Executive Support Officer

 Executive Support Officer

Location: Braintree, Essex
Pay: £16.75 per hour PAYE
Job Type: Temporary, Part-Time
Hours: 30 hours per week
Contract: Initial 3 months

About the Role

We are recruiting for an Executive Support Officer to support Braintree District Council, working in partnership with Essex County Council. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Personal Assistant, Executive Assistant or Senior Administrator to provide high-level administrative support to senior leaders and elected Members.

You will support the Corporate Management Board and Cabinet, helping to coordinate meetings, manage important correspondence and ensure the smooth running of executive-level activities.

This role requires someone who is organised, discreet and confident working with senior stakeholders in a professional and sometimes politically sensitive environment.

The successful candidate will be required to work on-site three days per week.

What You’ll Do

• Provide administrative and PA support to senior managers, the Corporate Management Board and Cabinet.

• Manage MP correspondence, ensuring communications are logged, monitored and responded to appropriately.

• Coordinate diaries, appointments and meetings for members of the Executive Team.

• Prepare meeting agendas, minutes and supporting documentation for senior-level and confidential meetings.

• Build effective working relationships with internal departments, elected Members, external partners and stakeholders.

• Assist with planning and coordinating public events and executive-level meetings.

• Welcome visitors and provide professional support to senior executives and the Leader of the Council.

• Support procurement activities, payments for goods and services, and the collection of reports and data.

• Work collaboratively with other Personal Assistants and administrative colleagues to provide cover and maintain an effective service.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience as a Personal Assistant, Executive Assistant, Senior Administrator or Business Support Officer supporting senior managers.

• Strong diary management, meeting coordination and minute-taking skills.

• Experience preparing professional correspondence, reports, agendas and meeting documents.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to handle confidential information tactfully and professionally.

• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Publisher.

• Experience of event planning and coordinating meetings with multiple stakeholders.

• The ability to work confidently in a demanding environment where priorities can change.

• A professional and diplomatic approach, particularly when dealing with sensitive information and senior stakeholders.

Who Might Suit This Role

This opportunity could suit an experienced Executive Assistant, Senior PA, Committee Officer, Governance Officer, Corporate Support Officer or Senior Business Support Administrator.

Candidates with experience in local government, council administration, public sector organisations, executive offices or corporate environments may have particularly relevant transferable skills.

Experience working with elected Members, Cabinet meetings, civic procedures or politically sensitive correspondence would be beneficial.

Why Join?

• Competitive hourly pay of £16.75 PAYE or £21.45 Umbrella.

• A part-time, 30-hour working week.

• An initial three-month contract offering valuable experience within local government.

• The opportunity to support senior leaders and contribute to an important public service.

• A varied role combining executive support, stakeholder engagement and event coordination.