About the Role
This is a unique role and opportunity to become part of the civic life of Maidstone Borough, responsible for the Mayoralty, running the Town Hall and office, and supporting the Mayor of Maidstone in their duties. You will also be responsible for organising, running, and providing civic events for the Borough and the County town of Maidstone, including the Civic Parade and Remembrance Sunday.
We are looking for someone experienced and highly organised to join our small and effective team to lead the Mayor’s office and play a key role in the delivery of civic and ceremonial functions. In particular, you will need to co-ordinate the Mayor’s busy diary, organise and plan civic events, and liaise and build relationships with dignitaries and visitors from the Borough and beyond.
This is a full-time position working 37 hours per week, on a permanent contract, and is responsible for 2 members of staff.
About Maidstone Borough Council
Maidstone Borough Council is a confident organisation with ambition and aspirations to deliver high-quality services to our residents and local businesses. We strive to make the borough an attractive place for all and secure a successful economy. We continue to build on our strengths - assets, knowledge, and expertise and our track record for innovation and improvement to create a financially sustainable future so that we can continue with our undiminished plans.
We will only achieve the results we are aiming for through the talents and hard work of all our people. You are encouraged to become part of our vision and in return, you can expect support, training, and fair reward from us. We will give you the opportunity to develop the skills to do your job well and create a positive working environment where your ideas about improving how we do things are valued, and we manage the changes needed for new ways of working well.
At Maidstone Borough Council, we recognise the importance of flexible working and the benefits this can bring to both our staff and the Council. We know that by offering employees a range of flexible working opportunities, we can positively impact their wellbeing and engagement and drive productivity in return. As such, we have developed a highly flexible hybrid working policy, alongside our flexi-time and flexible working policies, enabling staff to shape their working patterns around building a greater work-life balance.
Our Offer:
A range of benefits including:
1. Highly flexible hybrid working opportunities
2. 7am to 7pm flexi time to suit personal circumstances for most roles
3. Generous holiday entitlement which increases after 5 years LG service plus bank holidays with the option to buy additional leave.
4. Additional 3 days leave given to enable a close down of the offices between Christmas and New Year.
5. Free parking
6. Range of flexible working opportunities to accommodate people’s home/work life balance including compressed hours, 9-day fortnight, part-time.
7. Invitations to staff events to celebrate success and support wellbeing that include holistic therapies and outdoor activities
8. Employee Assistance Programme which provides confidential & independent information and access to counsellors
9. Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with valuable life cover and financial protection for your family.
10. Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
11. Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/bus journey, to & from work
12. Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand-new car. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing, and road tax.
13. Annual flu vaccine
14. Cycle to work scheme
15. Staff benefits discounts on leisure, eating out, holidays, and shopping
16. Excellent learning and career opportunities for committed individuals
17. A professional fee payment, if required for the role
About You:
As the ideal candidate, you will:
1. Have experience of planning and organising significant or high-profile events and functions;
2. Have sound administrative, secretarial, and numeracy skills;
3. Have the ability to deal sensitively and tactfully with a range of dignitaries, senior officials, and other people;
4. Be able to plan work methodically and accurately, handling a variety of tasks and projects at any one time;
5. Be able to make decisions to resolve issues;
6. Make an effective contribution to the work of a small team;
7. Be able to manage the operation of the Town Hall and supervise staff based at the Town Hall.
Selection Process:
Following the submission of your application form, it will be reviewed by the recruiting manager. Those that are successful in securing an interview can expect job-specific interview assessment, followed by an interview.
The Council considers this to be a customer-focused role and the ability to converse at ease with customers adapting communication style to suit differing audiences and provide advice in accurate spoken English is fundamental to the role.
Maidstone Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you would like to discuss this position, please contact Ryan O’Connell, Democratic and Electoral Services Manager on 01622 602503.
To apply for the position please click apply here and complete the online application form or by phone on 01622 602555.
Closing Date: 16th February 2025
Interview Date: 25th February 2025
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