The closing date is 27th Jul 2026
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Job summary
We are seeking a highly organised and proactive Senior Personal Assistant to provide comprehensive and efficient secretarial and administrative support to the Service Group Director and Senior Service Group Leadership Team within Mental Health & Learning Disabilities.
This is a pivotal role, acting as a key representative for the Service Group and ensuring the smooth organisation of meetings, correspondence, diaries, and documentation. You will be the first point of contact for enquiries, handling requests with professionalism, discretion and initiative.
The post holder will make informed decisions within their area of responsibility, ensuring that agreed standards and targets are consistently met in line with Trust, departmental and national policies and procedures. You will also act as a source of advice and guidance to senior leaders, maintaining high standards of confidentiality when managing complex and sensitive information.
As a key member of the leadership team, you will contribute to wider service group responsibilities, including project work and full coordination of formal committees and senior-level meetings.
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Main duties, tasks & skills required
Provide comprehensive PA and secretarial support to the Service Group Director and Senior Leadership Team
Manage complex diaries, prioritising and coordinating appointments using sound judgement
Organise, coordinate and support formal meetings, including agenda preparation, minute taking and action tracking
Act as the first point of contact for the Service Group, handling enquiries professionally and efficiently
Maintain effective communication with senior leaders, internal teams and external stakeholders
Prepare, format and quality check reports and documentation for senior review
Ensure all confidential and sensitive information is handled with discretion and in line with policies
Support the coordination and delivery of projects and service group initiatives
Maintain effective administrative systems, ensuring accuracy, accessibility and audit compliance
Work collaboratively with other PAs and administrative staff to ensure seamless service delivery
Provide advice, guidance and support to staff across the service in relation to administrative processes
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About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
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Job description
Please see attached Job Description & Person Specification for further details of duties and responsibilities.
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Person specification
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Qualifications
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Essential
Educated to degree level or demonstrate equivalent experience
Diploma level/NVQ 4 in Business and Administration
GCSE A Levels or equivalent
RSA/OCR III or equivalent typing/word processing
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Desirable
Additional professional qualifications relevant to the post
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Experience
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Essential
Experience in taking minutes
Experience in Audio Typing
Experience in managing small projects
Experience of setting up and maintaining office systems
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Desirable
Proven previous experience working as a PA to a Director/Senior Manager
Experience of managing staff
Experience in shorthand
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Additional Criteria
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Essential
Access to transport to travel in connection with the post to attend meetings, work from different bases, or training events across the county
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Desirable
Driving Licence
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For help with your application, contact:
Mark Arruda-Bunker
[email protected]
07353897583
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Pay scheme
Agenda for Change
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Band
Band 5
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Salary
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£32073.00 to £39043.00 Yearly
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Contract
Permanent
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Working pattern
Full-Time
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Reference number
184-OL-GR-5082
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Job locations
Wellsprings Hospital
Cheddon Road
Taunton
Somerset
TA2 7AU
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