Executive Assistant (Westmorland, Furness & Eden)

Job Title: Executive Assistant

Responsible to: Tim Farron MP and the Chair of the Westmorland, Furness and Eden Liberal Democrats

Salary: £25,000pa

Hours: Full time (37.5 hours per week)

Tenure: Permanent

Location: Kendal, Cumbria

Closing Date: 5pm Tuesday 7th May 2024 

Purpose of the job

This is a split role between Tim Farron MP and the Westmorland, Furness and Eden Liberal Democrats to manage the busy constituency office in the centre of Kendal, co-ordinate work in the constituency, and support the work of the MP, local party and staff. To report regularly to the MP and the Local Party Executive and advise on such measures as are needed to ensure delivery to a high standard against agreed plans and targets.

Job Description:

• Overall management of the Member’s diary, ensuring that the diary is used as the most effective tool to achieve specific objectives
• Responsible for monitoring the budget, keeping the Member informed of financial matters and liaising with IPSA on the Member’s behalf
• Set up regular advice surgeries across the constituency
• Perform effective secretarial and administrative support
• Manage all office administration, ensuring accurate personnel records are kept
• Ensure the office is fully equipped on an ongoing basis
• Liaise with groups/personnel in Westminster, within the constituency and with the general public on the Member’s behalf as necessary
• Manage the process of recruitment and selection of staff
• Oversee the physical aspects of the office, including security, health and safety
• Assist the Constituency Campaigns Manager in the delivery of the campaign plan
• Oversee all fundraising work and co-ordinate the work of the Member
• Assist the Constituency Campaigns Manager with the coordination of volunteers
• Monitor all data protection and health and safety issues and recommend action where needed
• Ensure that records are kept and information managed confidentially and in line with the Data Protection Act
• Undertake such training as required and recommended
• Undertake any other duties the line manager may require to further effective communication, campaigning and organisation

Person Specification:

The post holder will be hard working, flexible, highly organised, assertive, pragmatic and politically astute.  They will be willing and able to support the MP and the local party administratively and logistically and be willing and able to work with both paid staff members and volunteers.

Essential experience / qualities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong attention to detail and highly developed organisational skills
• Awareness of local, regional and national political issues
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritise a demanding workload to meet deadlines
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Have a working knowledge of standard administrative practises and computer packages
• Experience working in a busy office
• Driving licence and use of a car
• Sympathetic to the aims and objectives of the Liberal Democrats 

Desired experience / qualities

• Experience of monitoring or managing budgets
• Experience of working with volunteers and improving the volunteer experience
• Experience of working in a political environment
• Knowledge of the constituency and local issues

How to apply:

Please take a few minutes to complete our Equality and Diversity Monitoring Forms then proceed with your application. 

Please send your application to Lucy Johnson at lucy@timfarron.co.uk with no more than a 2-page CV and 1-page covering letter, stating specifically how your experience and skills match the job role.

Brief written exercises and interviews will be held at Tim Farron’s constituency office in May 2024. Start date will ideally be as soon as possible.

Applicants are encouraged to inform us if any reasonable adjustments are needed to be made during any part of the recruitment process.

Please let us have details of two referees including one from your current employer – if you would prefer us not to contact them until a later stage of the selection process, please let us know.

Please note: We will not be able to employ you if you are not eligible to work in the UK. We will not be able to obtain a work permit on your behalf. Diversity, Inclusion and Equality is at our core here at Liberal Democrats, we promote behaviours that support the equality of all people and we believe it’s important to celebrate what makes us unique and help to educate people about the different cultures, orientations, genders and more.