About this role
Responsible to: Chief Executive Officer Location: MET Offices (WR14 2LU)
Contract: Part Time / Term Time Only
Role Purpose
To provide a confidential and personal service to the Chief Executive Officer, carrying out a range of secretarial and administrative tasks and maintaining an efficient running of the Chief Executive Officer’s daily business.
Key Responsibilities Managing enquiries
Act as the first point of contact for colleagues and stakeholders looking to speak with the Chief Executive Officer
Deal with telephone and face-to-face enquiries efficiently and in a professional and supportive manner
Assist with managing the Trust email inbox, ensuring the school meets its expected response times and emails for the Chief Executive Officer are acted on
Manage enquiries and requests efficiently, referring where necessary
Welcome visitors on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer
Assist staff, parents, governors and other stakeholders with the information and support they need
Open and respond to mail, escalating to the Chief Executive Officer where necessary
Handle all confidential correspondence with discretion
Administration and diary management
Coordinate the Chief Executive Officer’s diary, making decisions around priorities and ensuring the Chief Executive Officer is suitably briefed
Organise travel and accommodation arrangements
Support the Chief Executive Officer to manage their workload, advising on priorities where appropriate
Prepare the Chief Executive Officer for meetings by assembling reports and relevant documents
Respond to appropriate requests for information from governors or external agencies
Maintain accurate records in efficient files and online systems
Support with the coordination of certain school events, under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer
Complete desktop research for the Chief Executive Officer, analysing findings and providing summaries for the Chief Executive Officer
Written communication
Interpret Chief Executive Officer’s comments into draft written correspondence to be sent to relevant stakeholders
Develop written communication that’s professional and upholds the school’s vision and values
Proof-read outgoing communication to ensure it’s of the highest standard
Support the Chief Executive Officer to use Microsoft applications (e.g. Word, Excel, Powerpoint)
Other areas of responsibility
Read and follow the relevant Trust policies
Undertake training required to develop in the role
Ensure all duties and responsibilities are undertaken in line with the Trust health and safety policy
Contribute to the safety of children and young people and protect them from harm
Provide administrative support for the wider senior leadership team when required
Maintain a high degree of confidentiality with regard to issues concerning members of staff and pupils.
Respond with tact, sensitivity and awareness to pupils and parents in relation to duties undertaken Requirements and Qualifications
criteria
qualities
Qualifications and training
GCSE or equivalent level, including at least a grade 4 (grade C) in English and maths
Experience
Carrying out administrative and secretarial tasks
Dealing with face-to-face and telephone interactions
Working with children or young people
Working and collaborating within a team
Skills and knowledge
Good oral and written communications skills
Ability to respond quickly and effectively to issues that arise
Ability to plan, organise and prioritise to meet deadlines
Ability to produce meeting minutes and documents of a high quality
Ability to use own initiative and take action accordingly
Excellent attention to detail
Ability to use IT packages including word processing, spreadsheets and presentation software
Ability to use relevant office equipment effectively
Ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues
Understanding of data protection and confidentiality
Understanding of safeguarding
Personal qualities
Commitment to promoting the ethos and values of the school and getting the best outcomes for all pupils
Commitment to acting with integrity, honesty, loyalty and fairness to safeguard the assets, financial probity and reputation of the school
Commitment to a team approach; exchanging ideas and providing support to colleagues where needed
Ability to work under pressure and prioritise effectively
Commitment to maintaining confidentiality at all times
Commitment to safeguarding and equality
Embraces change well
Deals with difficult situations effectively
Patient, flexible and adaptable, meticulous and conscientious
Personal Attributes
High integrity, accuracy and attention to detail.
Proactive, professional and able to work independently.
Able to influence without direct authority.
Calm and confident when dealing with challenging situations.
Strong commitment to safety and continuous improvement.
Safeguarding
Mercian Educational Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
The postholder must:
Undergo enhanced DBS clearance.
Follow all safeguarding policies and procedures.
Report concerns immediately to the appropriate safeguarding lead.
Flexibility & Professional Growth
As MET continues to grow and evolve, roles may develop and change focus. The postholder is expected to remain flexible and responsive to the Trust’s needs, and to engage fully in professional development that supports this evolution.
This job description outlines the key duties and responsibilities of the role but is not exhaustive. The postholder may be asked to undertake other tasks commensurate with the role and level of responsibility. It will be reviewed annually and may be amended following consultation.
Mercian Educational Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
ExperienceEssentialDesirableMinimum of 2 years’ experience working in a similar roleXCarrying out administrative and secretarial tasks XDealing with face-to-face and telephone interactions XWorking with children or young people XWorking and collaborating within a team XSafeguardingEssentialDesirableAbility to perform a role that involves infrequent contact with childrenXThis post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020XSkills and knowledgeEssentialDesirableGood oral and written communications skillsXAbility to respond quickly and effectively to issues that ariseXAbility to plan, organise and prioritise to meet deadlinesXAbility to produce meeting minutes and documents of a high qualityXAbility to use own initiative and take action accordingly XExcellent attention to detail XAbility to use IT packages including word processing, spreadsheets and presentation software XAbility to use AI to enhance role, tasks and communicationsXAbility to use relevant office equipment effectively XAbility to build effective working relationships with colleagues XUnderstanding of data protection and confidentiality XUnderstanding of safeguardingXPersonal Qualities and EducationEssentialDesirableGCSE or equivalent level, including at least a grade 4 (grade C) in English and maths XCommitment to promoting the ethos and values of the Mercian Educational Trustand getting the best outcomes for all pupilsXCommitment to acting with integrity, honesty, loyalty and fairness to safeguard the assets, financial probity and reputation of the TrustXCommitment to a team approach; exchanging ideas and providing support to colleagues where neededXAbility to work under pressure and prioritise effectivelyXCommitment to maintaining confidentiality at all timesXCommitment to safeguarding and equalityXEmbraces change wellXDeals with difficult situations effectivelyXPatient, flexible and adaptable, meticulous and conscientious