5 Customer service assistant and receptionist jobs

We’re looking for highly organised, proactive and resilient Executive Assistant & Office Manager to provide exceptional support to our CEO and Senior Management Team and help ensure the smooth running of our Reception and Administrative Office.

This is a varied and pivotal role at the heart of a small, retirement community on a beautiful 13-acre site in South-East London (Kent/Surrey border).  You will manage the CEO’s diary and inbox, prepare papers and correspondence, support the Senior Management Team, coordinate key organisational projects, and personally deliver day-to-day office administration, including covering reception.

This role would suit an individual who thrives in a varied environment, is confident managing multiple priorities, and is willing to take a practical, hands-on approach - no two days are the same. You will anticipate needs, help drive priorities forward, and play a key role in enabling the CEO, Senior Management Team and central officer to operate effectively.

The role

• Provide proactive executive support to the CEO, including diary and inbox management, briefing preparation, correspondence and research.
• Coordinate and service Senior Management Team meetings, ensuring agendas, papers, notes and actions are well managed.
• Project manage key organisational initiatives, including policy reviews, compliance-related projects and organisational documents.
• Oversee the efficient running of the office, including reception, office systems, supplies, meeting rooms and administrative procedures.
• Support resident services administration.
• Maintain accurate records, support reporting and act as a confident user of office and CRM systems.

About you

You will have a track record of supporting senior leaders, excellent organisational skills and the confidence to manage competing priorities with discretion and sound judgement. You will be a clear communicator with a high standard of written English and strong Microsoft 365 skills.

It is important that you enjoy working in a hands-on role in a varied customer facing environment.

Further details can be found in the job description and person specification

Kickstart your career in administration and customer service.

Anna Freud is seeking a Training, Conferences and Events Assistant to join our world-leading mental health charity for children, young people and their families. Our mission is to close the gap in wellbeing and mental health by advancing, translating, delivering, and sharing the best science and practice with everyone who impacts the lives of children, young people and their families. More information about Anna Freud is available on our website.

Our EDI commitment

We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and being an equal opportunities employer, whereby equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are core to our recruitment practices. All candidates who meet the job criteria will be considered for employment, regardless of ethnic origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, socioeconomic background, caring responsibilities and care experience.

We ask candidates to share their diversity dimensions with us to help us identify, tackle and prevent bias across the employee lifecycle. We believe a diverse workforce enhances our ability to support mental health and wellbeing, allowing us to better meet the needs of the children, young people and families we serve.

As a Disability Confident employer, disabled candidates meeting our criteria are guaranteed an interview. Applications are submitted anonymously and assessed using a fair evaluation process based on the criteria set out in our job profiles.

What we offer

We offer a range of staff benefits, including wellbeing offers such as free counselling through our Employee Assistance Programme. We are proud to have staff-led Diversity Networks offering unique opportunities for learning, connection and impact.

What you’ll do

If you enjoy a mix of customer-facing and administrative work, this opportunity would be ideal for you. You will act as the first point of contact for training, conference and event enquiries while supporting the day-to-day coordination and delivery of professional learning programmes. You will work as part of a large team of 25+ colleagues in the Training team, providing essential administration, customer service and operational support to ensure training events run smoothly from planning and booking through to delivery and evaluation. You will also have reception duties once per week.

What you’ll bring

Essential skills and experience:

• Experience working in a busy office, customer service or administrative environment.
• Effective communication skills and confidence speaking with customers, colleagues and stakeholders.
• Good IT skills, including using Microsoft Office and maintaining records or databases accurately.
• Well organised, able to manage multiple tasks and prioritise work effectively.
• A proactive, customer-focused approach with great attention to detail.

Key details

Hours: part-time (28 hours per week), preferably including Thursday mornings to attend team meetings.

Salary: £27,294 per annum FTE, plus 6% contributory pension scheme.

Location: hybrid working (a mixture of onsite and home/remote working). Staff are working onsite for at least 20% of their working hours at our London office (4-8 Rodney Street, London N1 9JH).

Contract type: fixed-term until March 2027.

Next steps

Closing date for applications: midday (12pm), Friday 18 September 2026. Please note this advert will close early once we receive 150 applications. We encourage you to apply promptly and to keep an eye on our future vacancies for more opportunities.

Notification of interview: shortlisted applicants will be notified no later than Friday 25 September 2026. During shortlisting, applicants are anonymously assessed using the criteria visible in the Job Profile. Please note: due to the high volume of applications received, we will not be able to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants.

Interviews: will be held remotely on w/c 5 October 2026.

How to apply: click on the 'apply now’ button to apply online. We are unable to accept CVs and kindly request no contact from agencies.

Questions?

Please email Recruitment with any job enquiries, or if you require assistance or experience difficulties when applying. Please note that successful candidate(s) will be asked to evidence their Right to Work in the UK post-job offer – we do not hold a sponsor license therefore we are unable to provide Visa sponsorship.

Students’ Union UCL is an organisation that exists to make more happen. We are the representative body for University College London’s (UCL) students, one of the most diverse student communities in the world.  Our vision is to provide an outstanding experience for all UCL students and to be one of the best students’ unions in the UK and the world.  We aim to build a vibrant and empowered student community with real influence in UCL and beyond, that enables students to enjoy their time at university; pursue their interests and passions; see the world in new ways; and develop the skills and experience to change the world for the better.

We are a registered charity employing over 150 career staff and 300 student staff, delivering a wide range of services and representative functions for UCL students. We have the widest portfolio of services of any student organisation in the country, managing UCL’s extracurricular programmes for sport, music, drama, dance, media, volunteering, academic societies and intercultural engagement; providing a wide range of fantastic social spaces; leading on student democracy and representation across UCL; and offering excellent student support services.

It's an exciting time to join our growing organisation as we lead the delivery of UCL’s groundbreaking Student Life Strategy. This is enabling us to build more programmes to improve students’ mental and physical wellbeing, promote genuine equity for all, build students’ skills and confidence, develop their international connections and intercultural skills, and make a real contribution to our local community.

We provide excellent benefits including defined benefit pension scheme and generous holiday entitlement. We are proud of high levels of staff engagement and pride ourselves on being a great place to work. We will consider applications to work on a flexible and job share basis wherever possible. 

The Deputy Fitness Centre Manager is a role that is largely based on site (80:20 split) and the post holder will work a minimum of 14 hours per week at front of house, leading delivery. Shift patterns and start times will be dependent on the needs of the business. This will mean occasions when late, early and weekend work will be required. Shift location will vary between our sites. Provided staffing needs are met, the role holder will be able to work from home one day per week. They will utilise customer feedback and insight on our target market, to optimise our service.

The Deputy Fitness Centre Manager is responsible for maximising the number of students using TeamUCL Gyms and ensuring all members have an excellent user experience. They have oversight for the holistic member journey including promotion, joining, induction and retention. Ensuring both the digital and in-person experience exceeds member expectations. They will have autonomy to be agile and responsive to member needs, adapting the customer journey to the changing needs.

AKF(UK) JOB DESCRIPTION

1. JOB TITLE

Facilities and Operations Manager

2. REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

JOB TITLE

FOR

2.1 REPORTS DIRECTLY TO

Head of Kings Cross Properties

Strategic direction, measuring performance against targets, regular reviews, role modelling, support, guidance, development and performance management.

2.2 REPORTS INDIRECTLY TO

AKF(UK) Property Committee

Reporting on financial results, compliance, company law, charities legislation.

2.3 DIRECT REPORTS

Facilities and Maintenance Assistant Manager

Facilities and Maintenance Officer x 3

Strategic & Operational direction, measuring performance against targets, regular reviews, role modelling, support, guidance, development and performance management.

3. JOB PURPOSE

In the heart of London’s Knowledge Quarter, the Aga Khan Centre (AKC) is a place for education, knowledge, cultural exchange and insight into Muslim Civilisations and is home to three organisations founded by His Highness the Aga Khan, The Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS), the Aga Khan University Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations (AKU-ISMC) and the Aga Khan Foundation United Kingdom (AKF(UK)).

This role is responsible for managing the effective functioning of the Aga Khan Centre to provide safe, efficient, secure, legally compliant and environmentally friendly spaces for residents, employees, students and visitors.

1. Leading a small team, the Facilities and Operations Manager will be responsible for providing a seamless support service to manage and deliver high quality proactive and reactive maintenance to a standard which is in accordance with the nature of the Aga Khan Centre and provides value for money. The role covers all aspects of repairs & maintenance including plumbing, air conditioning, electrics, building fabric, health & safety and emergency support and requires the postholder to be hands on, supporting the maintenance team with technical support, knowledge & coordination as well as executing PPM plans, managing contractors and overseeing and inspecting works.

The Facilities and Operations Manager will be a natural people person who leads with warmth, fairness and consistency, builds strong relationships across the team and the wider building, and is confident in managing day-to-day people situations with empathy, sound judgment and a balanced approach.

This is an office-based role, Monday to Friday, 8 hours per day (including a 1-hour unpaid break), to be worked flexibly within the hours of 8am and 6pm. Whilst weekend work is rare, there may be occasional requirements to attend site outside of normal working hours. The postholder will also be required to be on call for out of hours emergencies.

4.  KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

4.1 AKC Building Operations

· Oversee and manage the teams responsible for the reception, security and cleaning.

· To prepare and keep up to date the Facilities Management (FM) Plan for AKC and the approach taken for each ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ FM service, including planned preventative maintenance and lifecycle replacements, ensuring that a suitable, safe, high-quality operating environment is provided.

· To act as a point of contact for technical support in order to reduce supplier callouts and ensure the correct supplier is allocated to resolve the problem, after issues have been looked at in-house first.

· To manage, plan and monitor the day-to-day repairs and maintenance activities of the building management team, ensuring works are completed on time, to the highest quality and in line with the approved FM plan.

· To coordinate and manage activities of suppliers working in and around AKC including checking and approving completed work, ensuring it is on budget, within agreed timescales and to the quality required.

· To act on defects highlighted in suppliers’ reports and ensure resolution following up on any unresolved issues that could affect plant or equipment performance and safety.

· To ensure the AKC maintenance reporting system is updated with work carried out and outstanding tasks.

· To ensure maintenance supplies, spares and stock levels are monitored and supplies are always available.

· To receive, review, store and respond to suppliers’ reports, i.e. lifts, eye bolts, water sampling, lighting protection, etc. and supply a level of technical advice to ensure compliance with the relevant legislation.

· To maintain and review equipment asset registers and update accordingly.

· Responsible for the Health and Safety policy for AKC and liaising with outsourced consultants to ensure that AKC is compliant and required checks are carried out.

· To maintain all maintenance and H&S documents, registers and systems at all times and act as knowledge-holder on behalf of AKF(UK) for Operation Manuals, as-built drawings, maintenance records, licences and operating certificates related to AKC.

· Working in conjunction with the AKC IT team and external providers be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the core building services systems including for FM, Room Booking and Security.

· To adhere to the AKC environmental policy promoting and driving energy & water saving initiatives as well as recycling initiatives at all times.

· Plan and implement minor projects to optimize space utilisation within AKC. Participate as a key stakeholder in major projects.

· Support the relationships with the tenants of the AKC retail units.

· Ensure that the gardens embedded within the AKC, and the surrounding grounds and gardens are properly cared for and landscaped.

· Liaise with the Estate Landlord and their agents regarding estate management, central services, infrastructure and security issues and maintenance of the public realm around AKC

· Liaise with other building managers on the KX Estate and maintain good neighbourly relations.

· Respond to emergency situations or other urgent issues involving AKC.

4.2 AKC Building Administration

· To prepare an annual operational plan and budget for the AKC building management team.

· To provide commentary and analysis for the monthly building management finance report and work with the Property Finance Manager to ensure that there is an up to date forecast at all times.

· To lead any supplier procurement processes related to building management.

· Monitor and approve all building management supplier invoices and staff expenses for payment in line with approved budgets. Seek additional approvals for unbudgeted or excess expenditure.

· To ensure that safeguarding processes are embedded into all building management operations, all building management supplier contracts and the building management policies and processes.

· To routinely review standards of service and ensure best practices are being followed and to benchmark the costs of AKC building management against equivalent buildings to assess and demonstrate value for money.

· Manage and maintain the SLA standards, KPIs and targets for the AKC building management team.

· To own the AKC building management risk register ensuring that it is up to date at all times.

· To attend the AKF(UK) Property Committee meetings

· Work flexibly in terms of working hours to support and accommodate events and incidents outside of regular working hours.

· To ensure all tasks from the Security Audit are completed promptly, while maintaining up to date policies including the Critical Incident Plan and Office Security Plan

4.3 AKC Events

· To ensure that the building management team support the events management team with all large and complex events, including organising facilities for car parking, traffic control, security, first aid, and hospitality.

· To ensure that the building management team supports the dismantling and removal of the event materials and clearing the venue efficiently.

4.4 People Management

· Help the AKF(UK) CEO and Senior Management Team promote an organisational culture of teamwork and service, high-quality, transparency and accountability, innovation, and inclusiveness.

· Supervise, coach and mentor building management staff, building a highly skilled and motivated team demonstrating best practice in the sector and exemplifying AKF (UK) values and behaviours.

· Oversee and set annual performance objectives and evaluate performance in accordance with the AKF (UK)’s staff performance management procedures.

· Identify staff with potential for advancement and, as part of succession planning, contribute to their development.

· Build a culture throughout the building management team of continuous improvement, in which staff are cognizant of and influence the broader learning agenda alongside delivery objectives.

Carry out any other duties as assigned by the Head of Kings Cross Properties.

5. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, ATTRIBUTES & BEHAVIOURS

5.1 Qualifications

· A degree in Facilities Management or similar qualification would be an advantage.

5.2 Experience

· Experience of staff management

· Experience of managing third-party contractors

· Experience in managing complex mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems

· Experience of managing planned preventative maintenance for hard and soft services

· Experience of working in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment

· Experience in planning programmes of work for maintenance in accordance with the buildings requirements and identifying gaps in the maintenance strategy.

· Experience of identifying trends and developing/implementing management reports.

· Experience in a similar field e.g. school, university or charity.

5.3 Skills

· Good interpersonal, customer care and liaison with a wide range of stakeholders

· Ability to explain technical issues to non-technical personnel.

· Ability to work both strategically and operationally.

· Ability to successfully manage time, plans and other related tasks.

· Ability to continuously meet targets and surpass expectations.

· Ability to lead, inspire and motivate a team to meet objectives.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

· Good presentation skills.

· Excellent communication skills and able to communicate with internal and external customers.

· Commercially aware with good negotiating skills.

· Excellent client facing skills with the confidence to deal with people at all levels.

· Capable of working independently and collaboratively as part of a wider team.

· Good numeracy and presentation skills.

· Self-motivated, action-focused and with a proactive approach.

· Ability to always maintain a professional appearance and approach.

· Proven ability to deal with change.

5.4 Knowledge

· Knowledge of statutory legislation (Pressure Systems Safety Regs, HSG 274 Parts 1, 2, 3, 17th Edition Electrical Regs, LOLER, Working at Height Regs, etc.) and capable of verifying certification relating to the relevant statutory legislation.

· Thorough understanding of building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire safety).

· Working knowledge of a CAFM system (Concept Evolution, TABS FM etc.)

· A good working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Project, Excel and PowerPoint.

· Awareness of sustainability and energy efficiency practices

5.5 Attributes

· Demonstrates equity, transparency and integrity with high personal and organisational ethical standards; is fair, honest and trustworthy with respect for confidentiality; inspires and builds trust and respect.

· Respectful of diversity; sensitive towards others; open and understanding toward other people’s cultures, values, autonomy, and faiths; demonstrates compassion and empathy; is courteous to others with respect for their background, religion, gender and age

· Committed to acting ethically and upholding safeguarding standards towards all staff, volunteers, and beneficiaries of the organisation.

5.6 Behaviours

· Communicates clearly and concisely, individually and across a broad scope of stakeholders and communities; expresses complex ideas and concepts in simple terms; listens to the views of others; changes communication styles to meet individual and audience needs; encourages dialogue and effective communication by others.

· Builds, maintains and deepens constructive and effective relationships with stakeholders, changes approach to achieve desired results if required.

· Has a customer focused approach, is flexible and always puts the good of others at the centre of decision making; optimises the culture of volunteerism and respect for others and is dedicated to AKF’s purpose and fulfilling the mission.

· Is a supportive team player, collaborates creating a culture of knowledge sharing and team learning. Is proactive in teamwork.

· Inspires self and others to greater performance, professional standards and results; likes to get things done; accepts new challenges and opportunities to enable self-reliance and achievement of full potential; gives and receives timely balanced feedback.

· Acknowledges creativity; adapts established methods for new uses; is focused on improving systems and processes; open to change; analyses, synthesises and challenges conventional thinking.

· Enterprising attitude that is quick to search out alternative solutions to needs or problems; creates and participates in communities of practice to establish networks of problem solving and organisational learning.

· Drives commitment to delivering high quality results with cost-effective use of resources; sets appropriate deliverables and uses innovative working methods to develop capacity, capability and a sustainable environment; has a clear vision of outcome and communicates this to inspire resources.

6. KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Internal Relationships

· AKC Events

· AKC IT

· AKC Gallery

· IIS

· AKU-ISMC

External Relationships

· Suppliers

· Kings Cross Estate