Office Manager for Jim Fairlie MSP

Location: Perth, Perthshire South and Kinross-shire Constituency

Salary: £38,000 – £44,000 (depending on skills and experience)

Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week

You will lead a team supporting Jim Fairlie MSP in carrying out his duties as constituency MSP for Perthshire South and Kinross-shire. You will lead a team in a supportive and fast paced environment to provide an outstanding service for constituents.  You will be largely based in the Perth Constituency office.

You will be responsible for the smooth and effective running of his office. You will organise office processes, manage staff, ensure delivery of compassionate casework responses and maintain effective workflows to ensure that Mr Fairlie receives appropriate information promptly. Most importantly you will ensure that constituents’ needs are met. You will be a good delegator.

You will proactively produce high quality communications and articles which will also involve establishing and maintaining good relations with local and regional press and media. You will act as a sounding board for Mr Fairlie, providing advice and information on local issues and campaigns. You will be a problem solver, able to use your initiative and show good judgment.

Previous experience in a parliamentary or political office is highly desirable but not essential. Of greater importance is the ability to manage staff effectively, strategically plan, organise and deliver positive results in a busy and fast-paced working environment and understand the media.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they meet all of the requirements set out below to be considered for interview for this role. Candidates must be able to support Mr Fairlie in carrying out his role.

There is scope for the right person to develop this role and progress accordingly.

Person Specification

• Managing staff, allocate & monitor casework and review their performance through regular meetings.
  • Acting in a supervisory capacity for the team
  • Overseeing health and safety and staff wellbeing.
  • Analysing situations and provide information and assistance to the MSP
  • Managing office budget in line with Members Expenses Scheme.
  • Managing constituency accounts, premises and equipment.
• Ensuring visibility in the Constituency
  • Organising diary commitments through looking after all aspects of the diary
  • Be creative about diary commitments and communications in a way that enables Mr Fairlie to get as involved and visible in the constituency as possible
• Have oversight of overall media strategy.
  • Establishing media monitoring systems that detect news instantly as it breaks.
  • Implementing media and digital communication strategy.
• Identifying potential media opportunities and acting as media contact.
  • Identifying forthcoming events, in turn promoting Mr Fairlie’s work.
  • Developing creative new engagement methods for social media accounts.
  • Representing Mr Fairlie in dealing with media and providing statements where appropriate.
• Producing materials that effectively convey the MSP’s aims to the general public and media.
  • Keeping up to date with current media developments.
  • Building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders.
  • Corresponding with constituents and local campaign groups.
  • Ensuring high quality press briefings, speeches, presentations and written materials.
• Following all media outlets to capture relevant developments as they happen
  • Maintaining information systems to support communications
  • Maintain and grow social media presence
  • Drafting and posting social media content to update constituents on my constituency activities
  • Reviewing social media trends and briefing Mr Fairlie on issues of relevance to the constituency role

How to Apply:

Please email your CV and a supporting statement to: Jacqui.Jensen@Parliament.scot

If you have any questions about the role, please contact Jacqui.

Your supporting statement should outline how you meet the requirements detailed above for this role. Applications that do not include a supporting statement may not be considered. Be sure to include “Office Manager – Job Application” in the subject line of your email.

Closing Date: 8 July 2025 11:59pm.

Interview/Start Dates

Successful applicants will be invited to an interview on 24 July 2025 with a view to starting as soon as possible.