Secretary to Service Director

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Secretary to Service Director position, to join Children and Young People’s Services, Senior Leadership Support Team. This role offers the chance to support a high-performing senior management team, gain valuable experience in a strategic environment, and further develop your existing skills within a busy and rewarding service.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated, and highly organised individual who can work both independently and proactively, as well as collaboratively as part of a dedicated team. The successful candidate will provide confidential, professional, and reliable secretarial support to Service Directors within Children and Young People’s Services.

Led by the Corporate Director for Children's Services, the Service Directors provide strategic leadership across a wide range of services for children, young people, and families. The team of Secretaries plays a vital and influential role in supporting this work by ensuring the provision of high-quality administrative and secretarial support.

This is a varied and fast-paced role where no two days are the same. You will be required to respond effectively to changing priorities and urgent requests while maintaining a proactive approach, anticipating future requirements, and ensuring that Service Directors receive the highest standard of support at all times.

The role requires excellent diary management skills, including the ability to coordinate and manage complex schedules. Strong communication and customer care skills are essential, together with the ability to remain calm, organised, and professional when working under pressure.

You will be an experienced and confident minute taker with the ability to accurately record discussions and decisions at meetings using a laptop. A high level of accuracy, excellent attention to detail, and strong organisational skills are critical to success in this role.

As part of the wider secretarial team, you will work closely with colleagues in the Partnerships and Governance Team to meet demanding deadlines and support key service priorities. The role also involves working collaboratively with colleagues across other Council Directorates as well as a range of partner agencies operating throughout the Wakefield District.

This opportunity is ideal for someone looking to broaden their experience and further develop their administrative and secretarial skills in a senior management environment. A comprehensive induction programme will be provided to support the successful candidate in becoming established within the role.

Due to the nature of Children's Services, it is essential that you have a thorough understanding of data protection and confidentiality requirements. The successful candidate will work on a daily basis with highly sensitive and often emotive information, including matters relating to the abuse of and injuries to children and young people. Maintaining confidentiality and handling information appropriately at all times will therefore be critical.

A Standard DBS check and clearance will be required for this post.

Working Arrangements

Core working hours are:

• Monday to Thursday: 8:30am to 5:00pm
• Friday: 8:30am to 4:30pm

The post is based at Wakefield One, Burton Street, Wakefield, WF1 2EB.

The role is covered by the Council's Flexi Time Scheme, and we currently support hybrid working, offering a combination of office-based and home working arrangements.

For further details about the role, please refer to the attached Job Specification.

Want to know more?

If you would like to know more about the role, the recruitment process or working for Wakefield Council, feel free to contact.

Name: Ruth Kaye

Tel: 01924 306137

E-mail: rkaye@wakefield.gov.uk

Join us and make a real impact in the community. Apply today to become a valued member of our team!

Safeguarding

Wakefield Council is wholly committed to ensuring children and vulnerable adults are fully supported and safe. We are dedicated to the safeguarding of all children and vulnerable adults whilst promoting their welfare. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this responsibility.

DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service)

The successful applicant will be required to complete a Disclosure Application Form and to provide criminal conviction information.

Probation

In accordance with the Council Probation Procedure, this post is subject to a 6-month Probationary Period.

Fluency Duty

To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), public facing roles will be subject to the Fluency Duty.

Diversity

Having a diverse workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve helps us to achieve the best outcomes for all. We encourage applications from everyone and actively seek to ensure that everyone feels included in the workplace so that we can make the most of our differences.

Why Wakefield

To find out more about the benefits of working at Wakefield Council, click here.