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- Tasks: Support the Executive Board with diary management and travel organisation.
- Company: Join Northumbrian Water, a leading utility company focused on sustainability.
- Benefits: 12-week temporary role with potential for permanent opportunities; occasional travel included.
- Why this job: Gain valuable experience in a dynamic environment while supporting senior executives.
- Qualifications: Proven experience as a Personal Assistant at a senior level is essential.
- Other info: Opportunity to work in Durham with occasional travel to Essex and Suffolk.
Working in partnership with Northumbrian Water, we are actively recruiting for a Personal Assistant/Executive Assistant to support their Executive Board with daily administrative duties. This largely includes diary management and travel organisation. This role is a 12-week temporary position; however, there is the possibility of permanent opportunities within the role. This role is based in Durham; however, there may be occasional travel to Essex and Suffolk sites.
Duties include:
- To assist Directors to use their time efficiently, providing accurate, confidential, and proactive secretarial and organisational support.
- Proactively manage the diary, meeting requests, external visits, and speaking engagements, ensuring schedules are organised and run smoothly.
- Co-ordination of travel and accommodation arrangements, ensuring sensible use of time and production of detailed and accurate travel itineraries.
- Undertake inbox management and respond to straightforward queries.
- Proactive forward planning of diaries and overall workload, highlighting potential issues and pinch-points and suggesting/drafting solutions.
- Through continual horizon-scanning of the diary, ensure Directors have appropriate planning, preparation, and strategic thinking time, including co-ordination of any required pre-meetings and briefings.
- Set up effective systems to ensure meeting and committee papers, performance reviews, training, and other key pieces of work are received within the required timeframes.
- Format and proof-read papers, e.g., business and external reports.
- Ensure adherence to all relevant regulatory rules and guidance applicable to the role, along with collation and logging of all records including regulatory documentation.
- Where required, provide secretariat support at directorate level meetings, assist with the organisation of meetings, conferences, and other events (for both internal and external attendees).
- Manage all customer, MP, and wider stakeholder correspondence received via the executive and liaise with relevant teams and managers to ensure this correspondence is responded to effectively. This may involve the need to talk directly to customers and other stakeholders.
- As part of a team providing Executive Support, cover for and assist other Executive Support Assistants with tasks such as Board papers, general office administrative systems, and a focus on continuous improvement at times of high workload or personal leave.
Essential skills:
- Extensive and proven Personal Assistant experience working at a senior level with Executives.
- Experienced at interpreting needs and creating effective presentations.
- Experience of working within a team, able to prioritise and manage deadlines.
- Be an advocate for change in the organisation and the new systems and technology that is being introduced to the organisation.
For more information on this position or to submit your CV, please contact Angela Sinton on 0191 255 7977 or email angela.sinton@pertemps.co.uk.
Executive Assistant/ Personal Assistant employer: Newcastle Commercial (067)
Contact Detail:
Newcastle Commercial (067) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Assistant/ Personal Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of Northumbrian Water and their Executive Board. Research their recent projects and initiatives to demonstrate your understanding of their operations during any discussions or interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your experience in diary management and travel organisation by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed complex schedules in the past. Be ready to discuss these scenarios in detail to showcase your skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former employees of Northumbrian Water on platforms like LinkedIn. This can provide you with insider knowledge about the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable during the application process.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your approach to proactive problem-solving and how you manage competing priorities. This role requires a forward-thinking mindset, so be ready to share examples of how you've navigated similar challenges in previous positions.
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Assistant/ Personal Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your extensive experience as a Personal Assistant, particularly in supporting senior executives. Emphasise your skills in diary management, travel organisation, and effective communication.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that specifically addresses the requirements of the role. Mention your ability to manage multiple tasks, your proactive approach to problem-solving, and your experience with stakeholder correspondence.
Showcase Relevant Skills: In your application, clearly demonstrate your organisational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work under pressure. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed diaries and coordinated travel arrangements in previous roles.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any errors. Ensure that all information is accurate and presented professionally, as this reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Newcastle Commercial (067)
✨Showcase Your Diary Management Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience with diary management. Highlight specific tools or methods you use to keep schedules organised and how you've handled conflicting appointments in the past.
✨Demonstrate Proactive Problem-Solving
Think of examples where you've anticipated issues before they arose and how you addressed them. This role requires forward planning, so showing that you can think ahead will impress the interviewers.
✨Highlight Your Communication Skills
Since you'll be managing correspondence with customers and stakeholders, be ready to talk about your communication style. Share examples of how you've effectively liaised with different parties and resolved queries.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
This position involves working closely with other Executive Support Assistants. Discuss your experience in team settings, how you prioritise tasks, and how you support colleagues during busy periods.
