Personal Assistant Jobs in Salford M50 | Immediate Start & Competitive Pay
Catering Jobs is actively recruiting for a highly organised and proactive Personal Assistant to support senior management in Salford M50. This is an immediate temporary-to-permanent opportunity offering flexible shifts, a competitive hourly rate, and the potential for a long-term career with a prestigious local employer. If you excel in fast-paced environments and provide exceptional administrative support, we want to hear from you today.
Personal Assistant Job Description
We are seeking a dedicated and meticulous Personal Assistant to provide comprehensive support to a busy executive team based in the vibrant Salford M50 business district. This role is pivotal in ensuring smooth daily operations, requiring a candidate who is not only an expert in diary management and correspondence but also a proactive problem-solver. The successful applicant will be the central point of contact, managing communications, coordinating schedules
A Day in the Life of a Salford M50 Personal Assistant
To truly understand the scope of this role, let's walk through a typical day. Your morning begins with a review of your executive's schedule, not just confirming meetings but proactively anticipating needs: preparing briefing documents for a 10 AM stakeholder call, ensuring travel logistics for an off-site lunch are seamless, and blocking out focused work time for them in the afternoon.
You'll triage a high-volume inbox, flagging urgent correspondence, drafting responses for approval, and filtering out non-essential communications. A key part of your day involves liaising with other departments in the Salford Quays office—coordinating with marketing on a presentation deck, checking in with finance on budget approvals, and ensuring facilities have prepared the boardroom for the afternoon's workshop.
The role is dynamic; no two days are identical. One day you might be meticulously planning a multi-city European business trip, the next you could be tasked with researching potential venues for a company-wide event in Manchester. Your ability to pivot, reprioritise, and maintain a calm, professional demeanour is what will define your success.
Core Daily Responsibilities
- Complex diary, email, and travel management for 1-2 executives.
- Acting as a gatekeeper and first point of contact for internal and external stakeholders.
- Preparation of reports, presentations, and meeting agendas/minutes.
- Handling confidential information and documents with utmost discretion.
- Project coordination and ad-hoc administrative support for the wider team.
Essential Skills & Qualifications for Success
Beyond the standard administrative competencies, our client in Salford M50 seeks a candidate with a specific blend of hard and soft skills that thrive in a corporate support role. Here is a detailed breakdown of what is required and what will make you stand out.
Technical & Hard Skills
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1Advanced Microsoft 365 Suite: Expert-level proficiency in Outlook (including complex calendar sharing and rules), PowerPoint (creating polished, branded presentations), and Excel (managing data, creating trackers, and using basic formulas like VLOOKUP). Experience with SharePoint or OneDrive for collaborative document management is a plus.
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2Communication Mastery: Impeccable written English for drafting emails, reports, and minutes. Exceptional verbal communication for handling sensitive calls, liaising with high-level contacts, and representing your executive's office professionally.
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3Logistics & Planning: Demonstrated experience in arranging complex national and international travel, considering visa requirements, time zones, and executive preferences. Proven ability to plan and execute meetings, conferences, and events from conception to completion.
Personal & Soft Skills
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AProactive Anticipation: The difference between a good PA and a great one is the ability to think two steps ahead. This means anticipating bottlenecks, preparing information before it's requested, and identifying potential problems in schedules before they arise.
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BDiscretion & Integrity: You will be privy to highly confidential business and personal information. Absolute trustworthiness and the judgement to handle sensitive situations discreetly are non-negotiable traits for this position.
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CResilience & Adaptability: Priorities can change in an instant. The ideal candidate remains calm under pressure, effectively reprioritises a demanding workload, and maintains a positive, solutions-focused attitude in a fast-paced environment.
Case Study: Streamlining Executive Workflow
How a previous temporary PA placed by Catering Jobs made a lasting impact.
The Challenge: A senior director at a Salford Quays media company was spending over 15 hours a week on low-value administrative tasks—managing a chaotic inbox, manually coordinating diaries with three other department heads, and booking travel. This was diverting focus from strategic leadership.
The Action: The PA we placed took a systematic approach. Within the first week, they implemented a new colour-coded calendar system for different meeting types, set up intelligent inbox rules and folders, and created a shared travel booking document for the leadership team to streamline requests.
The Result: Within a month, the director reclaimed an average of 12 hours per week. The efficiency gained allowed the leadership team to meet more regularly with less friction. The PA's initiative and skill were so valued that they were offered a permanent contract after 8 weeks and have since been promoted to Team Coordinator.
"The PA provided by Catering Jobs didn't just manage my diary; they transformed how our small leadership team operates. Their proactive approach was a game-changer."
— Sarah J., Director, Media Company, Salford M50
Career Path & Long-Term Potential
This temporary-to-permanent role is more than just a job; it's a career gateway. Working as a PA within a prestigious Salford M50 company provides unparalleled exposure to high-level business operations, strategic decision-making, and professional networking.
| Timeframe | Role Evolution | Skills Developed | Potential Pathways |
|---|---|---|---|
| Months 1-3 Temporary Period |
Mastering core administrative support, learning company processes, building trust with your executive and team. | Company-specific software, internal stakeholder mapping, understanding business priorities. | Securing the permanent offer, taking on responsibility for small projects. |
| Months 6-18 Permanent PA |
Moving from reactive to fully proactive support. Managing budgets, overseeing small events, potentially mentoring junior admin staff. | Budget management, basic project management, advanced problem-solving, delegation. | Executive Assistant, Team Coordinator, Office Manager, Project Support Officer. |
| Years 2+ Strategic Partner |
Acting as a true extension of your executive, representing them in meetings, involved in strategic planning, managing communications. | Strategic communication, stakeholder management, advanced business acumen. | Operations Manager, Chief of Staff, moving into a dedicated department (e.g., HR, Marketing) using acquired business knowledge. |
Our client has a strong track record of investing in talent. Many of their current department managers began their journey in administrative support roles, leveraging their insider knowledge of the business to progress. This role offers a unique platform to build a long-term career within a thriving Manchester-region organisation.
Why Choose a PA Role in Salford M50?
Prestigious Employers
Salford Quays, part of the M50 postcode, is a major business hub housing the headquarters of the BBC, ITV, and countless innovative tech, legal, and media firms. This role places you at the heart of this dynamic professional community.
Unrivalled Flexibility & Work-Life Balance
We understand the need for balance. This role offers flexible shift patterns, including options for hybrid working after an initial settling-in period. Excellent public transport links via tram and bus make commuting straightforward.
Support from Catering Jobs
You're not just applying for a job; you're gaining a recruitment partner. We provide full interview preparation, continuous support during your assignment, and guidance on making the transition to a permanent position.
The Application & Interview Process
We've designed our process to be transparent and efficient, respecting your time while ensuring we find the best match for our client. Here’s what you can expect:
Submit Your CV & Initial Screening
Click the apply button and upload your CV. Our specialist PA recruiter will review your application within 24 hours on weekdays. If your experience aligns, we will call you for a brief, friendly 10-minute chat to discuss your career goals, availability, and the role in more detail.
Tip: Tailor your CV! Highlight specific achievements like"reduced executive's time spent on email by 20% through a new filing system" rather than just listing duties.
In-Depth Interview with Catering Jobs
This is a more comprehensive video or in-person interview at our offices. We'll delve into your skills using competency-based questions (e.g.,"Tell me about a time you had to manage a last-minute change to an executive's travel plans."). We'll also conduct a short Microsoft Office skills assessment to verify your proficiency. This stage is as much for you to ask us questions about the company culture and role expectations.
Client Interview & Trial
Successful candidates will be presented to our client. You will then have a formal interview with the hiring manager and potentially the executive you'll support. For some roles, this may include a short, paid trial shift or in-tray exercise to assess your real-time organisational and prioritisation skills in a simulated environment.
Tip: Prepare thoughtful questions about the executive's working style, the team structure, and what success looks like in the first 90 days.
Offer & Onboarding
Upon a successful interview, an offer will be made, typically within 48 hours. We will guide you through all compliance and onboarding paperwork. Our support continues as you start the role, with check-ins at 24 hours, 1 week, and 1 month to ensure a smooth transition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this role strictly 9-5, or is there flexibility?
The core hours are typically between 8:30 AM and 5:30 PM, but there is a degree of flexibility. Our client understands the need for work-life balance and is open to discussing patterns such as slightly earlier starts/finishes. Some hybrid working is also a possibility after an initial period.
What is the"temp-to-perm" potential?
The initial placement is on a temporary basis, typically through Catering Jobs for a period of 12 weeks. This acts as a mutual trial period. If both you and the client are happy with the arrangement—which is the outcome in the vast majority of cases—a permanent contract will be offered directly with the company. The transition is seamless.
I have 18 months of PA experience. Is that sufficient, or are you looking for someone more senior?
18 months of solid PA or senior administrative experience is excellent. We are looking for capability and attitude over a specific number of years. Your proficiency with core systems, your proactive mindset, and your professional communication are more important. The pay range (£13-£16 p/h) reflects this, with those offering more experience and a broader skill set commanding the higher end.
What are the opportunities for training and development?
Once made permanent, our client has a clear commitment to professional development. This can include funded training in advanced Microsoft Suite certifications, project management methodologies (like PRINCE2 or Agile), or budget management courses. Your growth is seen as an investment in the efficiency of the executive office.
Ready to Elevate Your Career as a Personal Assistant?
If you are an organised, proactive professional seeking a role where your skills are valued and your career can grow, this is the opportunity for you. Join a dynamic team in one of the North West's most exciting business districts.
Apply Now for Immediate Consideration →Need to speak to us first? Call our recruitment team on 0161 123 4567.
