PA to Head of Department/Department Administrator (Part Time, Fixed Term)

The Department of Plant Sciences has an exciting recruitment opportunity to join our professional services team as PA to the Head of Department and Departmental Administrator. This is a key role supporting Department research and education activity. Based in central Cambridge, we can offer a welcoming and inclusive work environment where you will be encouraged to develop and achieve your full potential with training and management support.

The Department of Plant Sciences is a large teaching and research Department in the School of Biological Sciences with approximately 26 Academics leading research groups, 200 members of staff and 100 postgraduate students.

You will provide a comprehensive PA service to the Head of Department and Departmental Administrator to ensure the efficient management of their time and work, covering tasks such as arranging meetings, preparation of meeting papers and minute-taking, and co-ordinating organisation of Department events. You will also take responsibility for some HR tasks including visitor administration. You will join a friendly administrative team with support and training on University systems provided as required.

Ideally you will have relevant PA experience with high competency in standard software packages (Word, Excel, Outlook), excellent organisational and communication skills, the ability to be pro-active, plan and prioritise a diverse workload, and to work unsupervised and as part of a team.

The post is 29.2 hours per week (0.8 FTE), and fixed term for 3 years.

What we Offer

The University of Cambridge offers excellent benefits and opportunities in a stimulating environment.

The University salary structure includes automatic pay progression in many grades and an annual cost of living increase. In addition to this, employees are rewarded for outstanding contribution through several pay progression schemes. There is also a generous annual leave entitlement.

The University offers employees a wide range of benefits including reduced price health care, a cycle to work scheme, as well as numerous retail discounts.

University-led initiatives in the areas of equality, diversity and wellbeing include the Women's Staff Network, the Disabled Staff Network, the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Staff Network, Parents and Carers and the LGBT+ Network. The Department of Plant Sciences has an active group of Wellbeing Advocates who organise events and other initiatives.

Wellbeing at Cambridge is a University-wide initiative aiming at supporting and maximising the health and wellbeing of staff.

The University offers a range of family-friendly policies including maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave. In addition, workplace nurseries, childcare vouchers, a childcare salary sacrifice scheme and a popular holiday play scheme are available to help support University employees with caring responsibilities.

The Department of Plant Sciences offers all its staff an annual pass for the Botanic Garden.

Contact Catherine Butler for an informal chat about the post by emailing cek31@cam.ac.uk and take a look at our website to find out more about the Department: https://www.plantsci.cam.ac.uk/  

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a health assessment.

Please notice that if you have not received any news from us 1 month after the closing date you should consider that on this occasion your application has not been successful.

Please quote reference PD36046 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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