Executive Assistant to The Leader

*This expression of interest is only available for those currently employed at Plymouth City Council in Customer and Corporate Services, Cabinet Support Team in Member Services. If you are not employed in this service area, please do not apply, as your application will not be considered*

Executive Assistant to the Leader of the Council

Plymouth City Council needs right-hand support for the Leader — keeping one of the busiest people in the building on top of what's next, prepared, and never blindsided. You'd sit in the Leader and Cabinet Office team, with a genuine inside view of how the city gets run.

What you'd be doing

• Running the Leader's diary and inbox, sorting urgent from can-wait
• Pulling together meetings, briefings, speeches, and papers so they walk in prepared
• Helping get Cabinet and Council meetings fully ready
• Keeping sensitive information organised and confidential
• Sorting travel, events, and visits
• Being the first point of contact for the Leader's office, and chasing things to a proper close
• Building real relationships with councillors, senior staff, government contacts, and local organisations
• Spotting problems early and knowing when to flag rather than sit on something
• Covering for teammates when they're off

What we're hoping you bring

• Experience supporting a senior leader somewhere complex — local government, public sector, or political office ideal, not essential
• Strong organisation and communication
• Comfortable with Outlook, Teams, Word, PowerPoint, Excel
• Sharp attention to detail under a busy workload
• Able to work independently and keep things confidential without prompting
• Confident talking to people at every level
• Comfortable when priorities shift — because they will

Nice to have

• Some grasp of how councils actually work and decide things
• Experience supporting councillors or other high-profile figures
• A feel for the political landscape councils operate in
• Experience handling sensitive, high-profile situations

Why it's worth doing

You'd be genuinely central to things, with a front-row seat to how decisions get made for Plymouth — and your work would help a lot of people across the city, directly.

Fast-paced, yes — but rewarding if that's the kind of environment you like.

Want a chat first? Reach out to Maddie Halifax: maddie.halifax@plymouth.gov.uk

Closing Date: Wednesday 7 October