PA to Managing Director – 12-months, Fixed Term Role

We are looking for an experienced Personal Assistant to cover a career break from mid-May 2024 for 12 months.

We are looking for a people person; someone who is truly diplomatic and able to work constructively with a range of people including colleagues, customers, and stakeholders.

Come and join our team!
54North Homes owns and manages over 3,000 homes throughout Yorkshire. The housing association was formed in December 2022, through a merger between Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association and York Housing Association and is a subsidiary of the Karbon Homes Group.  Our joining of forces with Karbon Homes affords us the opportunity for further development., ensuring we continue to make a positive contribution to the communities in which we work.

At 54North, we believe in providing high quality, affordable homes that are safe, warm and secure and in supporting our customers to live well in their communities. We put customers at the heart of everything that we do and strive to provide an excellent level of service. This extends beyond the bricks and mortar of our homes to empowering our customers and working in partnership to offer a range of other services, from training to financial support.

In addition to investing in our existing properties, we have an ambitious development programme and will provide 250 new sustainable homes throughout Yorkshire in the next three years to help address the shortage of good-quality affordable housing in the region.

About you
- You will be an exceptionally organised individual with a passion for providing top-notch support. You will have the ability to organise tasks effectively, multitask, and problem-solve.
- You will be supporting our Managing Director to ensure the business runs efficiently and effectively, decision making is timely, and objectives are met. Discretion, flexibility, and adaptability are key to your success in this role.
- You will be a member of the People and Resources Team, working closely with our Personal Assistant to the Executive Team to facilitate the smooth running of our offices.

Key Information
It’s important to us that you feel fairly rewarded for the work you do. We offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that supports the wellbeing of our people.
• PA to Managing Director – 12-month fixed term role
• Salary is £35,663 per annum
• Location: typically 2 days in our Leeds office, with occasional travel to our York office.
• 37 Hours per week with homeworking available/flexible working
• Generous benefits package including 26 days annual leave, occupational pension, health cash plan, and birthday leave

We recognise the contribution people with criminal records can make as colleagues and we welcome all applications. A criminal record will not exclude a candidate from being appointed because of offences that are irrelevant to, and do not place them at, or make them a risk in the role they’re applying for.

The role you're applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (ROA). The successful candidate(s) will be asked to submit a basic disclosure and barring check application during pre-employment checks.

The Role of PA to the Managing Director
Working alongside the PA to Executive Leadership Team and Governance Officer, you will be responsible for:
Supporting the Managing Director (MD)
• Manage the MD’s diary.
• Arrange MD travel and accommodation for meetings and conferences.
• Assist the MD with responding to queries and correspondence and provide a high standard of customer service by taking appropriate action to resolve issues.
• Prepare/format reports and presentations as required by the MD.
• Support the Governance Officer, Chair and Board members as required.
• Vet requests for time and route requests to other departments.
• Draft letters and replies on behalf of the MD.
• Process expenses, mileage, and credit card statements.

Supporting the PA to the Executive Leadership Team (ELT)
• Be aware of organisational issues so that matters are dealt with to prevent escalation.
• Provide project support.
• Work with the PA to the ELT to arrange team meetings, events, training and away days.
Office Management Support – Leeds office
• Work with the PA to the ELT and Facilities Manager to ensure smooth running of our offices.
• Liaise with cleaners, facilities providers, landlord etc as required.
• Order office supplies, arrange catering, support with IT and tech.
• Keeping colleagues informed.
• Work with the Governance Officer and PA to ELT to support/prep for MD, Exec, Board and Committee meetings as required (pre-registering, car parking, greeting, room set up, tech etc.)
People and Resources Team
• Work within the People and Resources Team to ensure delivery of objectives and provide a seamless and efficient service.
• Have a creative and solution-based approach to your work and role within the team.
• Support with team wide tasks, projects, and cover.
• Support with arranging colleague events.

If this sounds like the role for you then please apply through the Karbon Homes website – https://www.karbonhomes.co.uk/careers/

Important dates
Closing date for applications
Monday 6 May 2024

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. Therefore, please apply early to ensure you are considered for the post.

Interview date
Friday 17 May 2024

For further details please refer to the Role Description atttached to this advert.

To give yourself the best chance of being shortlisted, you need to provide full details and examples in the Supporting Statement based on the criteria in the person specification.

For further information about the role please contact paula.whylie@54Northhomes.co.uk

We are committed to equality and diversity and are an inclusive employer. We welcome applications from people of all ages, disability/non-disability, ethnicities, genders, religions, sexualities, transgender status, and cultural backgrounds. Any candidate with a disability who meets the essential criteria for the post will be guaranteed an interview.

Neurodiversity Support Recruitment
We believe that everyone has unique strengths and skills to contribute to our workplace. We strive to create an environment that is inclusive and accessible for all. As neurodiversity is broad and unique to candidates, we are rethinking the selection process and removing barriers to allow candidates to fully showcase their true abilities and potential.

Reasonable adjustments we can consider:
• Questions in advance of the interview
• specific and concrete questions rather than hypothetical questions
• Adjustments to the physical working environment e.g., tests and interviews to take place in a venue with low sensory stimulus
• Accepting video/recorded CVs where requested
• Recording videos that describe the role and responsibilities - use of visual aids/process maps for hierarchies and processes.
• Extra time for tests/assessments
• Mentors and/or buddies during induction

Further advice
If you need further advice or assistance to apply for the role, please contact Human Resources by email at: paula.whylie@54northhomes.co.uk