PA to the Leader of Council/Cabinet Support Assistant

Internal Only

This vacancy is only open to North Somerset Council employees and agency workers contracted to North Somerset Council.

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

We have an exciting opportunity for a PA to join our Senior Leadership Support team.

We are seeking a highly organised and adaptable individual to provide comprehensive support to the Leader and Cabinet Members, helping to manage priorities and coordinate activities during the pre-election period. The role also includes supporting the Chief Executive in the absence of the Chief Executive's PA.

Key tasks will include:

• Developing a strong understanding of the local government, operational, and political environment, including election-related considerations, priorities, and key stakeholder relationships.

• Delivering confidential, comprehensive, and proactive PA support to the Leader and Cabinet Members, using a high degree of initiative, discretion, and interpersonal skill.

• Supporting the coordination of Cabinet Members' activities and engagements in the lead-up to the Local Elections, ensuring effective planning and organisation while maintaining compliance with relevant protocols and guidance.

• Managing and prioritising all incoming and outgoing correspondence, enquiries, and emails, ensuring timely responses and adherence to deadlines.

• Acting as the first point of contact for calls, visitors, Councillors, and stakeholders, ensuring enquiries are handled professionally, sensitively, and appropriately.

• Planning, arranging, and coordinating meetings, briefings, events, seminars, conferences, travel, and accommodation.

• Preparing meeting papers, agendas, briefings, presentations, and election-period related information as required, and monitoring follow-up actions.

• Providing extensive diary management for the Leader and Cabinet Members, balancing organisational priorities, stakeholder engagement, and pre-election commitments.

• Liaising with Councillors, officers, partners, and external stakeholders to support effective communication and understanding of council priorities and services.

• Operating with the highest standards of confidentiality, political awareness, integrity, and professionalism.

• Undertaking research, gathering information, and providing project support to assist decision-making and corporate priorities.

• Using Microsoft 365 applications confidently and effectively, alongside AI and digital tools, to improve productivity, streamline administrative processes, and enhance the support provided to senior leaders.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Flexible Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

Flexible Worker

• 2-3 days in the office
• Works both from home and the office, depending on the task at hand.
• Training is provided to help balance work-life and manage time effectively, with an emphasis on communication for team touchpoints and planning in-office days for collaboration.

About You

The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting the Leader and Cabinet Members by continually identifying opportunities to modernise and enhance support arrangements through smarter, more efficient ways of working.

Essential Criteria:

You will already have experience working at a senior secretarial, executive assistant, or PA level and will bring excellent interpersonal, administrative, and organisational skills. As part of this role, you will be exposed to politically sensitive and occasionally emotive information, requiring resilience, sound judgement, discretion, and a consistently professional approach.

The successful candidate will be results-focused, able to multi-task effectively, and thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment. We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

How to Apply

If you share our vision and valuesand are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Jane Krassos jane.krassos@n-somerset.gov.uk

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Potential Interview Date: 6 October

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.