Founded in 1947 and therefore now in its 75th year, Chelsom is a 3rd generation family business based in Blackpool. Chelsom is a market-leading designer, manufacturer, and supplier of decorative lighting to the global hospitality, cruise ship and residential sectors. With around 65 employees, the company operates from large offices, a production facility and over 100,000 sq. feet of warehousing space. Chelsom has an extensive range of standard lighting products, all of which are designed in-house by the design team led by Will Chelsom (Managing Director) and Robert Chelsom (Chairman). The cutting-edge designs are presented in a 300-page high quality catalogue, as well as within a world class website and in 2021 the company was awarded a Red Dot Award for product design. Supported by various in-house project management and operational functions, the Chelsom sales team services clients in the UK and around the world. Outside of the UK, Chelsom mainly focuses on core export markets of the USA, Mainland Europe and Middle East and their place as a leading exporter has not gone unrecognised as they have recently been rewarded with two Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in the International Trade category, firstly in 2017 and again in 2020 on the back of continued overseas growth.
An opportunity has arisen to support the very top executives in this exciting and fast-growing British family business. The purpose of the role is to support the Chairman and the Managing Director in all aspects of company and personal business and to provide general support to the Executive Assistant and Executive Team’s Office. Ad hoc support to various key departments will also be required as and when necessary.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
· Strong organisational and time management abilities.
· High attention to detail and accuracy.
· Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.
· Discretion and confidentiality.
· Professionalism and diplomacy.
· Strong interpersonal skills.
· Proficient in Microsoft 365 Office suite including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
· Full UK Driving Licence

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

· 5 years of proven experience as a PA or in a similar senior administrative role (required).
· Experience supporting board-level executives (preferred).
· Knowledge of project management tools or CRM systems (optional but beneficial).

PURPOSE:

To provide high-level administrative support to the Chairman and the Managing Director in all aspects of company and personal business and to provide general support to the Directors’ Office.

DUTIES & TASKS:

· To screen incoming telephone calls, correspondence and email. Email management includes:
- Managing multiple Outlook mailboxes.
- Undertaking triage to eliminate Junk and to prioritise those emails requiring response and / or action.
- Maintaining email files and archives.
· To manage the diaries of the Chairman and Managing Director and co-ordinate use of the Boardroom.
· To proactively respond to and action calls, emails and correspondence on of behalf of the Chairman and Managing Director.
· To act as first point of contact for the Executive Team for internal and external stakeholders.
· To maintain electronic and hard copy files as required.
· To handle and keep secure confidential and sensitive information.
· To undertake copy typing and dictation.
· To coordinate meetings as required, including for the Board of Directors, Senior Management, quarterly Sales Meetings and meetings with Suppliers and Customers and support the development of agenda, arrange catering and accommodation and take minutes.
· Support the Managing Director and play an active role in offering administrative support in all aspects of Chelsom’s Environmental and Sustainability Strategy.
· Make national and international travel arrangements and prepare itineraries and relevant visa applications.
· Exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality in carrying out all responsibilities.
· To meet and greet visitors; and arrange lunches and refreshments.
· To create and maintain spreadsheets and visual presentations.
· To communicate and liaise with colleagues at all levels including Directors, Sales Office, Sales Consultants, Production / Factory, Purchasing, Finance and Marketing, PR and Communications.
· To liaise with UK and foreign trading partners / customers / suppliers / trade and professional bodies by phone, letter and email.
· To provide general administrative support to other Directors of the company including diary management, arrangement of meetings and travel, and occasional monitoring of inboxes.
· To provide administrative support to the Executive Assistant including for various aspects of new product development.
· To support the Managing Director, Chairman and Executive Assistant with new product design and development including to
- Support design strategy and product development meetings
- Support work with partner design, photography and website agencies
- Support organisation of domestic and international exhibitions.
· Any other reasonable tasks as required to meet the Company’s needs.