PA to the Executive Leadership Team Corporate Services

About The Role

Overview 

As the PA to our Executive Leadership Team (ELT), you will provide comprehensive, proactive and professional administrative and executive support, ensuring the effective coordination of leadership activities, management of priorities and smooth operation of the executive function.

The postholder will play a key role in supporting the effectiveness of the Executive Leadership Team by managing diaries, coordinating meetings, preparing documentation, facilitating communication and ensuring actions and commitments are followed through.

Working across the organisation, the role will require strong organisational skills, sound judgement, discretion and the ability to manage competing demands from multiple senior leaders. The postholder will act as a central point of coordination between the Executive Leadership Team, Senior Managers, colleagues and external stakeholders.

The role requires an individual who is highly organised, solutions-focused and able to anticipate requirements, take ownership and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the organisation’s leadership and decision-making processes.

Starting Salary: £ Competitive (depending on experience) with performance related incentive scheme and excellent benefits.

Location: You will be working at the Advance Northumberland Wansbeck Workspace, located in Ashington, Northumberland, Rotary Parkway, NE63 8QZ.  There will be an expectation that you will need to travel to other locations within Northumberland.

If you would like to have an informal discussion regarding this role, please contact Pam Robertson, Head of People and Organisational Development on 0749 4279639

How to apply

To apply for this position, please send us your CV, and a letter of application, stating why you want to work for us, and what you would bring to the role.

Please also complete the application form on our website and send these to workforus@advancenorthumberland.co.uk

Applications will close for this position on 4^th December 2026 at 10.00am

This may be closed at an earlier period, if we receive a high number of applications.

Our Values

We are looking for people who embody the Advance Northumberland values; people who are accountable and resilient, who are open to change with strong innovation skills. They will be collaborative; effective in relationship building and stakeholder engagement with the potential to build relationships effectively at all levels. They will demonstrate respect for our colleagues, our customers and our partners and be able to use their initiative in their work. They will be ambitious about their career and for the future success of Advance Northumberland, with a real customer and team focus; motivated and enthusiastic about their contribution to our success.

Who are we?

Overview

We are a diverse property and investment company who deliver opportunities to improve prosperity, tackle inequalities and drive economic growth in support of Northumberland County Council. We collaborate with stakeholders and partners to deliver positive physical and economic development and focus on the needs and aspirations of the county.

We have the recognition of being a Real Living Wage Employer, and other awards such as our Good Work Pledge, and the Ambassador Status for the Better Health at Work Award.

We have a mission to build a better future for people in Northumberland, as we focus exclusively on regenerating the county.

Within Advance Northumberland Group we have several subsidiary companies, including our new build housing team - Ascent Homes, our residential lettings team, our commercial and investment team, our Land and Project team and our newly formed sustainability and ecology team – Advance Green Futures.

Corporate Services

Our corporate services team provide a wide range of services across the business, covering, people, finance, IT, governance and health & safety.

Advance Green Futures 

Our newly formed Ecology and Sustainability team is responsible for creating and managing  the third largest habitat bank in the country, as well as ensuring that our activities are sustainable.

We have exciting plans for growth in this area of the business and to develop new business opportunities in the sustainability sector.

Ascent Homes

Ascent Homes is an agile developer buying, developing, delivering, and selling across a wide range of projects from the refurbishment and regeneration of buildings. Ascent work tirelessly to develop interesting, innovative homes.

Ascent have delivered over 600 new homes in Northumberland, generated over £97.4 million over the last five years, and 75% of spend has been invested in local companies.

Projects

Our Project team are a critical component of the company’s unique mix of skills. The team manage the delivery of the investment and regeneration.

Projects have £34.5 million projects that are currently in construction, £76.5 million projects in the development stage, and have created over 700 construction jobs in development.

Recent projects that have been delivered are the Ashington, Morpeth and Berwick Leisure Centres, Manor Walks, and restaurants such as The Amble Inn.

Commercial

The commercial team have a diverse portfolio of quality business accommodation to rent or buy, including industrial units, offices, business parks, and fully managed workspaces.

Currently, we have a 96% occupancy rate, 100% statutory compliance, 3 managed workspaces, £148 million portfolio asset value, and over 600 businesses operating from our properties.

Investments

Our investments team are the regeneration vehicle to deliver physical regeneration through Northumberland. We contribute significantly to the profit of the property and development portfolios, working with the Advance Northumberland Development team to deliver on significant projects in Northumberland.

One of our major investment sites is the Northumberland Energy Park, which is home to JDR’s wind farm cable factory.

Homes

Homes offer an outstanding range of quality, affordable homes to rent in Northumberland. We are passionate about delivering exceptional customer service and offer accessibility and security for those wanting to rent. We are committed to supporting people throughout their  tenancy, which is why we provide services linked with building and maintaining our homes to a high standard.

Working for Advance Northumberland

We care about our colleagues and their wellbeing and have been nationally recognised for this. Apart from the competitive salary, we also have fantastic benefits. We focus on our colleague’s health, wealth, and lifestyle.

Role Profile

Job title: PA to the Executive Leadership Team

Reports to: Executive Assistant to the CEO 

Location: Wansbeck Workspace and other locations as part of role.

Role Purpose

To provide comprehensive, proactive and professional administrative and executive support to the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), ensuring the effective coordination of leadership activities, management of priorities and smooth operation of the executive function.

The postholder will play a key role in supporting the effectiveness of the Executive Leadership Team by managing diaries, coordinating meetings, preparing documentation, facilitating communication and ensuring actions and commitments are followed through.

Working across the organisation, the role will require strong organisational skills, sound judgement, discretion and the ability to manage competing demands from multiple senior leaders. The postholder will act as a central point of coordination between the Executive Leadership Team, Senior Managers, colleagues and external stakeholders.

The role requires an individual who is highly organised, solutions-focused and able to anticipate requirements, take ownership and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the organisation’s leadership and decision-making processes.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Leadership Team Support

• Provide high-quality and proactive PA and administrative support to members of the Executive Leadership Team.
• Coordinate and manage executive diaries, appointments and meeting schedules, balancing competing priorities across multiple executives.
• Arrange internal and external meetings, ensuring appropriate preparation, documentation and logistical arrangements.
• Prepare agendas, presentations, reports, briefing papers and other executive documentation.
• Manage correspondence and communications, ensuring matters are appropriately prioritised and directed.
• Monitor executive commitments, deadlines and actions, proactively highlighting potential conflicts or issues.
• Coordinate travel, accommodation and associated arrangements where required.
• Provide cover and support across the executive office to maintain continuity of service.

Executive Leadership Team Meetings and Coordination

• Take responsibility for the coordination and administration of regular ELT meetings.
• Develop and circulate meeting agendas, collate papers and ensure documentation is distributed in a timely manner.
• Attend meetings as required, taking accurate notes and recording decisions and actions.
• Maintain an effective action log, monitor progress and follow up with responsible individuals.
• Coordinate follow-up meetings and ensure outstanding matters are brought back to the appropriate forum.
• Support the planning and coordination of leadership away days, workshops and strategic planning sessions.
• Ensure meetings are well organised, purposeful and effectively administered.

Board and Governance Support

• Assist with the preparation, collation and distribution of confidential ELT and governance documentation.
• Maintain accurate records of meetings, decisions and actions.
• Support effective information flow between the Executive Leadership Team and governance structures.
• Ensure appropriate standards of confidentiality, document control and information management are maintained.

Communication and Stakeholder Management

• Act as a central point of contact for the Executive Leadership Team.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships across all levels of the organisation.
• Liaise with internal departments to coordinate information, responses and actions on behalf of executive leaders.
• Manage sensitive and confidential communications with professionalism and discretion.
• Respond to enquiries, ensuring they are dealt with appropriately and in a timely manner.
• Support effective communication between executives, departments and external partners.
• Represent the executive office positively and professionally.

Business and Operational Support

• Support the Executive Leadership Team in monitoring organisational priorities, commitments and key activities.
• Coordinate information and updates required for executive discussions and decision-making.
• Undertake research and gather information to support reports, presentations and briefings.
• Assist with the coordination of organisational projects, events and corporate activities.
• Monitor actions arising from leadership meetings and support accountability for delivery.
• Identify opportunities to improve administrative processes, systems and ways of working.
• Support the effective operation of the wider executive office.

Financial and Administrative Responsibilities

• Process expenses, invoices and purchase orders in accordance with organisational procedures.
• Maintain accurate records, filing systems and document repositories.
• Coordinate hospitality, events and meeting arrangements.
• Ensure administrative processes are completed efficiently and within required timescales.
• Support the management of executive office resources and supplies where appropriate.

Personal Specification

Essential Criteria

• Proven experience in a Personal Assistant, Executive Assistant or senior administrative support role.
• Experience supporting senior managers, directors or members of an executive team.
• Excellent organisational, planning and prioritisation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple diaries and competing demands effectively.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent IT skills, particularly Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams.
• Experience organising meetings, preparing documentation and recording actions.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships across an organisation.
• Ability to work independently, use initiative and exercise sound judgement.
• A flexible and adaptable approach to changing priorities.

Desirable

• Experience supporting an Executive Leadership Team or Board.
• Understanding of corporate governance and organisational decision-making processes.
• Experience working in a complex organisation with multiple departments or functions.
• Experience coordinating projects, events or leadership activities.
• Knowledge of business planning, performance reporting and organisational processes.

Personal Attributes and Behaviours

The successful postholder will demonstrate:

• Highly organised: Able to coordinate multiple priorities and maintain effective systems and processes.
• Proactive: Anticipates requirements, identifies potential issues and takes action without always needing direction.
• Collaborative: Builds positive relationships and works effectively with a range of senior leaders and colleagues.
• Discreet and trustworthy: Demonstrates integrity and maintains the highest standards of confidentiality.
• Resilient: Remains calm, professional and effective when working under pressure.
• Flexible: Responds positively to changing priorities and the needs of different executive leaders.
• Solutions-focused: Uses initiative to resolve issues and identify practical improvements.
• Professional: Demonstrates confidence, diplomacy and credibility when representing the executive office.
• Accountable: Takes ownership of responsibilities and ensures commitments and actions are followed through.
• Commercially aware: Understands organisational priorities and the importance of effective executive support in achieving business objectives.