Personal Assistant to Managing Director
Full-Time | Multi-Site Role – Guildford, Croydon, Maidstone & Other Locations
About the Company
We are a growing group of businesses with operations across the UK, primarily within the automotive and property sectors.
Our automotive portfolio includes multiple MOT testing centres, tyre centres, vehicle repair workshops and related automotive businesses operating across a number of locations. Alongside the automotive businesses, the Managing Director is actively involved in commercial real estate, property acquisitions, development projects and other business ventures.
Due to the variety and continued growth of the businesses, we are looking for a capable and ambitious Personal Assistant to the Managing Director who can become a trusted and dependable part of the management operation.
About the Role
This is considerably more varied than a traditional Personal Assistant position.
The successful candidate will work directly alongside the Managing Director and will gain exposure to different aspects of running and developing multiple businesses.
The role will initially involve learning how the different companies operate, understanding their systems and becoming familiar with the Managing Director’s way of working. Full training and guidance will be provided.
As your knowledge and experience develop, you will be expected to take greater responsibility for handling day-to-day matters and resolving situations on behalf of the Managing Director.
For example, this could involve dealing with an issue at an MOT or tyre centre, communicating with a customer, following up with a supplier, coordinating with a branch manager, obtaining information regarding a property project, assisting with marketing, checking documentation or ensuring that an important task has been completed.
The objective is to find someone who can eventually understand an issue, establish what needs to happen and help bring it to a resolution without requiring the Managing Director to personally oversee every stage.
Key Responsibilities
Your responsibilities will include:
- Providing direct personal and executive support to the Managing Director.
- Managing appointments, meetings, schedules, reminders and priorities.
- Travelling between company locations, primarily Guildford, Croydon and Maidstone, with travel to other locations when required.
- Communicating with branch managers, employees, customers, suppliers and professional advisers.
- Following up outstanding tasks and ensuring matters are progressed and completed.
- Learning the operations of our MOT, tyre and vehicle repair businesses.
- Assisting with operational problems and helping resolve branch-level issues following appropriate training.
- Handling and assisting with customer enquiries, complaints and other customer-facing matters professionally.
- Supporting property and real estate projects, including communicating with agents, solicitors, surveyors, contractors and other relevant parties.
- Assisting with new property acquisitions and ongoing property administration.
- Supporting marketing activities, promotions, social media and coordination with our marketing teams.
- Preparing emails, letters, reports, documents and other business correspondence.
- Supporting general administration across multiple companies.
- Assisting with basic accounts administration, invoices, payments and financial records.
- Liaising with suppliers and obtaining quotations or information when required.
- Organising meetings, appointments, business events and site visits.
- Maintaining accurate records and handling confidential information appropriately.
- Identifying matters requiring attention and proactively following them up.
- Assisting with new ventures and projects undertaken by the Managing Director.
Candidate Requirements
We are looking for someone who:
- Holds a full, clean UK driving licence and is confident travelling regularly between business locations.
- Has previous experience in a customer-facing environment.
- Has experience or a good understanding of marketing and social media.
- Has strong administration and organisational abilities.
- Is confident using email, Microsoft Office and general business software.
- Is comfortable working with figures and assisting with basic accounts administration.
- Has excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Is professional and well-presented, as you will regularly represent the Managing Director and the wider group of businesses.
- Is confident communicating with customers, employees, managers and external professionals.
- Is trustworthy and understands the importance of confidentiality.
- Is proactive and capable of working independently once trained.
- Is a quick learner and willing to understand unfamiliar areas of business.
- Can remain calm and professional when dealing with problems or unexpected situations.
- Can manage several tasks and priorities simultaneously.
- Is willing to travel between locations.
- Has flexibility regarding working hours and weekend availability when required.
Who This Role Would Suit
We are not necessarily looking for someone who already understands every aspect of the automotive or property industries.
We are looking for an intelligent, adaptable and motivated all-rounder who is willing to learn.
Training will be provided to help the successful candidate understand our businesses, processes and the types of situations that regularly arise.
Over time, we want the successful candidate to develop sufficient knowledge and confidence to assess situations, communicate with the appropriate people and help resolve issues on behalf of the Managing Director.
You could therefore find yourself dealing with a customer or operational matter at one of our automotive centres in the morning and assisting with a property acquisition, marketing campaign, accounts query or management meeting later in the day.
Previous experience as a Personal Assistant, Executive Assistant, Office Administrator, Marketing Assistant, Customer Service Executive, Operations Assistant or similar would be beneficial.
Career Development
This position offers considerably more exposure than a conventional PA role.
The successful candidate will work closely with the Managing Director and gain practical experience across business operations, automotive services, real estate, marketing, administration, customer relations and accounts.
As the candidate develops, there will be opportunities to take on greater responsibility and potentially progress into a senior executive support, operations or management position within the group.
Sponsorship
For suitable candidates, UK Skilled Worker sponsorship may be considered, subject to the position and individual meeting the applicable eligibility, salary, occupation and immigration requirements.
Sponsorship is not automatically guaranteed and will be considered on an individual basis.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary based on experience and capability.
- Direct experience working alongside the Managing Director.
- Exposure to multiple established and growing businesses.
- Full training on our internal operations and processes.
- Experience across both the automotive and real estate sectors.
- Opportunity to become involved in new business ventures and acquisitions.
- Significant career development opportunities.
- Potential progression into operations or management.
- Potential sponsorship for eligible candidates.
Job Type: Full-timeWorking Locations: Guildford, Croydon, Maidstone and other company locations as requiredDriving Licence: Full clean UK driving licence essentialWeekend Availability: Required when necessaryExperience: Customer service, administration and/or marketing experience preferred
Pay: £32,000.00-£38,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
