PA | West end | Chartered Surveyors and Property Consultants

I am recruiting for a prestigious national firm of chartered surveyors and property consultants based in the West End. They have one of the highest partner-client ratios in their sector. Over 40 percent of their clients are on the FTSE100 – they hold some of the largest property portfolios in the country.

They are now recruiting for a highly organised and efficient PA to primarily support four Partners within the Development side of the Planning and Development department, and assist those that work closely with them. The idea candidate will be available immediately.

Main responsibilities:

• Full range of Secretarial/PA duties for four main Partners and other fee-earners in the Development team as well as providing support across the whole P&D team working closely with the support group.  A degree of flexibility in assisting one another where possible is essential.   
• Extensive diary management; booking meetings both internally and with clients, and occasionally off site; arranging meeting rooms; and ordering refreshments as and when required.   
• Updating and managing schedules and running reports as directed by Partners. 
• Answering telephone calls for and on behalf of partners and fee-earners, taking messages and passing to alternative team members as appropriate.  Dealing with internal and external queries wherever possible.
• Copy typing up, and formatting, of reports.
• Assisting the Partners by coordinating and recording business development activity within the department.
• Completing timesheets for the department on a monthly basis, entering these into the system.
• Creating invoices and generating invoice numbers and billing guides from the firm’s computerised invoicing system and keeping a record of invoices sent, chasing clients where necessary.
• General office duties to ensure the smooth running of the department including filing, copying, binding, scanning and correspondence as and when necessary.
• Provide cover for the other support staff over holiday periods.

Key attributes and qualifications:

• Experience of the Property industry is preferred and having worked in a similar role in a medium sized organisation is essential.    
• Experience of proactively managing diaries of senior fee-earners.   
• Fast and accurate typing (60wpm+), combined with an advanced knowledge of Word, including tables. A sound knowledge of Excel, including utilising basic formulae.    
• Able to demonstrate excellent organisational skills, and prioritising workload is essential. Dealing with work delegated from several team members at once.  
• Capable of getting things done efficiently and working to tight deadlines, using initiative and common sense.    
• Flexible, and able to adapt to change quickly. Self-motivated with a real desire to aid with smooth running of the office and deliver excellent customer service.  
• Good written/communication skills in dealing with clients and prospective clients, an ability to build a rapport with all contacts.   
• Excellent time keeping, and a willingness to work extra hours as and when necessary. Well-presented.  
• Capable of working in a team and willing to help out wherever necessary.  
• A professional manner in order to represent the P&D department internally and externally, and to build relationships with client contacts and internal staff.

Salary and benefits:

• Performance related staff profit share scheme
• 26 days’ holiday, plus Bank Holidays and days at Christmas and New Year.  
• Pension scheme membership (after initial probationary period)
• Life/Accident insurance
• Private Medical Cover
• Fitness Allowance  
• Interest Free Season Ticket Loan
• Interest Free Rental Deposit Loan 
• Employee assistance programme
• Edenred childcare vouchers
• Alongside a competitive compensation and benefits package my client also offers all of their staff the ongoing opportunities to learn and develop, through in-house CPD sessions, further education support as well as internal and external training programmes. My client encourages pro-bono work and volunteering as well as regular social and sporting activities to engage with all your colleagues.  Your progression will be supported and guided by managers and mentors using a transparent framework so you can clearly see what you need to do to get to where you want to be.