Personal Assistant

Serco is contracted to provide Total Facilities Management to the Defence Academy of the UK (DA). This prestigious establishment is responsible for post-graduate education and most of the command, staff, leadership, Defence management, acquisition, and technology training for members of the UK Armed Forces and MOD Civil Servants. Serco supports the DA as the MOD’s primary link with UK universities and international military educational institutions.

Serco have an exciting role as a PA to the Deputy Commandant & Chief Operating Officer and to the Chief of Staff. You will provide a personal and confidential high level administrative service whilst being a frontline point of contact, ensuring the efficient running of their office and meeting all the requirements for personal secretarial support., * Coordination and control of Principal’s electronic diary, making sensible judgements based on knowledge and experience.

• Arranging travel and preparing itineraries as appropriate.

• Making and screening calls on behalf of senior officer/Principal; making sensible decisions on the importance of calls received; taking messages and forwarding them as required (using Teams, Skype and phone as required).

• Screening and actioning ad hoc requests and visits from other members of staff.

• Preparation and collation of meeting papers.

• Arranging appropriate meetings, including booking rooms, sending out invitations, drafting agendas, managing attendance at meetings, active participation at meetings and production of action minutes as required.

• Liaison with internal and external visitors (or their support staff), to establish their transport, accommodation, catering needs and subsequent booking of any requirements and arrival/reception on site/to department.

• Take a pro-active role within the department to liaise with your colleagues and customers and be fully conversant with your workload including effective and tactful communication with your Serco/Military/customer colleagues and Academic Provider.

• Carry out administration duties on behalf of senior personnel, ensuring compliance with internal policy and processes and relevant legislation including the Data Protection 2018 and Public Records Act.

• Office/PA experience.

• Ability to work on your own and also as part of a team to contribute to its effectiveness.

• Ability to prioritise/cope under pressure, with conflicting demands of customer and colleagues.

• Proven organisational skills and excellent attention to detail.

• Adaptable, reliable, flexible, and discreet.

• Ability to concentrate for long periods ensuring accuracy in production of documents/information.

The Defence Academy sits within a beautiful and secure site. The DA trains the future commanders and staff officers of all three UK Armed Services and those from many countries around the world. Other benefits of working on this site include:

• Free, secure onsite parking.

• Opportunity to join many sports and activity clubs (heavily subsidised subscription costs), as well as gym membership, 18-hole golf course, riding stables, tennis courts, Astro-turf football pitches and much more.

• Pension: Up to 6% contributory pension scheme

• Holidays: 13.5 days annual leave (inc bank holidays, with the opportunity to purchase 2 more days).

• Training and development: We offer a wide range of learning opportunities with over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships, mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression.

• Wellbeing: 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, BUPA Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, Simplyhealth cash plans to claim back money towards healthcare costs, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres

• Discounts: Save across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel

• ShareSave scheme: Helps you save regularly with the choice to buy Serco shares at a discount at the end of your savings period.

• Employee networks: Dedicated networks where colleagues can come together to find support, share challenges, discuss ideas, network and be part of a community.

• Charity: Support a charity or organisation with a paid volunteering day each year. You can also choose to donate to your favourite charity tax-free, through our Payroll Giving Scheme.