Business Support Partner

Business Support Partner

Location: Glasgow, United Kingdom

Thales people architect solutions that are relied upon to deliver operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defensive systems for land, sea, and air. From early warning, to threat neutralisation, our platforms cover all levels from very short-range systems, to extended protection across the entire battle-space including Airspace Mobility Solutions, Vehicles and Tactical Systems and Missile Defence, Optronics, and Radar.

Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK, we research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better, and keep us safer. We innovate across the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space. Your health and well-being matter to us and that's why we offer you the flexibility to do what's important to you; whether that's part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

Primary Purpose of the Role

Business Support Partners (BSP) provide highly proactive business support and are able to continually demonstrate effective partnering with members of the Leadership Team first line and peers across Thales UK. BSPs need extensive knowledge of the organisation or can demonstrate an ability to grasp the business values and behaviours quickly. Networking with key personnel (internal and external) and understand their Director's and organisation's aims and objectives. BSPs will be expected to work autonomously or as part of a team, making sound calculated decisions on behalf of their Directors. In addition to business acumen, it is expected BSPs act with discretion and confidentially at all times. BSPs will provide and manage organisational support to other functions, programmes and sites. BSPs will deputise in the absence of the BSM when needed.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

Supporting members of the Leadership team

The BSP will act as their Director's first point of contact with internal and external stakeholders.

Key tasks include:

• Full autonomy of the Director's diary to maximise the time focusing on the business priorities and to eliminate the waste.
• Co-ordination of the organisation and preparation of meetings across multiple time zones, ensuring all materials are provided. In some cases taking ownership of the meeting; producing agendas, reports, attending and participating in meetings and taking minutes or actions.
• Managing complex travel itineraries and visas where necessary, ensuring that best route and value is obtained and monitoring budgets where required. Ensuring that all documentation and the relevant security processes are completed prior to travel
• High level email management for self and Director.

Examples of Business support required across functions and programmes

• Marketing and events – organise, support and co-ordinate all aspects of internal and external events. Proficient in use of GCRM events management system for customer attendees.
• Communications – writing and proof-reading communications on behalf of the Director, coordinating site communications plans and work closely with internal and external communications managers. Create and publish documents on the intranet, such as organisation charts
• Supporting UK Lead and site initiatives – E.g. Deputy Travel Manager role, actively participating at Thales UK meetings and report updates. Managing two-way communication with the Business Support Team and wider Community, to ensure that travel processes, procedures and costs are delivered successfully.
• Undertake ad hoc projects as directed by the BSM or Leadership team v Provide research where required, compiling reports, data and presentations to summarise findings
• Be competent in undertaking ad hoc requisitions and other system procedures identified
• Create, manage and champion policies and processes
• Provide cover for other Business Support Partners during absence v Any other tasks as directed by the BSM

Skills/Experience

• Demonstrates high level of business awareness, excellent communication skills(verbal and written) and ability to interact effectively, courteously and professionally both within internal and external customer communities
• Able to prioritise workload and complete work within agreed timescales to outstanding quality requiring minimal rework/no rework.
• Must be able to work independently as the Director will often be out of the office. Self-motivated and enthusiastic.
• A strong personality and credibility to act on behalf of the Directors / managers authority as required
• Have outstanding organisation skills. Ability to meet stretch deadlines and demands of the team. To be proactive in finding solutions to problems.
• Ability to 'think on feet' and make last minute decisions working within pressurised situations v People management and leadership skills
• Ability to build relationships within the Business Support Community and actively promotes the value and positive perception of the team.
• Able to deal with people at all levels of the organisation but predominately experience in dealing with senior business leaders and Directors.
• Experience in virtual and digital technology v Handles confidential and sensitive information in a discrete and controlled manner.
• Advanced skills in MS office software (Outlook, Word, Excel, Visio & PowerPoint)
• Excellent spoken and written English.
• Effective personal organisation and an ability to remain composed and focused under pressure

What We Can Offer

We're committed to giving you opportunities to be your best. We believe in embracing the passion and potential of our people, and to achieve this we offer market leading training, development and experiences, along with the opportunity to be mentored and coached by some of the smartest minds in the industry. We hire from within as our first priority, so you'll have a myriad of opportunities within our diverse, global organisation.

Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales.