PA to DCNO Professional & System Leadership

Job summary

As PA to the Deputy Chief Nursing Officer - Professional & System Leadership (DCNO PSL) the post holder will provide comprehensive administrative and business support, ensuring the DCNO's responsibilities are effectively managed. This includes managing a complex diary, correspondence, communication, coordination and delegation ensuring the DCNO receives a consistent and high-level of support.

The post holder will work closely with the Senior Advisor to the DCNO and will play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of the DCNO's office, enabling the DCNO to focus on their extensive core responsibilities.

As PA you will need to be confident to self-initiate tasks, be a clear communicator and comfortable operating efficiently and effectively in a high-pressure environment.

Please be aware that should you be successful in this position, you will be hired to the job title of Personal Assistantand this job title is advertised to attract the right skills needed for the role.

Please note previous applicants need not apply.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for an experienced personal assistant who is a strong team player, highly organised, and who has the ability to communicate effectively and professionally with a wide range of people.

Your duties will include but not limited to;

• Complex diary and mailbox management
• Meeting coordination
• Travel arrangements
• Monitoring and recording of annual leave/absences
• Entering expense claims for DCNO
• Respond to ad-hoc, non-routine requests by the DCNO and their direct reports effectively, professionally and in good time.

You will need strong IT skills to be successful in this role.

Meetings/events are held across various sites therefore some flexibility is required.

About us

NHS England has a wide range of statutory functions, responsibilities and regulatory powers. These are focused on supporting the wider NHS to deliver high quality care, as well as doing those things that are best done once for the whole NHS.

Our staff bring expertise across clinical, operational, commissioning, technology, data science, cyber security, software engineering, education, and commercial specialisms -- enabling us to design and deliver high-quality NHS services.

In March 2025, the Government announced that NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care will increasingly merge functions, ultimately leading to NHS England being fully integrated into the department.

If you currently work within the NHS and if successful at interview, we will initiate an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR).This retrieves key data from your current or previous NHS employer to support onboarding, including competency status, Continuous Service Dates (CSD), and annual leave entitlement. You may opt out at any stage of the process.

Colleagues with a contractual office base are expected to spend, on average, at least 40% of their time working in our offices.

Staff recruited from outside the NHS will usually be appointed at the bottom of the pay band.

We cannot offer visa sponsorship for any vacancies.

Job responsibilities

Key responsibilities as PA to DCNO; Diary Management: Managing a complex diary, balancing competing priorities, and coordinating travel arrangements. Meeting Coordination: Preparing agendas, taking minutes, and following up on action items. Correspondence: Handling internal and external communications, including emails and written correspondence. Information Dissemination: Ensuring accurate and timely dissemination of information to relevant parties. Administrative Support: Providing general administrative support, such as filing, data entry, and photocopying. Team Support: Supporting other administrative staff and providing assistance when needed. Confidentiality: Maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information. Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Effectively communicating with a wide range of individuals, both internally and externally. Organisation and Time Management: Managing workload effectively, prioritising tasks, and meeting deadlines.

Secondments

Applicants from within the NHS will be offered on a secondment basis only, agreement should be obtained from their employer prior to submitting the application.

Person specification

Qualifications/Knowledge

Essential

• GCSE English and Maths or equivalent qualification
• Knowledge of and ability to demonstrate a full range of secretarial procedures, software programmes
• RSA 3/NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration

Desirable

• Advanced qualification for MS Office Package
• ECDL
• Proficient minute taking

Experience

Essential

• Previous experience of working in a similar role
• Effective time management through organisation and diary management
• Experience of Microsoft Office Software
• Working to deadlines

Desirable

• Previous NHS experience

Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication skills both written and verbally
• Excellent organisational skills
• High level of confidentiality
• Ability to proritise workload
• IT Skills & Minutes taking skills
• Ability to work under pressure in a busy working environment

Desirable

• Broad knowledge of NHS and linked agencies
• Willingness to learn other software packages

Other

Essential

• An ability to maintain confidentiality and trust
• Ability to undertake relevant training
• Team Player