Job Vacancy: Senior Assistant to Senior Leadership Team

• Salary: £35k per annum.
• Hours: 35 hours per week 
• Location: Hybrid: 3 days in Kings Cross office and 2 days working from home.
• Contract duration: 2-year fixed-term.
• Annual leave entitlement: 28 days per year plus bank holidays.
• Pension (employees only): 8% employer contribution.
• Reports to: ARE Deputy Chief Executive and SLT 

• Manage the diaries for SLT where required, particularly the Chief Executive, optimising the efficient use of time and resources through effective planning and ‘gatekeeping’ in a relational style that represents the charity’s values.
• Ensure all necessary briefing papers and documents are compiled for the SLT/Chief Executive in good time in advance of meetings. 
• Manage a broad range of administrative tasks to facilitate the Chief Executive’s leadership and line management. This might involve arranging Chief Executive’s line management supervisions and appraisals for senior staff, special projects, document design, report preparation, correspondence, maintaining contact lists, travel arrangements, and managing expenses. 
• Prepare and present excellent PowerPoints and other Presentations for internal and external audiences, e.g., meetings with funders, employers, trustees and other key stakeholders. 
• Assist in organising high-level events on behalf of the Chief Executive and wider SLT. This may include parliamentary receptions or other significant gatherings.

Governance Support: 

• Co-ordinate and attend Trustees’ meetings, including arranging dates, preparing papers in advance, taking and sending out minutes. 
• Update the SharePoint extranet site for Trustees and Governance. 
• Administer meetings, Fortnightly Senior Leadership meetings and others as they arise.
• Oversee the log of ARE policies to ensure they are reviewed and updated as necessary.
• Support with various ad hoc projects to enable robust organisational governance.
• Provide administrative support to the wider senior leadership team 

Other: 

• Coordinate cross -cutting tasks such as preparation of the Annual Report and ARE Away Days.
• Provide HR administrative support to SLT when required. 
• Collaborate with other ARE colleagues on projects where appropriate and contribute to the development of ARE as an organisation overall.
• Help to identify and support your own continual professional development and cooperate with performance appraisals.
• Adhere to and implement policies, including Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Health and Safety. 
• Undertake any roles or tasks that are consistent with the level of this post or that fall within the scope of the role thereby ensuring that the overall business and operational priorities of ARE are delivered in a timely and effective manner.  

The successful candidate will have demonstrable experience of providing administrative and senior assistant support to senior staff members and have experience of providing governance support at senior level board meetings.

Experience: 

• Proven experience as a senior and/or executive assistant or other relevant administrative support experience  
• Extensive experience in providing high-level administrative support to SMEs, charities, or similar organisations. 
• Experience of producing accurate meeting minutes in a timely manner.

Qualifications: 

• Level 3 (e.g. A levels) or above

Skills 

• Highly organised with an ability to prioritise, work under pressure and deliver against set targets to agreed deadlines. 
• Self-sufficient with sound judgement and decision-making skills. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills. 
• Thoroughness, accuracy and attention to detail. 
• Proven IT skills including Microsoft 365  
• Ability to work across organisational boundaries and develop constructive relationships with key stakeholders.   

Knowledge: 

• Knowledge of systemic issues facing children and young people aged 10-30 from Black, Asian and mixed heritage backgrounds. 
• The role played by civil society Black and Asian led service providers in strengthening communities and supporting young people.  

Personal qualities: 

• The ability to manage work and time effectively, including the management of competing priorities. 
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.   
• Pro-active approach and skill in creative problem solving.   
• Flexible and adaptable with a can-do attitude. 

Confidentiality: 

All employees must respect at all times the confidentiality of the organisation both internally and externally.

Alongside our values, we expect everyone to display the behaviours needed to contribute to our vision and purpose. In return, we seek to offer an inclusive, rewarding, and collaborative environment with several benefits. 

Stay and grow 

• 28 days annual leave, plus 8 bank holidays per year  
• Mid and annual performance review with development plans 
• 8% Employer pension contribution scheme 
• Annual individual Continuing Professional Development budget 
• Monthly all-staff training and learning sessions 
• Manage your attendance, expenses and development via our easy-to-use online Bright HR system and app 

Keeping healthy 

• Employee assistance programme 
• Mental health and wellbeing support  
• Glasses eye test cost reimbursed  
• Working from home equipment budget to work safely 
• Office closure between Christmas and New Year 
• Discounts for services and products via Bright HR system 

Great environment 

• Hybrid working 50% of the working week 
• Team building sessions throughout the year 
• Opportunity to engage with Board of Trustees 

For more information, or an informal chat about the role, contact Indra Nauth.