Executive Assistant & Operations Coordinator

Job purpose

The Executive and Operations Coordinator provides essential administrative, operational, and executive support to enhance the effectiveness of Toynbee Hall’s Advice Services directorate. This role combines high-level executive assistance including managing the diaries of the Managing Director and Deputy Director of Advice Services, coordinating communications, and preparing for meetings with operational support across finance, HR, onboarding, and general administration. Working closely with the finance team, HR, and advice teams, the Executive and Operations Support Officer raises and tracks purchase orders, processes invoice, reconciles credit cards, and ensures contracts and approvals are completed on time. They also provide flexible support across the directorate, assisting with logistics, meeting documentation, and crossteam coordination as needed. Reporting to the Deputy Director of Advice Services, this role plays a key part in ensuring seamless operations and enabling senior leaders to focus on strategic priorities and service delivery.

Scope of role

The role is task-managed by the Director of Advice Services and the Deputy Director of Advice Services

Key working relationships

Director of Advice Services, Deputy Director of Advice Services, Advice Services Senior Leadership Team, HR, IT Support, Finance Team.

Key Responsibilities

1. Diary and Inbox Management:

• Manage the Director of Advice Services' diary and email communications to ensure optimal organisation and timely responses to internal and external queries.  
• Coordinate appointments, meetings, and travel arrangements, balancing the Director’s workload and priorities.

2. Senior Leadership Support:

• Organise, plan, and take minutes at senior leadership meetings, including handling logistics like booking rooms, arranging refreshments, and notifying attendees.
• Follow up on action items and ensure the implementation of decisions made during meetings.
• Prepare and distribute reports and other documentation to keep the leadership team informed and engaged.

3. Operational and Admin Support for Deputy Director of Advice Services:

• Assist with delegated tasks from the Deputy Director to support broader operational and strategic objectives.  
• Facilitate communication between the Deputy Director and other departments or external stakeholders.  
• Support and work on operational and admin tasks as needed.

4. Operations Team Support:  

• Assist the advice services operations team with administrative tasks, particularly in finance, such as processing invoices, raising Pos, tracking payments, etc.
• Support project management activities, ensuring tasks are completed within deadlines and budgets.

5. Communication Facilitation:

• Serve as a point of contact for internal and external stakeholders seeking to connect with the Advice Services directorate.
• Manage the distribution of information to staff and stakeholders to ensure consistent and clear communication.

6. Event Coordination:

• Help plan and execute internal and external events, including workshops, conferences, and staff meetings.
• Handle all event-related arrangements such as guest lists, venue, catering, and technology needs.

7. Ad-hoc Support:  

• Provide flexible support to other senior managers and teams within Toynbee Hall as needed, including during special projects and peak periods.
• Coordinate and organise additional meetings and manage any emergent administrative needs.

Person Specification

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

Essential Criteria:

1. Experience and Skills:

• Proven administration or personal assistant experience, including significant experience working with senior management in a similar organisation.
• Excellent IT skills, with proficiency in using office software like Microsoft Office and particularly adept in spreadsheets.
• Strong organisational and communication skills, with an excellent attention to detail.

2. Communication and Interpersonal Skills:

• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with all staff members. o Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Competence in handling sensitive information with discretion and maintaining confidentiality. 3. Personal Attributes:
• High level of professionalism and integrity.
• Ability to work independently and proactively without supervision.
• Capacity to remain calm and effective under pressure, adopting a “find a solution, no blame” attitude.
• Open-minded, inclusive, and collaborative approach, seeking fresh and alternative perspectives. o
• Commitment to empowering others by sharing knowledge and enabling action.

3. Commitment: 

• Strong alignment with Toynbee Hall’s mission, strategy, and values. 
• Willingness to participate in training and develop further understanding in areas such as safeguarding.

Desirable Criteria:

1. Sector Experience: 

• Experience in the charity sector or advice services.

2. Additional Skills:

• Familiarity with project management tools and event coordination.

Further information

The role requires working from the Toynbee Hall office (or occasionally other locations in London) an average of 2-3 days per week minimum. There is some flexibility in hours

Please download the full Job Description for more details.

Our Benefits Package

We believe in supporting our employees with a well-rounded benefits package designed to enhance work-life balance, financial security, and overall well-being.

Annual Leave

• 25 days of annual leave, plus 3 additional days for our Christmas shutdown (on top of bank holidays).
• After 2 years: +3 extra days of leave.
• After 3 years: +1 additional day.
• After 5 years: A total of 30 days annual leave, plus the 3-day Christmas shutdown.

Pension

• Standard Life Pension Scheme – Employer contribution: 4%, Employee contribution: 5%

Additional Perks & Support

• Enhanced Sick Pay for peace of mind during illness
• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to support growing families
• Employee Eyecare Vouchers to support your vision health
• Employee Assistance Programme for free, confidential advice and support
• Mental Health First Aid to ensure workplace well-being
• Tenancy Deposit Scheme to help secure your home
• Interest-Free Season Ticket Loan for cost-effective commuting
• Cycle to Work Scheme to promote a healthier, greener way to travel
• Charity Mentoring Network to support professional development and networking

We’re committed to creating a supportive and rewarding work environment, because when our team thrives, we all succeed!

About Toynbee Hall

Based in the East End of London since 1884, Toynbee Hall is a charity working alongside people facing poverty, injustice, and inequality to build a fairer East London. We provide vital advice and support, working in partnership to tackle unfairness and ensure everyone has an equal chance to thrive.

We have recently launched a new strategic plan which reinforces that our purpose is to build a fairer future with an end to poverty, injustice and inequality.

We work towards this by:

• Addressing poverty and injustice through advice and support and influencing systemic change.
• Shifting power to people and communities affected by injustice and inequality.
• Collaborating to end poverty and build fairer systems and institutions. What we want to see in the world starts with our community and our organisation.

This means:

• Working together to build a thriving local community where people have the resources they need, feel their voices are heard and are optimistic about the future.
• Being a good employer, where people are treated fairly, feel engaged and empowered, and work together to achieve our shared vision.
• Acknowledging the role Toynbee Hall has historically played in civic society while recognising that our role now is to shift power, to be an effective partner, and to amplify voices that are less likely to be heard.

What we learn from our work in east London we use to inform and influence wider policy – working to influence change in structures, systems and policies.