4 Executive assistant to CEO and portfolio team jobs

The Executive Director will provide strategic, operational and financial leadership for East London Dance, working in close partnership with the Creative Director & CEO to deliver the organisation’s vision and business plan, strengthening its position as an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation. The role leads people, culture, finance, governance, risk, operations, fundraising and stakeholder engagement, ensuring the organisation remains financially sustainable, well-governed and equipped to deliver high-quality artistic and community programmes.

As a senior ambassador, the Executive Director builds strong relationships with funders, partners, trustees and stakeholders, while fostering an inclusive, collaborative and values-led culture. The role creates the conditions for a thriving team, turning creative ambition into organisational reality and supporting East London Dance’s long-term success.

We’re looking for someone who can help turn our ambition into a sustainable, thriving future – building the relationships and the funding that will carry us forward, and doing it alongside a team that already cares deeply about the organisation.

If you’re someone who loves building things, who knows how to bring people and money together, and who wants to help shape what east London’s cultural life looks like for years to come – we’d love to hear from you.

Job requirements:

Must bring substantial senior leadership experience, ideally Director, Deputy CEO or equivalent level, with evidence of strategic planning, organisational growth and performance management. Must have a proven track record in fundraising, business development and income generation, including securing funding, managing funder relationships and identifying new commercial or partnership opportunities; experience leading high-performing teams, managing change and strengthening organisational culture; strong financial acumen, including understanding budgets, balance sheets and financial decision-making; knowledge of charity governance, safeguarding, health and safety, data protection and risk management frameworks; experience working with Boards of Trustees. Must demonstrate commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, be confident using Microsoft Suite, and have knowledge of ACE funding and reporting requirements.

Job Responsibilities:

Provides strategic, operational and financial leadership with Creative Director & CEO. The role translates the Business Plan into action, leads staff, freelancers and consultants, and develops an inclusive, high-performing culture. Key responsibilities include workforce planning, recruitment, HR compliance, performance management and staff wellbeing. The role oversees organisational systems, administration, IT and the operation of Talent House, including health and safety, compliance, venue hire and stakeholder relationships. They co-lead budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, cash flow monitoring and audit processes, while driving fundraising and income generation across grants, trusts, partnerships, sponsorship and earned income. The role also leads governance, risk management and business continuity planning, supports the Board of Trustees, develops strategic partnerships, represents the organisation externally and strengthens its profile, impact and long-term sustainability.

Apply via the East London Dance Website by Thursday 8 October, 12 Noon

Job Title: 

Salary:   £55,000 to £60,000 per annum

Band:  Senior Leadership Team

Contract length: Permanent - 35 hours per week, full time.  Hybrid working

Location:London-based, primarily Guildhall (EC2V 7HH) and Bow Lock (E3 3JY), with work across Thames21 project locations.                                                       

Responsible to: Chief Executive

Responsible for: Improving Rivers Managers and associated staff.

About Thames21:

Thames21 is an environmental charity which works across London and the Thames Basin to deliver high-impact nature-based solutions to the climate and biodiversity crisis by restoring rivers, whilst also connecting communities to their local green-blue spaces and inspiring long-term stewardship of them.

Diversity at Thames21

Thames21 is committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the communities we serve across London and the Thames Basin. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and lived experiences.

Purpose of the role

Lead and grow Thames21’s Improving Rivers Team to deliver high-quality river restoration, catchment management and environmental evidence programmes, while contributing to organisational growth and strategic partnerships.

Key relationships

Chief Executive and Senior Management Team, Improving Rivers Managers, Finance, Fundraising/Partnerships, external partners including the Environment Agency, water companies, local authorities, GLA and mayoral bodies, academic partners, environmental NGOs and funders.

Main duties and responsibilities

1) Strategic leadership & portfolio growth

· Lead the strategic development of the Improving Rivers portfolio, setting clear objectives and outcomes aligned to Thames21’s plan (2023–2028).

· As a member of the Senior Management Team, contribute to organisational strategy, financial sustainability, risk management and culture across Thames21.

· Translate strategy into actionable delivery plans with measurable targets and milestones.

· Embed effective monitoring & evaluation across projects and programmes to evidence impact and inform decision‑making.

· Contributing to organisational risk management and business planning.

· Champion innovation and the use of environmental/nature finance mechanisms where appropriate to scale delivery.

2) Programme oversight, quality & compliance

· Direct and support Improving Rivers Managers to deliver a coherent programme of work across river restoration, evidence, and catchment partnerships.

· Enable cross‑team collaboration (with the Engagement & Learning Team and others) to maximise multiple benefits for people and nature.

· Ensure robust project governance, risk management and reporting. Oversee Health & Safety and CDM compliance and safe systems of work.

· Act as one of the Duty Senior Managers in the weekend cover rota

· Establish and maintain portfolio measurement indices and ensure timely data entry into Thames21 platforms.

3) People leadership & culture

· Lead, motivate and develop Improving Rivers Managers; set clear objectives, undertake regular 1:1s, appraisals and PDPs.

· Foster an inclusive, collaborative and high‑performance culture.  Ensure staff wellbeing and professional development.

· Plan and chair IR team and managers’ meetings. Maintain effective internal communications and knowledge‑sharing (e.g., SharePoint).

4) Finance, funding & organisational development

· Hold delegated authority for budget setting and expenditure sign‑off within the portfolio.  Ensure accurate financial planning, management and reporting.

· Support development of high‑quality bids and funding agreements (statutory, partnership and philanthropic), including large strategic bids and environmental market opportunities by providing technical expertise, programme design and partner engagement.

· Work with Finance and Fundraising to strengthen controls, update relevant policies/processes, and ensure audit‑ready documentation.

· Contribute to whole‑organisation systems, policies and processes that support effective delivery and financial resilience.

6) External relations & advocacy

· Represent Thames21 with senior stakeholders (e.g., Environment Agency, water companies, GLA/mayoral teams, local authorities, eNGOs, funders, corporate partners and the Rivers Trust).

· Build and steward strategic partnerships and alliances that enable delivery at scale and unlock new funding and policy influence.

· Act as a confident spokesperson for Thames21 when required.

7) Reporting, governance & data

· Ensure timely and accurate portfolio reporting for SMT and Board, including dashboards/infographics and risk register updates.

· Promote effective use of organisational systems and data within the team to improve efficiency and data quality.

Key performance indicators (portfolio‑level)

· Water quality - monitoring & investigation: improved evidence base and prioritisation of pollution sources for resolution.

· Improving water quality - implementation of evidence‑based actions at catchment scale.

· Flows - natural flood management outcomes and strengthened drought/low‑flow resilience.

· River/wetland enhancement, restoration & connectivity - ecological condition and connectivity improved.

· Catchment‑based approach - strengthened hosting and partnership effectiveness.

Other Duties

This job description cannot cover every issue or task that may arise within Thames21. At various times the post-holder will be directed to carry out other reasonable duties in support of other Thames21 activities that are consistent with those in this Job Description. For more information and how to apply 

Additional Information

· The role may require occasional evening and weekend work. Travel across London and the Thames Basin as needed.

· 25 days annual leave (plus public holidays) and office closure between Christmas and New Year; flexitime/TOIL.

· Auto‑enrolment workplace pension with NEST with 8% employer contribution

· Laptop and mobile phone for company use; season‑ticket/bike loan (interest‑free).

· 24/7 access to our employee assistance programme.

Please follow thw application instructions later on in the Charity Job application process 5pm on Friday 2 October 2026. Please mark the reference of your application (HIR0926). 

We appreciate the time you will have taken to apply to this role, and we do appreciate that it is disconcerting when you don’t hear back from a role you have applied for. However, due to the high number of applications we expect to receive,we are unable respond to or give feedback on individual applications, but we do want to be able manage expectations. Therefore, if you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

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.

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