Executive Assistant in Chatham

We are seeking an Executive Assistant to be part of our dynamic Children's Services team who will provide an outstanding, professional and extensively ranging executive service to the Assistant Director (AD) and the wider directorate. The post will include project support and advisory work to enable the AD to perform their role and responsibilities to a consistently high standard.

About You

• You will hold 5 GCSEs Grade 4 - 9 (or equivalent) including English and Maths.
• You will hold a Level 3 in Business Administration or equivalent.
• You will be experienced in working with and supporting senior managers at a strategic level.
• You will be experienced in delivering projects, analysing data, producing briefing notes and achieving income targets.
• You will be experienced in undertaking complex minute taking and taking a proactive approach to tracking actions.
• You will be experienced in dealing with highly confidential and sensitive data.
• You will be experienced in setting up and establishing effective internal and external partnerships and working groups ensuring key parties are updated and agreed actions are followed up.
• You will be experienced in planning ahead and having the ability to respond positively to change.

In return we offer you:

• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Generous local government pension scheme package.
• Access to wider training and development qualifications.
• Flexible working scheme.
• Travel plan discounts.
• Access to CAREFIRST advice & counselling service.
• Employee discount scheme for national and local.
• Staff benefits including discounted membership to Medway Leisure Centres.

Career Progression Framework

Career Progression Frameworks (CPF) have been introduced for all roles at Medway Council. These frameworks provide a mechanism for employees to take ownership of their development within their post and be rewarded accordingly. This means that the salary you will be offered will be at level A unless, based on an assessment against the CPF criteria, you demonstrate that you are meeting the criteria of level B or C. There will be further opportunity once in post to progress from level A to B, and B to C.

When writing your application, it is important to ensure you identify your suitability against the requirements of the job profile, as this information will be used for shortlisting and may contribute to the CPF assessment. Your application may be rejected if the minimum required criteria is not met. Further information relating to the requirements for this role can be found in the CPF Guidance document attached.

The person specification of a job profile is split into three levels:

• Level A details the essential criteria that all applicants must be able to demonstrate through their application and interview.
• Level B details the developed competencies that an individual who is practised in this role would be able to demonstrate and will be a progression of knowledge, experience and skills from level A.
• Level C requires the highest level of competence and applicants would need to fully meet and demonstrate all aspects of the job profile, including qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience.

Children's Services are seeking an Executive Assistant to join the team at level A. This is the entry point of the role, so you will need to be able to demonstrate the relevant knowledge, experience and skills to get you started, but you will be supported to develop in your role through induction, probation and a supportive Performance Appraisal and Career Conversation. All elements of level A listed within the person specification are essential. Through your induction you will be introduced to the Career Progression Framework (CPF), which will help you to identify your areas of strength and any development needs.

Important Information

Applicants must be able to demonstrate all essential requirements as listed in the job profile. Medway Council is not able to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship, so candidates must already possess the right to work in the UK.

Our organisation

Medway is a unitary authority in the South East of England, made up of the towns of Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham and more rural areas, including the Hoo Peninsula. Situated in Kent in the South-East of England, the area has plenty of green spaces, excellent facilities and easy access to the national motorway and rail networks, facilitating superb transport links to London. We provide all local Government services for a quarter of a million people, looking after education, environment, social care, housing, planning, business and much more - everything from frontline services such as rubbish collection and events like the Dickens Festival to work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure services in Medway run smoothly and cost effectively. Working at Medway Council means that you get to be part of this journey working alongside talented, professional colleagues to drive forward change to transform the lives of our residents and the communities they live in.

Equal Opportunities Commitment Statement

Medway Council is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All appropriately qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or age.

Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.