Executive Assistant (Castle Point Borough Council)

To provide high quality, effective and efficient executive support for the Leader, Deputy Leader and Senior Leadership Team (SLT); in particular diary management, facilitation of meetings and co-ordination between the Leader, Deputy Leader, SLT, elected members, officers and external individuals, bodies and groups as appropriate.

To work in close contact with the Leader, Deputy Leader and SLT to ensure smooth running of the office and support the Council's vision and corporate objectives.

Please note this is a hybrid working opportunity, with the expectation of being in the office a minimum of 3 days per week, with flexibility to meet business needs.

Accountabilities

· To provide executive support to the Leader, Deputy Leader and Senior Leadership Team providing high level professional support and assistance ensuring their needs are effectively met and managed.

· To provide high quality executive support including diary management of a complex and busy diary, correspondence management and gatekeeping for the Leader and Deputy Leader.

· To organise a variety of high level internal and external meetings, conferences and visits and ensure suitable venues, room bookings and appropriate travel arrangements are made in advance.

· To ensure that arrangements, agendas and papers for meetings and briefings are accurate, prepared in a timely manner and are effectively communicated and managed, and that suitable systems are in place.

· To ensure that the Leader, Deputy Leader and SLT (if necessary) are briefed and prepared ahead of meetings and are kept informed about relevant changes and developments in a timely manner.

· To manage correspondence for the Leader and Deputy Leader including preparation of letters/emails and responding to routine enquiries on their behalf.

· Working closely with the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Services to co-ordinate, monitor and facilitate Member Enquiries, MP Enquiries, Freedom of Information Requests and Corporate Complaints.

· To undertake any duties outside normal office hours if deemed an urgent need and requested by the Leader, Deputy Leader, SLT and Democratic Services Manager.

· To act as a point of contact for media enquiries for the Leader, Deputy Leader, Cabinet and SLT.

· Excellent IT skills, including use of a wide range of software packages such as Microsoft.

· Organisation of high level and complex diary management, scheduling meetings, planning agendas and recording and tracking actions

· Demonstrated use of initiative and ability to work individually as well as part of a team and to identify high risk issues which require escalation or immediate action, with the ability to respond positively in urgent situations, prioritising workload and working to meet tight deadlines and resolves issues.

· Ability to produce written communications which are clear, fluent, concise and jargon free and are readily understood by the people they are aimed at.

· Knowledge of local government context including council policy and processes.

· Good interaction skills and the ability to influence and persuade effectively and to build and maintain contacts and rapport.

· Understanding of and commitment to principles of equality and diversity and compliance with Council policies.

Castle Point Borough Council is proud to be a disability confident Leader. We're committed to interview all disabled applicants if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. We're also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.

Why Castle Point? Castle Point Borough Council is a statutory body responsible for employing nearly 350 staff, and delivering over 150 council services, both statutory and for the community's well-being and benefit. Castle Point Borough Council aims to provide high-quality and financially sustainable services while prioritising outstanding customer service, transparency in decision-making, and promoting local democracy. Additionally, the council seeks to transform, modernize, and improve its performance, as well as support and enable the communities within its jurisdiction to be strong, healthy, and thriving.