Personal Assistant to Director and Team Administrator

LGC Ltd (www.lgcgroup.com) is an international life sciences company serving government, academic, pharmaceutical, agricultural biotechnology, food, environment, security and sports sectors. LGC’s Grant Management Group (GMG) oversees multiple research funding programmes on behalf of government departments and national health organisations to improve NHS patient care and outcomes.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). We work in partnership with the NHS, universities, local government, other research funders, patients and the public www.nihr.ac.uk.

The postholder will provide comprehensive and proactive administrative support to the NIHR Life Sciences Industry Leadership Team, including the NIHR Life Sciences Industry Director, The Head of the NIHR Industry Hub and the Head of Industry  Engagement.  The role will also work collaboratively with the other Personal and Directorate Assistants to flexibly manage workload and cover any absences

Context

The Life Sciences Industry Office is the national entry point for all NIHR industry engagement and delivery activity. It provides a coordinated platform supporting NIHR’s ambition to be a globally competitive partner for life sciences research.

Key Responsibilities

Director Support

• Being the single point of contact for Director of Life Sciences Industry
• Ensuring diaries are proactively managed: arranging regular and ad-hoc meetings, identifying and resolving appointment clashes to ensure that the Director’s time is optimised effectively.
• Liaising with PAs and diary managers of senior individuals across the NIHR, Department of Health and Social Care, other public sector and commercial organisations
• Managing and organising the Director’s inboxes; responding to emails where appropriate and flagging emails according to urgency and action required as agreed.
• Represent the Director within the NIHR and when dealing with external stakeholders.

Life Sciences Industry Leadership Team Support

• Organising and servicing the Industry Leadership team meetings and ad hoc external meetings,including preparation of agendas, dissemination of paperwork in a timely manner, writing notes,taking down any actions and following up on them
• Managing travel requirements, including rail and air travel, hotels, conference registrations and venues and ensuring all have information required (e.g. tickets, travel info and maps).
• Booking meeting rooms and catering for internal meetings.
• Ensure that the Director and their direct reports are aware of deadlines for completion of work and are sent timely reminders. Support with any necessary administrative tasks
• Attend the weekly leadership team meetings to ensure the post holder is fully embedded within the Life Sciences Industry Leadership team.
• Act as a source of information and support to staff with regards to processes and systems e.g. HR, Finance, Recruitment
• Communication of information to teams 
• Providing support in the absence of colleagues in the Directors Support Office team

Essential Criteria 

• Experience of providing excellent and proven administrative support to senior individuals with rapidly changing diaries and priorities
• Experience of arranging and supporting meetings and events, including drafting agendas and taking minutes
• Demonstrates sensitivity and confidentiality when dealing with information.
• Demonstrates a clear customer focus and applies good interpersonal skills to develop relationships both internally and with stakeholders from external communities 

Desired Criteria 

• Experience of working in/with the Life Sciences Industry
• A relevant postgraduate qualification
• Good IT skills with experience in using Google Apps

Competencies and Behaviours

• Calm and highly professional manner under pressure
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent diplomatic communication skills - written and verbal
• Proactive, highly organised with the ability to support others in a busy environment. Positive and “can do” attitude
• Ability to recognise opportunities for continuous improvement, suggesting and implementing process and systems improvements
• High degree of flexibility
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent IT skills (G Suite / Google Workspace and Microsoft Teams/Outlook) 

Compensation, Benefits & Working Arrangements:

Salary: £40,300 per annum

Location: Victoria, London (hybrid working model)

Contract Type: Full time, permanent  

Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week 

Annual Leave: 25 days, in addition to UK public holidays

Employee Benefits Include:

Annual, discretionary bonus 

Enhanced Contributory Pension Scheme

Life Insurance Cover

Benenden Healthcare Membership

Training and Development Opportunities 

Season Ticket Loan

NB: We offer a range of work life balance and family friendly, flexible working arrangements. This is an office based, hybrid role with an expectation for all employees to attend our offices 1 day each week, this may increase, subject to team requirements. 

Application

If you are excited about the prospect of joining our team and believe you possess the relevant skills and background, we invite you to apply. Please submit your CV along with a 'Statement of Suitability' that showcases your key skills and experiences in relation to the 'Essential and Desirable Criteria' outlined in the job description. Additionally, share your enthusiasm for working with the NIHR.

Closing date for applications is 9am on 13th April. 

Inclusion and Diversity

LGC strongly believes that every job applicant and employee should be valued for their individual talents regardless of age, disability, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion, or belief. Short listing, interviewing and selection will always be carried out without regard to gender, sexual orientation, marital status, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, age, or trade union membership. 

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to all. If you have any accessibility requirements please contact [email protected] to arrange appropriate support. 

For more information about LGC, please visit our website www.lgcgroup.com