Personal Assistant Permanent Location: Bristol or London Salary : £ 31,908 – £ 33,379 Plus generous Civil Service defined benefit pension and London weigh ting £3,566 where appropriate Who We Are The Office for Students (OfS) is the independent regulator of higher education in England. We regulate higher education on behalf of all students, ensuring that every student, regardless of their background, has a fulfilling experience that enriches their lives and careers. Role Overview We are seeking a highly organi s ed and proactive Personal Assistant to support the Director for Fair Access and Participation within our Regulation directorate. This is an exciting opportunity to join the OfS as we embark on our ambitious new strategy focused on quality, standards, and equality of opportunity. Role Responsibilities As a Personal Assistant to the Director for Fair Access and Participation, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of the Director's office. Your responsibilities will include: Calendar m anagement : Efficiently managing the Director's calendar, scheduling meetings, engagements, and events, and resolving any scheduling conflicts. Email m anagement : Overseeing multiple mailboxes, prioriti s ing and responding to emails, flagging important messages, and ensuring timely follow-up on all correspondence. Briefing p reparation : Preparing and compiling daily briefing packs, including relevant documents, reports, and summaries, to keep the Director informed and prepared for meetings and engagements. Travel c oordination : Arranging travel and accommodation for the Director, ensuring all logistics are handled smoothly. Stakeholder c ommunication : Communicating effectively with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring a positive impression of the OfS. Problem s olving : Addressing day-to-day issues and contributing to the continuous improvement of organi s ational processes. Decision m aking : Making informed decisions on diary management and performing initial research to assist the Director in responding to stakeholders. Team c ollaboration : Working as part of a team to deliver time-bound projects and supporting the overall objectives of the Regulation directorate. Working with other personal assistants within the directorate to Solve ad hoc problems that arise in a timely manner, while contributing to continuous improvement of a fast-paced directorate. Minute t aking : Attend meetings with the director, accurately record minutes, and ensure all outstanding actions are captured and followed up. Administrative s ystems : Maintain a comprehensive understanding of administrative systems and procedures, collaborating with the strategic adviser to ensure effective and timely decision-making for both internal and external colleagues. What We Are Looking For – person specification We are seeking a dedicated and proactive individual who embodies the following qualities: Professional e xperience : You have a solid background in office administration, with confident use of standard software and business processes, particularly within the MS Office suite (Word, Outlook, Teams, Excel). Organi sa tional and time management s kills : Your exceptional time management and organi s ational skills enable you to manage multiple tasks efficiently, prioriti s e effectively, and ensure smooth day-to-day operations. Customer s ervice : You are committed to providing excellent customer service to both internal and external stakeholders, ensuring their needs are met promptly and professionally. Attention to d etail : You have a keen eye for detail, ensuring accuracy in managing office records, preparing documents, and handling correspondence. Communication s kills : Your communication skills, both written and verbal, are clear, concise, and tailored to your audience, creating a positive impression of the OfS. Team p layer : You thrive in a team environment, contributing to the successful delivery of time-bound projects and supporting your colleagues. Problem- s olving ab ility : You are adept at identifying and resolving issues, contributing to the continuous improvement of organi s ational processes. Benefits Our Total Reward Framework offers a range of benefits to suit your way of life: 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays Comprehensive learning and development opportunities Generous Civil Service pension scheme Health benefits Diversity and Inclusion We value diversity and the wealth of perspectives, experience, and ideas it brings to our work. We strive to embed equality of opportunity in everything we do and welcome applications from candidates regardless of age, disability, race and ethnicity, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, and socio-economic background. Working Arrangements We embrace flexible and hybrid working arrangements, typically requiring office presence for two or three days per week. Next Steps If you are shortlisted for the role, we will ask you to complete pre-interview tasks. Closing date for applications: Noon Monday 10 March 2025