Executive assistant and project coordinator jobs in manchester, greater manchester

Join our friendly and mission-driven team at NFER, where you’ll help bridge the gap between research and classrooms. This is your chance to bring vital insights directly to schools – raising awareness of the NFER Classroom brand and increasing the reach and impact of our research findings within the education community.

Pay: £36,000 - £40,000 (FTE)
Contract: 18-month fixed-term contract
Hours: Part-time (21 hours)
Location: Remote within the UK, with occasional visits to our Slough office (approx. 6 times per year)
Annual Leave: 30 days plus 4 paid closure days FTE
Pension Contributions: 10% employer contributions
Family Support: Enhanced maternity/parental leave and paid compassionate leave

What you’ll be doing
In this role, you’ll be at the heart of our mission to connect schools with powerful, practical research. You’ll take a leading role in shaping how NFER communicates with educators, using your creativity and insight to bring our work to life across digital channels.

One day you might be crafting social media content that sparks conversation among teachers, the next, you’ll be writing an email newsletter that lands just right with a headteacher seeking evidence-based ideas. You’ll help turn research into engaging, accessible summaries, so schools can quickly grasp key insights and put them into action.

You’ll also update and improve our For Schools website pages, ensuring every word is useful and user-friendly. Behind the scenes, you’ll track performance using analytics, learning what works and what could work even better. And throughout it all, you’ll collaborate with researchers, designers, and communications experts to deliver thoughtful, impactful campaigns that schools actually want to read.

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential skills and experience:

• Experience in marketing communications or a related role
• Excellent writing skills and creative flair
• Confidence using digital tools such as social media platforms, Canva, Google Analytics and CRM systems
• Strong time management and the ability to work independently
• A collaborative approach and a clear focus on impact
• Experience working in or with schools is a bonus, but not essential.

If you meet only 70% of our essential skills, still apply; you may have skills we didn’t know we needed.

Other roles you may have experience of include: Marketing Executive, Marketing Officer, Marketing Assistant, Marketing Coordinator, Marketing Specialist, Brand Executive, Communications Executive, Digital Marketing Executive, Social Media Executive, Content Marketing Executive, Email Marketing Executive, SEO Executive

WHY NFER?
At NFER, we are recognised globally for providing trusted research, resources and insights that drive meaningful change. By joining us, you’ll contribute to a mission that prioritises impact over profit, working in an environment where collaboration, flexibility, and inclusion are valued.
What we offer:

• A supportive and inclusive workplace culture.
• Opportunities to develop your skills and advance your career.
• Flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance from day 1.
• The chance to make a real difference in the education sector.

APPLICATION PROCESS
We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis and encourage you to apply early. Shortlisting will commence from 23rd June 2025.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any adjustments or accommodations at any stage, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to support
you and ensure a positive experience. For further details, please review the Job Information Pack.

If you’re ready to bring your skills and passion to a role that makes a difference, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now and start your journey with NFER.

About Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance

Pathfinders is a user-led charity run by and for people living with muscle-weakening conditions. We support disabled people and those who employ personal assistants (PAs) through peer support, information, training, and advocacy. We believe in the power of lived experience and centre disabled voices in everything we do.

About the Role

We are looking for a highly organised and motivated Project Coordinator to lead the delivery of an exciting new learning and development project for individual employers and personal assistants. The project will support people who employ PAs through direct payments and their PAs to develop the knowledge and skills they need through videos, peer-led training, discussion sessions, and case studies.

You will oversee the planning, coordination and delivery of the project, ensuring activities run smoothly, are well-attended, and meet the needs of learners. You’ll work closely with people with lived experience of employing PAs, guest speakers, partner organisations, and the wider Pathfinders team to deliver high-quality, accessible training and resources.

We strongly encourage applications from people with lived experience of employing PAs, or who have supported others to do so.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate the delivery of the training project, including scheduling and facilitating sessions, managing communications, and tracking progress against objectives.

• Work with Pathfinders staff, guest speakers and people with lived experience to produce a series of bite-sized training videos for PAs and employers.

• Organise and support delivery of:

  • Fortnightly peer-learning sessions for PA employers

  • Monthly case study sessions for PAs

  • Monthly “Train the Trainer” classes for employers

• Engage and support participants, including managing bookings, sending reminders, and providing follow-up information.

• Promote the project in collaboration with our communications team and external partners, including disability charities, PA networks, and local authorities.

• Gather feedback, measure impact and contribute to reporting for the funder.

• Support participants to access additional training opportunities (e.g. SfC resources, the Individual Employer Fund, local training).

• Ensure accessibility and inclusion are embedded in all activities.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Strong project coordination skills and the ability to manage multiple activities simultaneously

• Excellent communication and people skills – confident talking to diverse audiences including disabled people, PAs, professionals and partner organisations

• A clear understanding of the challenges and responsibilities of employing personal assistants

• Good digital skills and confidence using online platforms like Zoom, Google Drive, Microsoft Office and social media

• Ability to work independently, manage time effectively and meet deadlines

• Committed to inclusion, accessibility and user-led values

Desirable:

• Lived experience of employing PAs or supporting someone who does

• Experience creating or coordinating learning content or training sessions

• Experience working in the disability, health or social care sector

• Knowledge of direct payments and personalisation in adult social care

Timeline:
We are expecting funding for this role to be confirmed on 30 June and if this is confirmed, we are hoping to get started as soon as possible. The closing date for this role is therefore 30th of June, with interviews to be held between 1st-6th July. 

We're looking for someone to be the regional representative for Crimestoppers in the Avon and Somerset area, with specific responsibility for;

• Creation and delivery of local/county/regionally specific crime-based campaigns in partnership with law enforcement agencies, local committees and volunteers.
• Coordination of cross border and national activity in support of ROCU’S, the NCA and other bodies such as the GLAA.
• Identifying and maximising funding opportunities for our charity including RM post, campaign activity, Fearless workers and for Business Development.
• Enabling volunteer committees to develop so they can operate effectively and achieve their full potential.
• Act as Crimestoppers spokesperson for the region covered, regarding media interviews.

Criteria

Essential

• Project management i.e. scoping planning, implementation and delivery of projects
• Budget management experience
• Ability to spend time away from home to meet the needs of the role.
• Ability to work unsociable hours in line with the needs of the role.
• Ability to work to tight timescales, and to work within pressurised time critical and decision-making scenarios.

Desirable

• Experience of working with the commercial/ statutory sector in relation to campaigns/ media.
• Experience of working with volunteers and the third sector.
• Ability to liaise with senior and junior management within organisations to delivered relevant outcomes.
• Basic knowledge of policing practice.
• Experience of lone working

Please submit a CV and covering letter expressing your interest in the role.