Hours per week: 37
  
• Bi-weekly payments: Paid bi-weekly