Job opportunity: Executive Assistant to the Senior Leadership Team

Action for Race Equality (ARE) is a national race equality charity. We have been running programmes and influencing policy since 1991. We work collaboratively to support, empower and inspire young people and strengthen civil society organisations that support them. We use our national voice to influence race equity in education, employment, enterprise and the criminal justice system.

We seeking an experienced professional currently in or previously serving as an Executive Assistant.

You should be capable of delivering comprehensive support while demonstrating exceptional organisational and communication skills, both written and verbal.

Additionally, the ideal candidate will excel at building relationships with key stakeholders, both internally and externally. You must effectively manage competing demands, possess a sharp eye for detail, and handle confidential information with the utmost discretion.

Salary: £35,000 per annum

Contract length: 2-year fixed term

Hours: 35 hours per week
Location: Hybrid – 3 days in King’s Cross office, 2 days remote

Reports to: Deputy Chief Executive.

Other benefits:

• Employer pension contribution 8%

• 28 days annual leave, plus 8 bank holidays per year
• Monthly all-staff training and learning sessions

• Oversee the diaries of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), particularly the Chief Executive, ensuring effective time and resource management through thoughtful planning and relational ‘gatekeeping’ that reflects the charity’s values.
• Compile all necessary briefing papers and documents for the SLT and Chief Executive well in advance of meetings to ensure preparedness.
• Handle a variety of administrative tasks to support the Chief Executive’s leadership and line management, which may include organising line management supervisions and appraisals for senior staff, managing special projects, designing documents, preparing reports, handling correspondence, maintaining contact lists, arranging travel, and overseeing expenses.
• Create and deliver high-quality PowerPoint presentations and other materials for both internal and external audiences, such as meetings with funders, employers, trustees, and other essential stakeholders.
• Assist in organising significant events on behalf of the Chief Executive and the broader SLT, which may include parliamentary receptions or other important gatherings.

Governance Support:

• Coordinate and attend Trustees’ meetings, including scheduling dates, preparing papers in advance, recording and distributing minutes, and following up on action items.
• Update the SharePoint extranet site for Trustees and Governance information.
• Administer relevant meetings, such as the monthly Programme Lead meetings and the bi-weekly Senior Leadership meetings.
• Maintain the log of ARE policies to ensure timely reviews and updates as necessary.
• Assist with various ad hoc projects to strengthen organisational governance.
• Provide administrative support to the wider senior leadership team.

Responsibilities may change in response to organisational needs, strategic priorities, or evolving program requirements.

The ideal candidate will possess demonstrable experience in providing administrative and executive assistant support to senior staff, along with a background in governance support during high-level board meetings.

Experience:

• Proven track record as an executive assistant or in a comparable administrative support role.
• Significant experience delivering high-level administrative assistance to SMEs, charities, or similar organizations.
• Ability to produce accurate meeting minutes promptly.

Qualifications:

• Level 3 qualifications (e.g., A Levels) or higher.

Skills:

• Highly organized with the capacity to prioritize effectively, work under pressure, and meet deadlines.
• Self-sufficient, exhibiting sound judgment and decision-making skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities, paired with strong interpersonal skills.
• Meticulous attention to detail, thoroughness, and accuracy.
• Proficient in IT skills, particularly MS Office 365 (including Teams, Word, Excel).
• Capable of collaborating across organizational boundaries and fostering constructive relationships with key stakeholders.

Knowledge:

• Awareness of systemic issues affecting children and young people aged 10-30 from Black, Asian, and mixed heritage backgrounds.
• Understanding the role of civil society, particularly Black and Asian-led service providers, in enhancing communities and supporting youth.

Personal Qualities:

• Effective time and workload management skills, including the ability to handle competing priorities.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team.
• Proactive and skilled in creative problem-solving.
• Adaptable and flexible, maintaining a positive attitude.

Confidentiality:

All employees are expected to uphold the confidentiality of the organisation at all times, both internally and externally.