Governance Officer & Exec Assistant to the CEO

Job purpose

This is a pivotal senior administration role in a charity that is passionate about making a difference to the veterinary care that animals receive. You’ll be working closely with the Chief Executive Officer, with the trustee board and with all members of the staff team of about 20 people. The role is responsible for co-ordinating essential governance activities, including preparing, collating and distributing meeting information packs, writing minutes and managing actions following trustee and committee meetings. You’ll also provide diary management support to the Chief Executive and carry out a varied range of administrative tasks – from arranging team meetings to organising the charity’s award and grant-giving programmes.

Responsibilities

Governance and executive support

• Provide administrative support to the Chief Executive Officer, including proof reading and formatting documents, diary management, coordinating meetings and production of agendas and minutes
• Take minutes for trustee board and committee meetings, and any other meetings as requested by the Chief Executive Officer
• Organise in-person and virtual trustees meeting as well as other governance meetings as required
• Work with the trustees, Chief Executive Officer, RCVS finance team and legal advisors, ensuring legal returns and RCVS Knowledge governing documents are in order and submitted in good time to Companies House and the Charity Commission
• Maintain declaration of interest documentation and ensure that governance and compliance-related records are up-to-date
• Own the charity’s policy register, ensuring all policies are reviewed regularly and are up to date
• Carry out finance administration for the Senior Team as required, including purchasing items, collating receipts, assigning budget codes, and processing expense claims for trustees
• Provide administrative support around donations and gifts-in-will
• Manage the diary of the Chief Executive Officer, including arranging travel and accommodation when necessary

Project support

• Organise RCVS Knowledge awards (Plowright Prize, Quality Improvement Awards, Antimicrobial Stewardship Awards, etc.), including liaising with award panels, processing applications, and administration around the review and identification of award winners
• Arrange associated meetings and events for the awards

General administration

• Act as the first point of contact for RCVS Knowledge, monitoring generic inboxes and taking phone calls as required
• Manage the administrative functions of the office, for example arranging guest access for visitors when required and administering and dealing with room bookings
• Maintain and develop administrative systems, such as record management and document control
• Update records on our customer relationship management (CRM) system
• Organise and schedule meetings and awaydays, including setting the agenda and taking minutes
• Support the recruitment of new staff, including training and induction
• Provide administrative and project support to the wider RCVS Knowledge team as required

Skills, knowledge and experience

Required

• Relevant experience in an administration or governance support role
• Excellent written communication skills, with experience of writing committee meeting minutes and preparing meeting papers
• An excellent working knowledge of MS Office
• Strong interpersonal skills, with ability to work well with a wide range of stakeholders
• Experience of diary management
• Experience of electronic record keeping and file storage
• Excellent attention to detail, with good proof-reading skills
• Experience of working effectively in a team 
• Proactive and organised approach, with an ability to work on own initiative
• Numerate with an aptitude for figures
• Excellent time management skills, with an ability to work to prioritise and work to tight deadlines
• Ability to handle confidential information with sensitivity
• Understanding of and commitment to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion
• A good understanding of the need to work with effective policies and procedures

Desirable

• Experience of supporting charity governance

• Experience of using a customer relationship management (CRM) system
• Experience of administering finances, including budget coding and managing expenses