Executive Assistant to the CEO/COO

FareShare

Job Description – Executive Assistant to the CEO/COO

Reporting to: CEO Office Manager

Location: London (Hybrid)

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 35 hours a week (will consider P/T up to 28 hrs per week)

Salary: £31,000 -£32,000

We welcome applications from all backgrounds. We are a Disability Confident Employer that welcome disabled applicants and provide reasonable adjustments.

About FareShare

FareShare is the UK’s national network of charitable food redistributors, made up of 18 independent organisations. Together, we take good quality surplus food from right across the food industry and get it to nearly 8,500 frontline charities and community groups.

The food we redistribute is nutritious and good to eat. It reaches charities across the UK, including school breakfast clubs, older people’s lunch clubs, homeless shelters, and community cafes. Every week we provide enough food to create almost a million meals for vulnerable people.

Every year, more than three million tonnes of food go to waste in the UK, enough for 7 billion meals. Meanwhile, the cost of living crisis is driving millions into food insecurity.

We are fortunate to benefit from the support of major retailers, the media, ambassadors, and a groundswell of public engagement. As a result, there has never been a more exciting time to join an organisation at the heart of public consciousness.

FareShare’s Strategy & Vision
 
Vision: We have the vision of a UK where “No good food goes to waste”.

Mission: To use surplus, fit for consumption, food to feed those who are vulnerable in the UK by supporting front line charitable organisations that tackle the cause and not just the symptoms of food poverty.

Our Purpose: We are doers. We are a community. We change lives.

Our Values:  Passion – for our cause and the challenge that lies ahead

Ambition – to go the extra mile and drive the change that must happen

Respect – for ourselves, each other, our volunteers, our partners and our beneficiaries  

Collaboration – it’s only by working with others that we can be stronger

Focus – on providing the best service possible so that we deliver and achieve   the most for our clients/customers.

The role

We are looking for an Executive Assistant to support our CEO and COO. The ideal candidate will be a proactive problem solver with exceptional communication skills and meticulous attention for details. This person should have experience working with colleagues at a senior level, in an office environment, performing a range of administrative duties. Given the dynamic nature of the executive landscape, we will rely on the executive assistant to be flexible and consistent while maintaining the confidentiality of high-level systems and operations.

Objectives of this role

• Support the CEO/COO primarily to ensure the smooth and efficient running of FareShare operations.
• Manage communication and contacts with external stakeholders including network and industry partners and board of trustees.

Main areas of responsibility  

• Scheduling and calendar management, as well as content and flow of information to the leadership team, board of trustees and other external stakeholders
• Inbox management including responding to and redirecting emails and other correspondence as directed.
• Liaise with leadership team and other key colleagues across the organisation.
• Manage information flow in a timely and accurate manner.
• Support the CEO/COO with travel and accommodation arrangements.
• Maintain professionalism and strict discretion and confidentiality.
• Organise and plan events, both internal and off-site on behalf of the CEO/COO
• To undertake any other tasks that would be deemed suitable within this role as directed by line management.

Person Specification

As an employer committed to Equal Opportunities, we will assess applications in line with these criteria that we consider either as being essential or desirable in this role.

Experience and qualifications.

Essential

• Experience of working as an Executive Assistant, Personal Assistant or similar role; or experience in an administrative role reporting directly to upper management
• Experience of organising internal and external meetings
• Experience of managing a busy diary involving multiple individuals
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong time-management skills and an ability to organize and coordinate multiple concurrent projects.
• Excellent knowledge and proficiency with MS Office tools and an aptitude for learning new software and systems.
• Flexible team player, excellent interpersonal skills and a willing to adapt to changes.
• Experience in developing and maintaining internal processes and filing systems.
• Ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality of information

Competencies and behaviours

• A commitment to Equal Opportunities.
• An understanding of, and sympathy with FareShare’s mission.
• Flexibility of approach and ability to work in a team and across other internal teams.

Benefits

• Hybrid / Flexible working, with regular UK travel
• 28 days’ annual leave + 8 bank holidays
• Employers pension contribution
• Employee Assistance Program
• Interest free bicycle purchase loan scheme
• Season ticket loan