At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide top-notch admin support to council leaders and ensure smooth operations.
- Company: Join Luton Borough Council through Connect2Luton, a local government recruitment service.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience in public service with opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with occasional evening and weekend events.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing essential skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in admin support and strong communication skills are a must.
Connect2Luton are excited to recruit a Senior Business Officer on behalf of Luton Borough Council.
Main purpose of position:
To provide a full administrative and secretarial support service to the Executive Leader of the Council, the Leader of the opposition and occasionally the Mayor.
This role also provides a high level of practical and support to the Councillors to enhance the smooth running of the council.
You will be responsible to:
Organise and maintain the diaries, including assisting in planning, through prioritisation, allocation and organisation of appointments within a scheduled work programme. Liaise with a wide range of people to ensure that all appropriate arrangements are made for meetings, seminars and conferences, organising travel and accommodation as necessary ensuring the Executive Leader is fully briefed on all relevant issues.
Organise and provide hospitality for internal meetings. Liaising and co-working with the other Senior Business Officer is vital to ensure seamless cover is provided for the Leader of the Council, the Leader of the opposition and occasionally the Mayor.
Draft and originate correspondence and reports (including committee reports) on behalf of the Leader of the Council. Liaise with Officers and Members to provide draft responses with and briefings to complex correspondence.
Exercise personal judgement in ensuring that written communications are comprehensive, unambiguous, fluent, accurate and presented in a variety of appropriate styles dependent on the circumstances. Investigate and resolve where possible or refer complaints made to the Executive Leader and/or other Group Leaders.
Receive and filter incoming telephone calls for and personal visitors to the Leader/Deputy Leader and Mayor, from a wide range of sources including senior management, other elected Members, VIP\'s other statutory agencies and the public.
Exercise judgement in prioritising, dealing with matters within own remit and/or referring to the Leader/Deputy Council or elsewhere as necessary to ensure continuity. Initiate own calls where necessary exercising tact, discretion and courtesy. Ensure the Leader/Deputy can deliver digital and social media responses when necessary and as appropriate.
Gather research intelligence and undertake specific time-limited projects on behalf of the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council, and as instructed by the Business & Member Support Manager.
To co-ordinate input from across the Council and its partners, and sourcing external data and analysis (for example, from the internet) as necessary to ensure a detailed response and successful outcomes.
Skills and Experience:
- In depth experience of providing administrative and secretarial organisational support role to senior politicians and/or senior management
- Able to deal effectively with a wide-range of people in a courteous but assertive manner and able to exercise high levels of tact and diplomacy
- Able to compile well written and grammatically correct documents and letters
- Able to plan and organise workload to meet organisational priorities and deadlines and to facilitate the progression of important events and issues
- Able to motivate, manage and develop Junior colleagues through mentoring and coaching
- Able to use word processing, spreadsheet, e-mail and internet and social media applications
- Able to identify when discrimination is taking place in service delivery or in the work -place and take appropriate action where this is identified
- Understanding of the corporate context of Councillor and Officer roles, or in the operation of a large organisation at corporate level
- RSA III Word processing OR equivalent qualification OR equivalent experience
- Ability to attend occasional evening and weekend events, meetings or engagements at or around the Borough. Attendance to 2 civic functions per annum.
About Us
Luton Borough Council have partnered with Kent County Council to create Connect2Luton, a recruitment managed service for all contingent temporary agency, contract, and interim roles at the Council.
Our heritage and being local government owned which means we have a wealth of knowledge and expertise within the public sector, with many of our employees having previously worked for the Council or have supplied previously into the Council, for several years.
We are an equal opportunities employment agency and business that positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.
Connect2Luton is a trading style of Luton & Kent Commercial Services LLP - A joint venture between Luton Borough Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2Luton is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.
Senior Business Officer in Luton employer: Connect2Luton
Luton Borough Council, through Connect2Luton, offers a dynamic and supportive work environment for the Senior Business Officer role, where employees are valued for their contributions to local governance. With a strong emphasis on professional development, the council provides ample opportunities for growth and mentorship, fostering a culture of collaboration and respect. Located in Luton, this position allows you to make a meaningful impact in the community while enjoying a diverse and inclusive workplace that prioritises employee well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Business Officer in Luton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to Luton Borough Council. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the council's recent projects and initiatives. Show us you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your genuine interest in their work!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills. As a Senior Business Officer, you'll need to be articulate and clear. Try mock interviews with friends or family to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Business Officer in Luton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experience align with the role of Senior Business Officer. We want to see how you can bring value to the team, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Be Clear and Concise:When drafting your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate well-structured documents that are easy to read, so make sure your writing is fluent and accurate.
Showcase Your Organisational Skills:Since this role involves a lot of planning and organisation, be sure to highlight any relevant experience you have in managing schedules or coordinating events. We love to see examples of how you've successfully juggled multiple tasks in the past!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Connect2Luton
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Senior Business Officer. Familiarise yourself with the key tasks like diary management, correspondence drafting, and liaising with various stakeholders. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since this role involves a lot of written and verbal communication, prepare examples that highlight your ability to draft clear and concise documents. Think about times when you had to communicate complex information effectively, and be ready to discuss these during the interview.
✨Demonstrate Tact and Diplomacy
You’ll need to deal with a wide range of people, including senior politicians and the public. Prepare scenarios where you successfully navigated sensitive situations or resolved conflicts. This will showcase your ability to handle challenging interactions with professionalism.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Prioritisation
The role requires excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise tasks effectively. Think of examples from your past experience where you successfully managed multiple responsibilities or tight deadlines. This will illustrate your capability to keep things running smoothly in a busy environment.
