Senior Portfolio Assistant

Senior Portfolio Assistant

£38,301 per annum - Grade 6

Leeds / Hybrid Full time / Permanent - 37 hours per week

Closing date – 26 July at 23:55

Please note that the Combined Authority will consider requests for part-time working and/or job share. We currently have a vacancy for a Senior Portfolio Assistant to join our Strategic Portfolio Office (SPO).

The SPO oversees the portfolio of programmes and projects which the Combined Authority funds. The schemes are delivered directly by the Combined Authority or through one of our partner organisations (in the public and private sector). Whichever the delivery route, the SPO has responsibility for ensuring that schemes meet the strategic aims of the organisation and have a robust business case to give assurance that they will be developed and delivered within the agreed time, cost and quality framework, in accordance with the Combined Authority’s Assurance Framework.

As our Senior Portfolio Assistant, you will play a role which is an integral part of the Combined Authority’s assurance process for schemes seeking investment.

Our Offer

· Work your way – From flexible and agile working options, including a generous flexi-time scheme to help you balance your personal life and career.

· Time to recharge – Enjoy 28 days of annual leave (with increases based on length of service), plus all Bank Holidays.

· Free greener travel across West Yorkshire – Cover your commute sustainably with unlimited free bus and rail travel using the MCard (Zones 1–5).

· Secure your future – Benefit from a highly competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.

· Investing in you –Take advantage of supported professional development, regular training, and up to 3 paid volunteering days per year.

· Grow with us – Incremental salary progression for most roles and annual cost of living increases.

· Family first – We offer enhanced parental and bereavement leave, plus other family-friendly policies to support you when it matters most.

· Your wellbeing, our priority – Access 24/7 free confidential counselling services and the Headspace app for you and up to 5 family or friends.

· Modern workspace in a prime location – Work in bright, contemporary offices just a 2-minute walk from Leeds Train Station, fully equipped with the latest tech.

The Role

Reporting into the Assurance Portfolio Manager, your key responsibilities will include:

· Supporting the Strategic Portfolio Office (SPO) team to ensure the successful implementation of controls and processes to support the Assurance Framework and portfolio delivery across the Combined Authority and partners.

· Organisation and management of Scheme Appraisal and Project Approval Director meetings, including planning and co-ordinating schedules; producing agendas and papers; participating in meetings; recording actions, notes and outcomes and initiating the process for officer approvals.

· Taking a pro-active approach to participating in and delivering your directorate’s objectives, and being a visible and enthusiastic team member, encouraging partnership working across the organisation.

Please review the Role Profile on our website for more information about the responsibilities.

About You

You will have the following key skills, attributes, education, and experience:

· Practical experience of successfully performing in a similar role within a multi-disciplinary team, particularly of servicing and managing senior level meetings.

· Experienced in forming and developing effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to achieve the best outcomes for the organisation, including experience of negotiating with or influencing others.

· Experience of prioritisation of tasks and working to tight deadlines with an ability to exercise judgement to solve problems within the sphere of responsibility of the role, or to escalate as appropriate.

· Ability to communicate effectively and accurately to a range of audiences, using verbal and written means.

· Knowledge and experience of Microsoft Office applications, and particularly word, outlook, excel and SharePoint.

To Apply

If this sounds like your next role, please complete the application form and tell us within the supporting statement why you would be a great fit for our role and how your skills, knowledge and experience align with the requirements within the Role Profile. Please visit our Advice for Candidates webpage and review the guidance on

this page for support in completing your application form.

Further Information

The Combined Authority is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better outcomes. We welcome applications irrespective of people's age, disability, neuro-divergence, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, or other personal circumstances. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability and/or who are neuro divergent. To find out more about inclusivity at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority please visit our dedicated webpage.

Under the Disability Confident Scheme, applicants with a disability are guaranteed an interview, subject to the minimum criteria being met