Executive Assistant to the Mayor - #1780028

Job Description

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE MAYOR OF NEWHAM

PO3 £44,331-£47,532 pa

Would you thrive in a vital role supporting Newham’s Directly Elected Mayor in carrying out her executive and community leadership functions effectively?

This is a fast-paced, exciting and varied role which will provide challenge, opportunity and satisfaction in equal measure. Working closely with the Directly Elected Mayor to provide her with comprehensive support to allow her to make best use of her time, and carry out her role focussing on her priorities delivering the Building a Fairer Newham ambitions. You will be a key part of the wider Mayor’s Office team working with colleagues and Councillors across the council, ensuring effective co-ordination between diaries to support effective management of the council’s business. You’ll also be a key interface between the Mayor and resident and community groups and partners, supporting the Mayor in carrying out her community leadership role effectively.

Newham is one of the fastest growing, young and diverse boroughs in the country. We have over 351,000 residents, over seven in ten of whom are from Black, Asian and ethnically diverse communities. We are the third fastest growing borough in London.

As Newham’s Directly Elected Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, is driving a pioneering people-powered council agenda to deliver growth that puts people and communities at the forefront of all we do and celebrates the borough’s diversity. Her ambitious growth plans are anchored in Community Wealth Building to tackle poverty and build an inclusive economy, as well as taking real action in the face of the Climate Emergency.

With a good understanding of councils and working in a political environment, and providing direct support to senior leaders, you will be able to work to a high-level with minimal supervision, managing a complex and changing diary accurately, forward planning and ensuring best use of the Mayor’s time and ensuring she is well briefed and supported. You will be able to build strong, trusted relationships, demonstrate political awareness, maintain confidentiality and handle issues sensitively. You’ll be able to manage busy inboxes, triaging information that comes in and ensuring it’s actioned appropriately, action the Mayor’s requests and decisions accurately, draft letters and replies, record gifts & hospitality and manage administrative tasks such as applying for annual parking permits and travel arrangements.

You will work flexibly, with at least 3 days a week in the office and some out of normal hours working (evenings and weekends).

Closing Date: Friday 4th July

To apply please submit your CV and supporting statement in no more than x2 A4 sides explaining your suitability and how you meet the criteria for the role as set out in the Job Description and Person Specification.

To view the job description and person specification please here

For further information about the role, contact: Robert Cayzer, Interim Head of the Mayor’s Office, [email protected]

Additional Information

We are committed to creating an inclusive, anti-racist environment for all. When you apply for a job at Newham, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. If you share our vision and values, and you bring the experience and skills we need, that’s all that matters to us.

The London Borough of Newham has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

We practice anonymised recruitment. Please ensure that you remove all personal information from any documents that you upload.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn.

About Us

The London Borough of Newham is located only 5 miles east of London. It is well positioned with access to all major networks in London and the south east. It is well connected by public transport with, bus, tube and DLR. When the Crossrail service opens it will call at Custom House close to our council offices and also Stratford station and from there to central London. The London City Airport which serves major European cities is located at Royal Albert Dock. Newham has the youngest overall population in the country. It was one of the six host boroughs for the 2012 Summer Olympics and contains most of the Olympic Park including the London Stadium. It has a thriving arts quarter with the Theatre Royal Stratford East offering excellent entertainment for all the family. There is the University of East London which has two campuses in Newham, one in Stratford and another next to the regenerated Royal Albert Dock. It also has a large Westfield shopping Centre in Stratford which has all the major retailers there.