33 Customer service and programme assistant jobs

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

About RMC

RMC Charity (RMC) is an established, award winning, regional charity working across the West Midlands to support newcomers and people facing barriers to accessing services, rights and opportunities.

RMC is a growing and ambitious organisation. As we continue to develop our services, partnerships and organisational infrastructure, we are strengthening the support available to our Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and Trustee Board.

We’re also embarking on an exciting new asset development project, which will represent a significant long-term investment in the organisation and its future. The project is expected to be sizeable and complex, involving a range of external parties, professional advisers, stakeholders and partners, and will develop over the next two years and beyond.

The Senior Executive Assistant will play an important role in supporting the SLT through this period, including helping to coordinate meetings, information, actions and communications involving external parties. The postholder will need to bring structure, organisation and follow-through to a lengthy and evolving programme of work, ensuring that key actions, decisions, commitments and deadlines are effectively tracked.

We are looking for an exceptional Senior Executive Assistant who can operate at a senior level, bring structure and discipline to executive and governance activity, and act as a trusted partner to the SLT and the Board.

This is not simply an administrative role. The postholder will be an important part of how RMC ensures that decisions are followed through, commitments are delivered, information flows effectively and governance remains strong.

About the Role:

The Senior Executive Assistant will provide high-level executive, governance and organisational support to the SLT, working particularly closely with the CEO and Executive Director of Services.

The postholder will manage complex diaries and relationships, support the effective operation of the Trustee Board, prepare high-quality information and reports, and ensure that important actions and commitments do not get lost.

The successful candidate will have the confidence to work with senior leaders and managers, trustees and external stakeholders while maintaining the highest levels of discretion and professionalism.

They will also be someone who is prepared to "keep the executives honest" constructively challenging where appropriate, identifying gaps, following up on commitments and helping the SLT to anticipate and manage organisational risks.

Key Responsibilities

1. Trustee Board and Governance

• Coordinate the effective administration and operation of Trustee Board meetings, including scheduling meetings, preparing agendas and papers, circulating documentation and managing follow-up actions
• Attend Trustee Board meetings and produce accurate, concise and timely minutes and records of decisions
• Maintain an effective system for tracking Board decisions and actions and ensure that these are followed through
• Act as an important conduit between the Trustee Board and SLT, ensuring appropriate information flows between governance and executive leadership
• Support the SLT in maintaining an effective overview of governance requirements, deadlines, decisions and actions
• Maintain appropriate governance records and documentation and support the preparation of relevant papers
• Identify gaps, inconsistencies or emerging governance issues and appropriately flag these to the SLT
• Maintain absolute confidentiality in relation to Board discussions and sensitive organisational matters 

2. Executive Support and Diary Management

• Provide high-level diary management and executive support to the CEO and Executive Director of Services
• Proactively manage complex and competing priorities, identifying diary conflicts and resolving them before they become problems
• Help executives prioritise meetings and commitments according to organisational importance and strategic priorities
• Ensure executives are properly prepared for important meetings by coordinating papers, briefings, agendas and relevant information
• Arrange travel, accommodation, meeting logistics and expenses where required
• Manage meeting schedules involving internal teams, trustees, funders, partners, commissioners and other external stakeholders
• Act as an appropriate first point of contact on behalf of the SLT, maintaining positive and professional relationships
• Support the SLT in coordinating the new asset development project, which will involve a significant programme of work over the next two years and require engagement with a range of external parties
• Coordinate meetings and communications with external professionals, partners, funders, and other parties involved in the asset project
• Maintain an overview of key milestones, deadlines, and dependencies associated with the project and ensure that the relevant members of the SLT are appropriately briefed
• Ensure important commitments, deadlines and follow-up actions are tracked and completed as well as anticipate the needs of the Executives and proactively identify issues before they arise

3. Executive Information and Reporting

• Draft, edit and coordinate reports, briefing papers, presentations and other executive-level documentation
• Compile information from across the organisation and turn it into clear, concise and useful briefings, identifying areas requiring further consideration and raise these appropriately
• Prepare agendas and supporting information for SLT, Senior Management Team (SMT) and other senior meetings
• Attend relevant meetings and produce precise, action-focused minutes and records
• Support the preparation of information for strategy sessions, appraisals and organisational reviews
• Ensure that information presented to senior leaders is accurate, appropriately sourced and clearly communicated

4. Leadership Accountability and Organisational Follow-Through

A key part of this role will be ensuring that decisions and commitments made by the SLT translate into action.

The postholder will;

• Maintain oversight of key leadership and senior management commitments and actions
• Track commitments made to staff, service users, trustees, partners and other stakeholders
• Prompt senior leaders and managers where actions or deadlines are approaching or have not been completed
• Identify gaps between agreed decisions and implementation
• Constructively challenge where commitments appear to be at risk of being missed
• Help the SLT maintain visibility of emerging organisational risks, issues and dependencies
• Support the SLT to maintain oversight of the asset development project, ensuring that key actions, deadlines and dependencies are captured and followed through
• Help coordinate the flow of information between the SLT and the range of external parties involved in the asset project, ensuring that requests, actions and decisions are appropriately followed up
• Help the SLT maintain visibility of emerging organisational and project risks, issues and dependencies
• Escalate concerns appropriately and proportionately
• Support a culture of accountability, transparency and delivery

This will require judgement and courage. The successful candidate must be comfortable respectfully challenging senior colleagues when something does not look right, while maintaining trust and confidentiality.

5. Relationships and Communication

• Communicate confidently and professionally with people at all levels of the organisation
• Contribute to the existing environment where colleagues feel able to share concerns, provide candid information and challenge decisions appropriately
• Handle sensitive conversations with empathy, discretion and objectivity
• Represent the SLT professionally when communicating with internal and external stakeholders
• Maintain appropriate boundaries and confidentiality at all time

Person Specification:

Essential Criteria:

Executive support and organisation

• Minimum 5 years’ experience of providing high-level executive, senior administrative or governance support
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities and complex schedules
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to work accurately under pressure
• Experience preparing professional reports, briefings, minutes and correspondence
• Strong written and verbal communication skills 

Governance

• Understanding of effective governance and the relationship between trustees and senior leadership
• Experience supporting Boards, committees or senior-level meetings
• Ability to understand complex information and identify actions, risks and gaps
• Strong understanding of confidentiality and appropriate information handling

Technology

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft 365, particularly Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams
• Confidence using CRM systems, digital collaboration platforms and online meeting tools
• Ability to use technology to improve organisation, information management and workflow

Judgement and Discretion

• Demonstrable ability to handle highly confidential and sensitive information
• Excellent professional judgement and understanding of when information should be shared, withheld or escalated
• Ability to remain calm, balanced and objective in difficult or sensitive situations

Suitable Candidate Leadership Profile

We are particularly interested in people who demonstrate the following qualities:

• High Courage - You will need the confidence to ask difficult questions, challenge assumptions and respectfully tell senior colleagues when something needs attention
• Deep Empathy - You will understand that leadership decisions affect real people. You will listen carefully, understand different perspectives and approach sensitive situations with humanity
• Sharp Objectivity - You will be able to separate facts from assumptions, remain impartial and provide senior leaders with an honest and clear view of an issue – even when that view may be uncomfortable
• Strategic Thinking - You will understand the bigger picture. You will not simply manage diaries and actions; you will understand why they matter, how they connect to RMC's priorities and where a missed action or emerging issue could create wider organisational risk

What Success Looks Like

Within this role, success will mean:

• The CEO and Executive Director of Services are well organised, properly briefed and able to focus on strategic priorities
• Trustee Board meetings are well planned, professional and supported by accurate information and records
• Board and SLT decisions are translated into clear actions and followed through
• Important commitments do not get lost
• Risks, gaps and emerging issues are identified early and appropriately escalated
• Information provided to senior leaders is accurate, concise and useful
• Internal and external relationships are handled professionally and with discretion
• The SLT has a trusted partner who can provide challenge as well as support
• RMC's governance and executive functions operate with greater consistency, discipline and accountability

The Person We Are Looking For

We are looking for someone who is more than an administrator.

You will be highly organised, but also intellectually curious. You will be discreet, but not passive. You will be supportive of senior leaders, but willing to challenge them. You will be empathetic, but able to remain objective. You will be comfortable dealing with detail while keeping sight of the wider strategic picture.

Above all, you will be someone the SLT and Trustee Board can trust completely, someone who will see what needs to be done, make sure it happens, and have the courage to speak up when it doesn't.

Flexibility 

In order to deliver the stated aims of this post, a degree of flexibility is needed and the post holder may be required to perform work not specifically referred to above. This could include data, administrative and/or project support to other cross-organisational departments. Such duties will fall within the scope of the job within the appropriate pay grade. The job description will therefore be subject to periodic review with the post holder to ensure it accurately reflects the duties that are being performed.

Equal Opportunities

We're an equal opportunity employer, which means we'll consider all suitably qualified applicants regardless of gender identity or expression, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or beliefs, age, sexual orientation, disability status or any other protected characteristic. We recruit and develop our people based on merit and their passion for creating better outcomes, and we're committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Closing Date:  Thursday 1^st October 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date.

Please note that RMC is not a sponsoring organisation. If your visa requires an extension within the next 12 months with the support of employer sponsorship, the RMC Charity is unable to provide assistance with this.