Job Title: Executive Support Team Manager
Contract:Â Permanent
Working Hours:Â 37
Salary:Â Grade 10
Location:Â Service Headquarters, Kelvedon, Witham
*We are open to discuss working arrangements including flexibility over hours and location
The Role
The Executive Support Team directly supports the Chief Fire Officer and the Service Leadership Team.
The Team Manager will provide high-level business, strategic, tactical, and technical support to the Chief Fire Officer and Deputy Chief Fire Officer.
Alongside this, this role manages a busy Executive Support team, as well as the Front of House team.
What You Will Be Working On
Management of two teams (Executive Support and Front of House)
Management of team budgets
Management of diaries, in boxes and meetings on behalf of the Directors
Taking ownership of enquiries, queries and actions
Creation of meeting reports and meeting packs
Meeting attendance and action point management
Providing advice and assistance as requested in support of the wider organisation
Liaising with Executive Support Teams and Chief of Staff from the Office of the PFCC, Essex Police, East England Ambulance Service, Local Authorities, and other key partners
What Are We Looking For?
We are looking for an experienced Executive Assistant who already has management experience, or is ready to take the next step into this space.
We expect high levels of communication skills, understanding in aspects of confidential matters, and experience using Microsoft Office applications.
Eligibility
Previous Personal Assistant or Executive Assistant experience is essential for this position.
Relevant software (MS Word/MS Excel/MS PowerPoint/MS Outlook (advanced level)
Strong diary management skills.
Strong organisational and prioritisation skills.
Flexible and adaptable approach and able to work effectively at critical periods
Strong interpersonal and Communication skills (face to face, telephone, written)
Accuracy, precision, and attention to detail.
Self-motivated and able to use own initiative.
If you are an internal candidate, you must have discussed your application with your line manager and confirmed with them there are no outstanding issues of conduct or performance. This will be verified prior to shortlisting.
How to applyÂ
Internal candidates in either the development or resource pool –
If you meet the essential criteria listed above, you should express an interest for the role by clicking Apply in Civica self-service.
All other applications –Â You are required to submit a supporting statement of no more than 750 words detailing how you meet the essential criteria for the role via Civica. It is important that you provide as much evidence as possible as to how you meet the essential criteria of the person specification as this statement will be used to shortlist your application. Please ensure you have uploaded the supporting statement before clicking Apply.
You may submit this either as a word document, pdf, or an mp3 (voice note) or mp4 (video), however the word count must not exceed 750 words no matter which format you choose to present your application.
You may attach separate documents (such as qualifications, or a CV) should you wish, though your additional document will only be referred to in shortlisting to confirm eligibility (e.g., your current role and any existing qualifications).
Assessment and selection:
The assessment and selection approach will be:
Stage 1Â Â
Application & shortlisting (assessment of your supporting statement will be made against the essential criteria of the person specification)
Stage 2
Role specific panel interview
You can see the NFCC Leadership Framework here:
NFCC Leadership Framework (nationalfirechiefs.org.uk)
And guidance around the Code of Ethics here:
Core Code of Ethics (ukfrs.com)
Should you wish to have an informal discussion with regards to the role, please contact recruitment@essex-fire.gov.uk
Our Culture and Benefits
Here at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service we are committed to prioritising and promoting the wellbeing of our employees.
You can find out more about our benefits at https://join.essex-fire.gov.uk/jobs/benefits/
Disability Confident
We are an equal opportunities, Disability Confident, employer who welcomes applications from everyone and values diversity in our workplace. A commitment to promoting diversity and developing a work environment where all staff are treated with dignity and respect is central to our recruitment process and all applications will be considered solely on merit.
As part of our offer to support all our candidates to perform to the best of their abilities during our recruitment and selection processes and we would like to let you know about a couple of support options you can access, should you wish to, including our employee forums, who are keen and willing to support all of our potential colleagues.
Our employee forums and partners include:
Asian Fire Services Association (AFSA), BEING (our LGBTQ+ employee support network), Christian Fellowship, Ethnic Minority Forum, Men’s Forum, and our Women’s Forum. In addition, we also have a female firefighters operational group.
Further to the above, the Service has a Digital Accessibility Inclusion Group (DAIG) that supports all colleagues to improve their digital skills and provides additional support and guidance to colleagues with neurodivergent strengths and struggles as a result of dyslexia, ADHD, Autism, dyspraxia etc. We want everyone to thrive at work, and so we encourage and enable people to access digital tools to help them perform at your best. The DAIG is a group of colleagues from across the Service that unite to support others as a result of their lived experience and desire to make a difference. They support people with a range of visible and invisible disabilities to identify and access digital workplace adjustments and solutions and may be able to assist with your application too.
Should you wish to discuss support, or access further information, from one of these groups, please contact Equality.Diversity@essex-fire.gov.uk
You are also able to raise any queries or requests for support, including any adjustments you may require, at any stage of the process by email to recruitment@essex-fire.gov.uk
You can find out more about Essex County Fire & Rescue Service via www.essex-fire.gov.uk and about our vacancies, application processes and benefits via https://join.essex-fire.gov.uk
Safeguarding
Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Fire and Rescue Authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
It is our policy to require all applicants for employment to disclose if you are currently being investigated by any regulatory body or have any decisions or sanctions pending or in progress in respect of your suitability to work for the Service.
You agree to inform the Service within 24 hours if you are subsequently investigated by any agency or organisation in relation to concerns about your behaviour towards children, young people or vulnerable adults.
The information you provide will be treated as strictly confidential and will be considered only in relation to the appointment for which you are applying.
This role may be subject to a standard/enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.