Job Description

This new exciting role will support the Development Management function with our customer engagement and Business support functions. The job will encompass a wide range of administrative and business support tasks, including responding to a variety of enquiries from a diverse range of customers. As part of the role you will also be required to assist in drafting complaint responses for managers, in relation to both enquiries and complaints.



In addition you will support the service, in the raising and monitoring of purchase orders for a variety of goods and services required within the department.

Organisation

Cheshire East Council

Location

Crewe, Macclesfield

Job Category

Place

Grade

CEC NJC - Grade 5

Salary Min

26,403 per annum

Salary Max

28,142 per annum

Hours per week

37

Weeks per year

52.143

Employment Type

Permanent

Closing Date

31/08/2025

Ref No

E3181
Cheshire East is an amazing place to live and work. As one of the largest employers in the borough, we are able to offer you a wide range of challenging and rewarding career opportunities.



At Cheshire East Council we are working for a brighter future - together and our commitment to you is that our workplace culture will provide a shared purpose, a well-led organisation with valued people succeeding together as one team and one council to deliver the best service for our customers and communities.



If you want to be part of our award-winning council and contribute to our ongoing success, have the flexibility and drive to enable us to innovate, are committed to working as part of a team and striving to deliver exceptional service wherever you can, we would especially like to hear from you.



As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and want our workforce to reflect the diversity of our local communities so that we can all work for a brighter future - together.



Brighter Future



www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/employee-benefits.aspx

ABOUT THE ROLE

A fabulous opportunity has arisen for someone to join our team as a Business Support officer. You will be providing an effective and efficient customer focused role, playing an integral part within the Business Support operation in managing a wide range of communications including complaints, FIO requests and have the ability to confidently draft responses on behalf of Managers as necessary.



Enquiries are received from both internal, external and Elected Members, developers and agents. The role will require good skills to evaluate all communications, and to be able to convey responses incorporating elements of technical information in a format to meet relevant audience's needs.





The role will provide you with a great opportunity to utilise skills sets such as:


Ability to manage a wide range of customer complaints Assessment, evaluating and prioritisation of workloads; Excellent communication skills, confident to liaison with a wide range of both professional staff and managers. Demonstrating excellent time management skills; Developing strategies to maximise best use of systems and processes; Ability to work under pressure to meet peaks in demand;

Cheshire East is a large planning authority that offers a diverse range of experiences and opportunities. Accordingly, the role can be demanding, but also interesting, as no two weeks are ever the same. To find out more about our essential and desirable criteria for the role, please view the 'in this job you will need' section within the attached JDPS document.



ABOUT YOU



You will:


Educated to GCSE Grade 3 or above Have previous customer engagement experience with a variety of audiences Be able to evaluate the response requirements with appropriate replies that meet the audiences needs Enjoy customer engagement in person, telephone, or via email communications Have great problem-solving skills to meet the varying demands within the service Be an effective Team player with great communication skills at all levels Have a flexible approach to work Require a passion for improving services which improve on customers experiences overall Some previous planning knowledge would be advantageous, but training can be given to the right candidate

We're looking for people who are excited about the planning service, who can deliver excellent customer care and who want to help us shape the environment of Cheshire East. With the willingness and ability to travel throughout Cheshire East as and when required.



This job is offered on a full time (5 days per week) basis. If you would like to be part of our Business Support team and want to contribute to our ongoing success, have the flexibility and drive to enable us to innovate and are willing to work as part of a team then we would like to hear from you for our current vacancy.



WHAT WE GIVE IN RETURN


Enhanced annual leave: 34 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays) from day 1, increasing to 39 days after 5 years service. Enhanced public pension: a career average pension (contributions built at a rate of 1/49th of your yearly pensionable pay). Flexible Working: 37-hour standard full time week with flexi time and hybrid / remote working arrangements. Purchase of annual leave: The ability to purchase up to 10 days extra annual leave each year in addition to your normal annual leave entitlements. Cycle to work scheme: receive Income Tax and National Insurance savings of up to 25-39% off the retail price of a bike and safety equipment package (savings dependent on the value of your chosen package and your tax status). Employee Assistance programme: a completely free to use and confidential assistance service for all employees to help staff manage, reduce and overcome the impact of life issues which they may experience from time to time, both within work and their personal life. Virgin Media and O2 discounts: exclusive discounts on Virgin Media Broadband and O2 pay monthly plans. Discounted gym memberships: Access to corporate membership prices for Everybody Leisure which includes: + Gym, swim and group fitness at all 16 facilities
+ Off-peak racket sports
+ Athletics tracks
+ Sauna, steam, spa facilities

To find out more about our rewards and benefits package, please click here.



FURTHER INFORMATION



For further information please contact Rob Law/Lorraine Rossiter via email: Robert.Law@Cheshireeast.gov.uk / Lorraine.Rossiter@cheshireeast.gov.uk.



PLEASE NOTE: We review applications on a rolling basis which means we may close vacancies earlier if we receive sufficient applications. Therefore, early applications are advised



Please ensure you check the email account (including junk/spam boxes) from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application.



If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date then it is likely that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion, however please do not be discouraged from applying again.



For any technical enquiries please email sourcingteam@ecwip.co.uk



Please quote job reference number in all correspondence.