Executive Support Officer

3 Month Contract With A Local Authority

To provide professional executive, administrative and business support to the Corporate Management Board, Cabinet, Executive Team and Executive Support Manager, ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of senior leadership functions across the Council.

The postholder will coordinate high-level administrative activities, manage sensitive correspondence, support meetings and events, and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. The role requires a highly organised and proactive individual capable of working in a politically sensitive environment while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism at all times.

Key Responsibilities

Executive & Administrative Support

• Provide high-quality administrative and executive support to senior managers and Council leadership.
  
  
  


• Support the Executive Support Manager in delivering an effective Executive Support Service.
  
  
  


• Assist with diary management and meeting coordination for members of the Executive Team.
  
  
  


• Arrange meetings, appointments and executive-level engagements.
  
  
  


• Prepare agendas, meeting packs and supporting documentation.
  
  
  


• Take minutes and record actions where required.
  
  
  


• Coordinate the collection of reports, information and updates from services.
  
  
  

Correspondence Management

• Manage and monitor MP correspondence.
  
  
  


• Ensure correspondence is logged, tracked and responded to within required timescales.
  
  
  


• Draft, format and issue professional correspondence, emails and documentation.
  
  
  


• Handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately.
  
  
  

Stakeholder & Relationship Management

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  Build effective working relationships with:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  • Executive Team Members
    
    
    
  
  
  • Senior Managers
    
    
    
  
  
  • Elected Members
    
    
    
  
  
  • External Partners
    
    
    
  
  
  • Residents and Stakeholders
    
    
    
  
  
  
  


• Act as a professional point of contact for visitors and external enquiries.
  
  
  


• Receive and assist visitors attending meetings with members of the Executive Team or Council leadership.
  
  
  

Meeting & Event Coordination

• Organise executive-level and partnership meetings.
  
  
  


• Coordinate highly sensitive internal and external meetings.
  
  
  


• Assist with planning and delivery of events and engagement activities.
  
  
  


• Support civic, corporate and public events where required.
  
  
  


• Ensure meeting logistics, venues and documentation are arranged effectively.
  
  
  

Procurement & Financial Administration

• Support procurement activities and purchasing requirements.
  
  
  


• Assist with payment processing for goods and services.
  
  
  


• Maintain accurate administrative and financial records in line with Council procedures.
  
  
  

Team Support

• Work collaboratively within the Executive Support Team.
  
  
  


• Provide support and cover for colleagues when required.
  
  
  


• Contribute to the continuous improvement of administrative processes and service delivery.
  
  
  


• Undertake additional duties as directed by the Executive Support Manager.
  
  
  

Requirements

Essential

• Significant experience providing PA or executive administrative support to senior managers.
  
  
  


• Experience managing diaries, meetings and executive schedules.
  
  
  


• Experience preparing agendas, reports and meeting documentation.
  
  
  


• Experience taking accurate minutes and managing action logs.
  
  
  


• Experience working in a politically sensitive or senior leadership environment.
  
  
  


• Strong organisational and workload management skills.
  
  
  


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  
  
  


• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities.
  
  
  


• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  Excellent IT skills including:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  • Microsoft Word
    
    
    
  
  
  • Excel
    
    
    
  
  
  • PowerPoint
    
    
    
  
  
  • Outlook
    
    
    
  
  
  • Publisher
    
    
    
  
  
  
  


• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
  
  
  


• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  
  
  


• Professional, proactive and resilient approach.
  
  
  

Desirable

• Experience working within Local Government.
  
  
  


• Knowledge of civic procedures and protocol.
  
  
  


• Experience coordinating corporate events and public events.
  
  
  


• Experience supporting elected members or senior leadership teams.
  
  
  


• Knowledge of procurement and financial administration processes.
  
  
  

Additional Information

• Location: Braintree (3 Days On Site Per Week)
  
  
  


• Hours Per Week: 30 Hours
  
  
  


• Payment Frequency: Bi-Weekly Payments