One external trustee and one external committee member jobs

ABOUT THE PASSAGE 

Our vision is of a society where homelessness no longer exists, and everyone has a place to call home.

The Passage is based in the heart of Westminster, providing practical support and a wide range of services to help transform the lives of people who are, or are at risk of, street homelessness.

We are guided by our Vincentian values and offer our clients resources and solutions to prevent or end their homelessness for good, including routes to employment, benefits, and stable accommodation. 

Our current 3-year strategy ‘The Art of The Possible’, outlines the innovative approach we will be taking over the next 3 years building on a foundation of collaboration and focusing on three goals: preventing, convening and sustaining.The Passage is in a secure and financially stable position and is viewed by central, regional and local government as a key strategic partner.

JOB PURPOSE  

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, and reporting directly to the CEO, this role is of critical importance in supporting The Passage to achieve its vision and mission.

The Executive Assistant provides dedicated support to the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team, with key tasks including action tracking, minute taking, developing resources and materials for events, diary management and regularly being the first point of contact for individuals and organisations seeking to liaise with the CEO/Senior Leadership Team. We expect the post holder will have excellent relationship management skills, sound experience of using Office 365 products, strong organisational skills and the ability to support the smooth running of the Executive Team and governance functions.

The post holder will facilitate effective governance support systems, including organising meetings and supporting Trustees and Committee members to fulfil their roles where needed. They will also have excellent professional standards of confidentiality and discretion in all areas of work, including assisting and supporting high profile events at The Passage. 

MAIN DUTIES 

• Support the effective governance systems of The Passage Group (P2000, Passage Housing Services and Passage Trading Services) by ensuring effective Trustee and Committee member recruitment, induction and continued professional development.

• Support each Chair of Board with the implementation and ongoing review of a skills matrix system. 

• Act as the first point of contact for external bodies and individuals who wish to communicate with the Chief Executive, ensuring that the organisation is professionally represented and seen as accessible and responsive. 

• Liaise with Board members, teams and external organisations as necessary to facilitate the work of the Senior Leadership Team. 

• Assist the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team to project manage specific pieces of work and assist with the relationship management of key stakeholders. 

• Maintain professional standards of confidentiality and discretion in all areas of work. 

• Develop and manage systems that provide effective support for the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team, including diary management, scheduling and servicing meetings, project planning and monitoring communications.

• Assist in producing resources and other materials for the Senior Leadership Team as required. 

• Assist and support the CEO and Senior Leadership Team with the management and running of high-profile events as required. 

• Provide administrative support to Senior Leadership Team, Board and all Governance Committees including the production of annual governance meeting schedules, correspondence and minutes, and compiling and circulating papers.

• Maintain an up to date and accessible filing system for the Chief Executive and ensure that all information is stored in an accessible manner on SharePoint, adhering to data protection requirements. 

• Arrange meetings for the Chief Executive providing links with those involved and preparing hospitality, papers, and all practical arrangements. 

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES 

• In conjunction with your Line Manager, continuously develop the role to ensure that all tasks are being undertaken in an effective and appropriate manner which meets the strategic aims and objectives of The Passage. 

• Participate in internal/external meetings as required, and attend training events, conferences and other functions as necessary. 

• Participate in regular supervision, annual appraisal and identifying individual professional and personal development and training needs. 

• Ensure that all The Passage policies and procedures are being adhered to, particularly those relating to Health and Safety, Code of Practice and Confidentiality. 

• Contribute to the effective implementation of The Passage’s Diversity and Equality Policy as it affects both The Passage and its work with vulnerable adults. 

• Undertake your role in a professional manner at all times to maintain a high-quality standard of work in accordance with the aims, values and ethos of The Passage. 

• Undertake any other duties that may be required which are commensurate with the role. 

Note: The details contained in this Job Description summarise the main expectations of the role at the date it was prepared. It should be understood that the nature of individual roles will evolve and change as service, service users and commissioner needs change. Consequently The Passage will review and revise this Job Description as required in consultation with post holders. 

Person Specification: Executive Assistant  

The person speification sets out the essential abilities and qualities that will be used in the selection criteria for this post.When completing your application form, please address criteria E1 to E6 and K1 to K4 demonstrating your experience and knowledge, giving evidence of your experience and abilities. 

EXPERIENCE 

E1 Experience of working as an Executive Assistant or equivalent senior support in a similar context. 

E2 Experience of devising and maintaining governance support systems (recruitment, induction, training and development and skills audit support).

E3 Experience of administering effective governance cycles; including minutes, action tracking and preparation of papers. 

E4 Experience of diary management, inbox management and stakeholder coordination. 

E5 Experience supporting strategic projects, programmes, or organisational planning. 

E6 Excellent communication skills, with ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a range of diverse stakeholders, both internal and external.

KNOWLEDGE  

K1 Knowledge of Office 365 products and project tracking tools. 

K2Enhanced knowledge of governance and committee structures within a charitable organisation.

K3Knowledge of GDPR and Charity Commission guidelines for good governance. 

K4Knowledge and experience of working as part of a senior leadership team or similar. 

Job Summary 
 
To manage and ensure control of the funding, financial and corporate resources of the Charity to ensure a financially secure service, delivering value for money. 

Work with the Co-Directors to advise and develop the financial strategy, model new projects, prepare annual and project budgets, and report on financial performance, contributing to the overall future strategic direction of the Charity.

Manage the day-to-day finances for the Charity. Ensure all aspects of the financial systems are accurate and up to date, including banking, sales and purchase ledgers, payroll and cash management.

The postholder is expected to foster excellent working relationships with all staff, volunteers, senior colleagues and trustees. 

The postholder will be expected to attend the following meeting groups: 

• Monthly All Staff: regular attendance 

• GDPR/Data Working Group 

• Finance and Income Generation (FING) Committee Meetings 

• Responsibilities to and attendance at all other meetings: attendance only as and when required and/or at the direction of the Co-Directors 

Key Responsibilities 

• Supervision and management of Senior Finance & Admin Officer (SFAO) 

• Day to Day Financial Management 

• Provision of accurate reports to Board and senior managers 

• Payroll, Pensions, and Tax Management overview and control 

• Budget Process Management 

• Statutory Reporting & Charity compliance 

• Account Management – Key Suppliers/Contractors 

• Financial Risk Management 

• Governance support to FING Committee and Trustees 

Core External Relationships 

• Payroll Provider 

• TPT Pensions 

• HMRC 

• All Banks 

• Charity Commission 

• Companies House 

• Charity Auditors 

• IT Contractor & Insurers 

Day to Day Financial Management 

• Regularly review and maintain financial policies and procedures. 

• Review the monthly reconciliations carried out by the SFAO thereby ensuring all transactions are properly and efficiently recorded. 

• Oversee the management and appropriate allocation of Restricted Funds, ensuring the monies are allocated according to the donor’s wishes and ensure that records are always maintained 

• Regularly review and make recommendations for improvements to financial controls and ensuring methods are documented and made clear to staff.

• Support with funding bids and reports back to donors 

• Management of all charity bank accounts, acting as authorised signatory with Banks 

Payroll, Pensions and Tax Management 

• Supervise the payroll process carried out by SFAO 

• Responsible for the effective management Charity’s Pension Scheme

• Ensure payments to HMRC are made accurately and on time, and ensure all available allowances are claimed. 

Budget Process Management 

• Take the lead on preparing the Annual Budget, working closely with SLT to capture all spending plans Develop and run a process which is thorough, consistent and inclusive of all managers. 

• Alongside the Co-Director, present the Draft Budget to Board for approval 

• Present monthly management accounts and Cost Centre reports for all managers

• Work closely with all SLT to ensure they fully understand their budgets and ongoing organisational performance against budget 

• Monitor variations against spend and integrate within an overall Cashflow analysis 

• Recommend corrective actions to Co- Directors and/or Board as necessary 

Statutory Reporting & Charity compliance 

• Act as lead member of staff with the Charity’s Auditors 

• Oversee the preparation of the Annual Accounts plus any supporting papers required to enable an efficient and effective annual audit to take place 

• Maintain fixed asset register and inventory of all equipment contracts/agreements 

• Ensure the Charity is fully compliant with statutory bodies and key external institutions, and act as lead on behalf of the charity with the following bodies: 

• Charity Commission 

• Companies House 

• Pensions Regulator 

• HMRC 

• Valuation Office 

• All Banks 
   

Account Management – Key Suppliers/Contractors 

Insurance 

• Take the lead in managing the insurance renewals process, and ensure that a comprehensive suite of insurances is in place to cover key risks across the Charity 
   

Financial Risk Management 

• Ensure appropriate financial risk management techniques and controls are in place at strategic and operational levels. 

• Develop, update and produce long term cashflow forecasts to evidence that the Charity can operate as a going concern. 

• Provide up-to-date dashboards and reports of the financial position, projections and scenarios, considering the financial implications of alternative business models, advice on new and current business income generation initiatives and analysis of financial risk and performance. 

• Work with the Co-Directors, to ensure that the appropriate processes are in place for the long-term financial viability of the charity, advising on the financial consequences of proposed actions 
   

Governance support to FING Committee and Trustees 

• Assist the Chair of FING Committee (Treasurer) 

• Prepare all associated papers and minutes 

• Prepare finance papers for Treasurer to deliver to Board of Trustees 

• Attend Board of Trustees meetings and present information as requested 
   

General 

• Postholder to adhere to their relevant Code of Ethics as laid down by their professional body, being mindful that adherence to the code takes precedence over charity policy and practice should a conflict ever arise. [NB Sections A + C of the current professional code are applicable.]

• Keep abreast of financial developments across the charity sector and ensure any opportunities for tax reliefs, cost reduction, value for money and more effective systems are seized as appropriate.

• Undertake any other duties as determined by the Co-Directors. 

 
Personal Specification 

• Personally committed to Caring in Bristol’s vision and values and collaboration-focused method of work. 

• Committed to reflection and learning, including sharing failures and uncertainties; openly taking feedback from the team and members of the community on your behaviour and work. 

• Bring ideas for improvements and is open and honest in all communications where relevant and appropriate. 

• Awareness of your own needs: the homelessness sector can be challenging – you will be good at knowing your limits under pressure and will be confident to ask for help when you need it. You will receive support from your team, and we are keen to nurture an environment where no-one feels worried about asking for help or support when they need it. 

• Resilience working under pressure, ability, and willingness to both give and take constructive feedback. 

• Willingness to work the extra hours where needed, with a flexible working policy. 

• Growing levels of self-awareness, including an understanding of how your background has shaped the opportunities afforded to you and how you relate to people from different backgrounds to you. 

• Willing to develop emotional intelligence, including a growing ability to empathise with and appreciate others, creating opportunities for those you work with to grow. 

• A passion for social justice and to change Bristol for the better. 

Essential 

• Minimum part qualified accountant or qualified by experience with strong financial management experience, with an ability to understand the practical impact of finance decisions and processes across the whole charity. 

• Specialist knowledge of Charities required, including Charity SORP guidance and procedures, underpinned by strong theoretical knowledge and practical experience. 

• Ability to work with the Co-directors to lead the formulation of long-term financial plans and strategies which will influence the long-term direction of the charity. 

• Experience in developing major finance policy development. 

• Experience in budgeting and financial planning.

• Experience in management accounting. 

• Ability to receive, process and provide highly complex or sensitive financial information including ability to analyse and clearly communicate financial information.

• Strong IT skills including the Microsoft Office suite, in particular Excel, and experience of using databases. 

• Solid organisational skills including consistency, accuracy, and an eye for detail. 

• Experience of line management and supporting and developing staff. 

• Knowledge and understanding of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion practices. 

Desirable  

• Experience in using QuickBooks accounting software is desirable or transferrable knowledge of similar online accounting packages. 

First stage interviews to take place on 17 June 2026