The Executive Assistant team works with the Chief Executive, Executive Directors and Senior Leadership Group, who deliver a wide range of services across the council from Digital Transformation to Environment and Social Care. We recognise working in local government is so diverse, so what matters most to us is your positive problem-solving attitude and the collaborative way you work! This is an opportunity to join a friendly and supportive team who work together in a complex fast paced environment to assist Executive and Assistant directors to manage their time, priorities and focus effectively. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities. We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity is the key to our success. About the role The EA Team provides a shared, consistent service; on a journey of continuous improvement, adopting new digital tools to make yours and your assigned Director's life easier, looking for opportunities to improve processes and working across the council to influence ways of working in those teams as well. Duties & responsibilities: Full duties and responsibilities for this role are in the attached Job Description. On appointment you will be assigned to members of SLG and deliver a level of EA support as appropriate with additional duties being covered as and when required. Duties will include: To support Reading’s Senior Leadership Group (SLG) productivity through effective time management, underpinned by a comprehensive understanding of priorities/objectives. Providing secretariat function to predetermined meetings. By using initiative appropriately, assess and prioritise incoming requests and enquiries. This includes using business knowledge and understanding of the SLG members and Council priorities. You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place. Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this: Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed About you You are a highly motivated and flexible individual, are naturally solutions-focused and committed to delivering excellent customer service. With your well-developed interpersonal skills, you handle situations with resilience, diplomacy and discretion. The following will help you to hit the ground running: Assess and evaluate enquiries, situations and issues for appropriate priority and action. With a demonstrable ability to progress through to resolution, often independently. You have exceptional planning & organisational skills, managing conflicting priorities. Strong IT skills will mean that you look for new ways to automate tasks and improve efficiencies within the Executive Assistant team and your assigned Director’s immediate work. Complex diary management, on behalf of another. If you tick these boxes, then we really want to hear from you! Our offer We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you will get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment. A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including: Generous holiday entitlement A wide range of flexible working opportunities such as working from home Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted, and a salary sacrifice scheme to help lower the cost of your nursery fees Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax For more information on this position please contact Claire Elderfield, Executive Assistant Team Leader at Claire.Elderfield@reading.gov.uk Closing date: Sunday 8th June Interview Date: Thursday 12th June, in person at the Civic Offices Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.. Location : Reading, Berkshire