Executive assistant jobs in London

Executive Assistant to the CEO

Salary: £38,442
Location: Finsbury Park, London (4 days per week, office-based - non-negotiable)
Contract: Permanent | 35 hours per week

Join an organisation changing lives every day

Freedom from Torture is one of the UK's leading human rights charities, dedicated to supporting survivors of torture to heal, recover and rebuild their lives. Their work combines world-class therapeutic care with fearless campaigning to hold torturers accountable and protect people seeking safety. Few roles offer the chance to work this closely with an organisation making such a profound, measurable impact.

Why this role is so exciting

As Executive Assistant to the CEO, you will sit at the heart of a mission-driven organisation working at the frontline of human rights. You'll be supporting exceptional leaders, enabling smooth governance of the charity, and contributing directly to strategic work that strengthens protection for survivors of torture in the UK and beyond.

You'll be based in Freedom from Torture's vibrant Finsbury Park office 4 days per week - a non-negotiable requirement, and an essential part of the role. This is a collaborative, energising and purpose-driven environment where colleagues work closely together, share ideas openly, and genuinely care about the impact they are making.

The role

You will provide high-quality executive support to the CEO and essential governance support to the Chair and Board of Trustees. From expertly managing diaries and coordinating high-profile meetings, to preparing papers and ensuring the smooth running of Board and Committee cycles, your work will make a tangible difference to the effectiveness of the leadership team.

Minute-taking and governance administration have never been more streamlined - the charity's adoption of Copilot transcription tools means you'll have modern AI support to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and high-quality outputs.

What you'll bring (Essential):

• Experience supporting senior leaders - ideally in a fast-paced, high-profile environment
• Strong experience supporting Boards and Committees, including preparing papers, managing governance documentation, and taking accurate minutes
• Comfortable using Copilot or similar AI transcription tools to support efficient minute taking
• Exceptional diary and inbox management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Impeccable organisation and the ability to manage multiple priorities
• High discretion, integrity, and sound judgement
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work confidently with stakeholders at all levels
• Proficiency with Office 365 and digital collaboration tools
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach - someone who enjoys making systems work better

Why you'll love working here

• A deeply committed, passionate team working for a cause that matters
• A busy, encouraging, community-focused office culture
• The opportunity to influence the effectiveness of a vital human rights organisation
• A leadership team that values innovation, learning and continuous improvement

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supporting the CEO

• Assist and support the CEO in the fulfilment of his/her responsibilities, including (but not limited to):
• Diary and other contact management, meetings booking and confirmation, including judgement on the level and appropriateness of engagement.
• Assist the CEO to prepare slide decks and other materials for presentations.
• Liaise with the Travel Officer and other departments to ensure all travel arrangements are made for the CEO as required. Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to schedule meetings with the CEO and to ensure venues and arrangements are well prepared.
• Meeting, greeting and booking rooms for any external visitors, acting in a friendly and professional manner.
• Circulating the agenda, booking rooms and capturing notes for Executive Team meetings.
• Ensure stakeholder contact details are kept current on ParalympicsGB’s  contact database.

Supporting the Board and ParalympicsGB’s governance

• In collaboration with the Chair and the Head of Governance and Compliance:
• Agree timings, locations and logistics for Board meetings, including booking rooms and providing refreshments.
• Ensure agenda and Board papers are uploaded to the Teams channel for Board members to access and assist with issues Board members may have accessing Teams.
• Prepare email responses, letters, briefing papers and other documents as required by the Chair in connection with BPA business.
• Support Board members in arranging meetings in connection with ParalympicsGB business
• Plan for Board members attendance for the Games, being the key point of contact sharing information with both the Board and internal planning teams.
• Support the Head of Governance and Compliance in preparing and managing member meetings, including NPC meetings, Election meetings and Annual General Meetings. Leading on:
• Ensure timings, venues and agendas are communicated to members and papers are made available to members.
• Book rooms for member meetings and arranging refreshments.
• Send out invitations and papers, collate the guest list, confirm numbers, accessibility & dietary requirements
• Ensuring changes in member contact details are kept current on the BPA’s contact management database.
• Support the Head of Governance and Compliance in processes around electing and appointing Board members, including appointment letters and induction information.

Events

Working closely with the Events and Projects Manager and internal event leads, help to coordinate the planning and delivery of the entire portfolio of ParalympicsGB external events. Ensure all events are planned and delivered to a consistent high quality.

• Ensure planning deadlines are met in a timely manner and that internal and external stakeholders have been consulted with as required.
• Provide expertise to event leads to ensure ParalympicsGB events address accessibility in the planning and delivery, and that all events have a consistent look and feel.
• Ensure all Health & Safety risk assessments are done and risks are being managed.
• Coordinate all room/venue bookings and catering arrangements
• Support with venue research and recces and attend venue planning meetings
• Send invites, manage responses and FAQs.
• Coordinate any additional logistics required e.g. gifting, branding, movement of equipment
• If required, provide event support on the day and/or arrange colleague support on the day.
• Work with colleagues to ensure lessons learnt from previous events are embedded into future planning.

Other

• Project Lead for Games Time Ticketing ensuring the successful delivery of this complex Games workstream.
• Support on the planning of major projects, such as Team Lodge and leading on the planning of project workstreams as required
• Provide support with planning and coordination of the ParalympicsGB Guest programme.
• Manage the ParalympicsGB inbox ensuring responses are provided in a timely manner and information is disseminated as required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ROLE REQUIREMENTS - SAFEGUARDING

Due to their engagement with the ParalympicsGB teams at both the Summer and Winter Games, an assessment process may be undertaken to determine whether or not the post-holder requires a DBS Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) List check.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Excellent organisational and administrative skills

• Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills
• Precise attention to detail
• Well-developed time management skills, including the ability to set and meet deadlines and to prioritise work

• Strong written/ presentation skills
• Ability to self-start and be proactive in determining priorities and tasks

• Ability to manage projects

• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office tools including Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Outlook.
• Plenty of experience working in Microsoft Teams and with Sharepoint

Desirable

• Awareness of and sensibility towards disability issues
• Experience of a multi-stakeholder environment such as a membership organisation
• Experience of working in the high-performance sport system
• Experience of working in a charity or not-for-profit organisation

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES AND QUALITIES

• Ability to operate with absolute discretion on confidential matters, with an understanding of when to escalate issues as appropriate
• Innovative and self-assured, able to work alone and self-manage
• Ability to build strong professional relationships and work within a team environment
• Working with integrity and honesty to gain the confidence and respect of others
• Committed, enthusiastic and motivated
• Willingness and desire to entertain new ideas and seize opportunities
• Willingness to accept and encourage constructive challenges
• A willingness to do what is needed to get the job done

This job description is not to be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. It is intended as an outline indication of the areas of activity and may be amended from time to time in the light of the changing needs of the organisation through appropriate processes of consultation and the mutual agreement of both parties.  

VALUES

ParalympicsGB is an organisation with a unique role and key responsibilities within the UK high performance system. Delivery of our ambitions very much relies on both working in partnership with others, and by focussing on our two strategic priorities: taking the best prepared team to each summer and winter Games; and inspiring social change.

As an organisation we are committed to three values: excellence, respect, and integrity. Every ParalympicsGB member is expected to adhere to: 

Excellence

Everything we do reflects our ambition to be world leading. We care deeply about what we do and bring a flexible, positive, and progressive approach to our interactions with others. Like the athletes that we support, we will always challenge ourselves and others to do better. 

Respect

Our relationships with each other, our partners and the wider community are based on respect, trust, and a deep-seated belief in diversity, inclusion, and the value of our differences.

Integrity 

We demand the highest standards from ourselves and others, seeking always to do the right thing and to engage with openness and transparency in all that we do. 

Prospectus is delighted to be supporting a vibrant, frontline focussed charity working hard in the community with the search for an Executive Assistant. 

The Executive Assistant to the CEO will be joining a central services team in a crucial role.  The post holder will provide comprehensive support and ensure the smooth running of the executive office.

Excellent project management and organisational skills is a must, along with good understanding of Microsoft office applications and the ability to communicate effectively at all levels.

Working Hours: 35 hours per week, 9:00-17:00, Monday to Friday with some flexibility required.  The role will be based on site 5 days per week.

Key responsibilities: 

• Coordinate the CEO's complex schedule
• Prepare agendas and take accurate minutes for Board, committee, and senior leadership meetings along with other grouping as necessary
• To organise all business travel arrangements for the CEO (and SLT members, where requested by the CEO)
•  Act as the first point of contact for the CEO with internal and external stakeholders.
• Draft, prepare, and handle correspondence, reports, presentations, and other documents, maintaining accuracy and quality standards
• Manage confidential information with the utmost discretion and integrity
• Undertake research and prepare briefing materials for strategic initiatives
• Support the CEO in planning and delivering organisational events (AGM, VIP visits, project launches and training events)
• Assist with the coordination and delivery of our annual programme of Community Fundraising and Challenge Events
• Develop links with corporate businesses

At Prospectus, we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome all candidates to apply, regardless of age, sex/gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, or pregnancy/maternity.