Pa to managing director jobs

WORKING WITH US

The founder and sponsor of the Harris Federation, Lord Harris of Peckham, opened our first school in 1990. We have, over the past thirty years, implemented ideas and initiatives that have transformed the opportunities of pupils from working class and disadvantaged backgrounds. Harris academies are widely recognised as a force for social mobility. We are immensely proud of the role that our alumni are now beginning to play in the world and of what we believe our current generation of pupils will go on to achieve.

We now have over 50 schools educating more than 40,000 young people across London and Essex, and employ over 5,000 staff across our academies and head office. With the majority of our academies located in areas of high socioeconomic disadvantage, a high-quality education is key to the futures of the pupils we serve.

As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.

Our work will impact many generations to come, and our staff come from all backgrounds and walks of life, coming together to inspire young minds. We promote an inclusive culture that embraces the valuable and enriching contribution that all of our community make. We continue to be proactive in uplifting and supporting all voices at Harris.

To discover more about our culture, ethos and what it is like to work here, visit the page.

ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking an organised, proactive and professional Personal Assistant to provide high-level support to the Director of Secondary Education at the Harris Federation. This 1-year fixed-term maternity cover role is central to ensuring the smooth running of the Director’s day-to-day operations, including diary management, stakeholder communication, meeting coordination and the preparation of key documents.

As part of our Head Office team, you will work closely with senior leaders and colleagues across our secondary academies, playing an important role in supporting the Federation’s mission to deliver an outstanding education for thousands of young people. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, demonstrates exceptional attention to detail, and enjoys building strong, professional relationships.

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Your responsibilities will include:

• To present the professional and welcoming face of the Harris Federation and all secondary academies, to all visitors, staff and students, in person and on the telephone.
• To ensure that the Director’s diary is managed efficiently and effectively. This will involve liaising with a variety of external and internal stakeholders.
• To provide a daily/weekly diary and documentation and maintain an overview of approaching deadlines.
• To maintain the Director’s contacts.
• To maintain an exemplary professional environment for the Director at all times.
• To ensure that all visitors are welcomed and catered for in a professional manner, organising refreshments as appropriate.
• To exercise complete discretion when dealing with issues of confidentiality and sensitivity.
• To take all telephone calls, in the first instance, dealing with queries, passing on calls if necessary.
• To keep the Director’s meetings file and retrieve necessary paperwork as and when meetings arise.
• To be responsible for organising meetings and passing on messages between all stakeholders, parents/carers, external agencies and students and the Director.
• To liaise with clerks to Governors to ensure that all relevant paperwork and correspondence is efficiently managed for all the secondary academies.
• To support the Director with the preparation of paperwork and presentations for a range of meetings including interviews, disciplinary hearings, grievances, performance management, presentations, training sessions etc.
• To liaise with Federation admin teams, Data, HR, IT and Finance Business Managers, as well as PAs and Principals across the Federation as appropriate.

For a full list of responsibilities, please download the Job Pack.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We would like to hear from you if you have:

• Appropriate degree or equivalent experience in previous roles
• Trained in the use of a variety of ICT packages
• Knowledge of personal assistant roles and responsibilities
• Training in typing and formatting of a variety of documents including spreadsheets
• Experience of managing staff in relation to the PA role
• Some experience of human resources e.g. recruitment and/or monitoring attendance
• Experience of working to targets and deadlines
• Experience of managing meetings including preparation and circulation of papers, minutes and ensuring information is circulated as required
• Ability to communicate well both orally and in writing
• Ability to work to deadlines
• Ability to be flexible
• Ability to communicate exceptionally well with parents and carers as well as other stakeholders in the academy

For a full job specification, please download the Job Pack.

APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION

If you would like to discuss the opportunity further, or if you have any questions, please contact us via email to arrange a conversation.

Before applying please ensure you download the job pack from our careers website, this will help with completing your application. Please note that we only accept applications submitted online before the closing date.

When applying, you will have the option to import your CV or use a LinkedIn profile which will auto populate the online application.

A reminder to check your junk mail for our email communications and add us to your safe senders list to ensure all future email communication is received.

OUR VISION & VALUES

Our vision, from the start, has been to provide the structure and services needed for our schools to amount to more than the sum of their parts, and to free-up our teachers and leaders to focus on one thing and one thing only: the outstanding education of all their pupils. Our young people and communities are at the heart of everything we do. Our core mission has always been to close the educational gap between young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers. Our ambition is one where every child in London, no matter their background, has equal access to high quality education, giving them the same opportunities and potential to succeed.

We know there are many challenges facing our young people and the communities we serve, and that’s why we need determined people like you to help us tackle those inequalities. Whilst each of our academies has their own unique cultures and values; as a whole Federation, we have four core values which are central to successfully achieving our vision: Excellence, Collaboration, Support, and Innovation. We are proud of our values because they guide us in how we work allowing us to achieve the best possible outcomes for our young people, communities, and colleagues.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

Harris has a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

You will also have access to a variety of benefits, support programmes and initiatives including:

• Excellent opportunities for continuous professional development and career progression
• Annual performance and loyalty bonus
• Pension scheme (Teachers' Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme) with generous employer contribution
• 26 days' annual leave (inclusive of our Christmas Eve closure day) plus bank holidays, rising to 27 days after 2 years' service, or equivalent for staff on term time contracts
• Harris Wellbeing Cash Plan including cover for routine and specialist healthcare
• Employee Assistance Programme for free and confidential advice
• Cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme
• Wide range of shopping, leisure, and travel discounts
• 20% off at Tapi Carpets, exclusive to Harris employees
• Interest-free ICT and season ticket loans

For most non-teaching staff based at our Head Office in East Croydon, we also offer lifestyle friendly working arrangements including flexible start and end times, and hybrid working with two days from home and three days on site.

You will provide day-to-day administrative support to the Managing Director (MD); editing and disseminating organisational materials for internal and external audiences; support preparation of Board of Trustee and Executive Team reports and meetings, and minute meetings; represent Afghanaid in coordination meetings. You will be required to work closely and effectively with all other departments of Afghanaid to achieve unity of purpose, results and optimal use of organisational resources. 

Main Duties

• Coordinate the MD’s daily diary, screen email, draft correspondence and prepare documents for meetings and professional appointments.  

• Provide preparatory materials and coordinate the MD’s external representation and fundraising engagements, draft talking points and speeches, visual presentation and workshop materials.

• Coordinate and support drafting of internal quarterly reports and other Executive Team reports, as well as the external Annual Report, and ensure appropriate distribution; edit other organisational strategic and operational documents as required.

• Minute Board of Trustee, Executive and other internal meetings attended by the MD.

• Research and write internal and external briefs and reports to be used in national and international level communications.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for managing requests from various departments to the Managing Director, ensuring efficient communication and follow-through on tasks.

• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to schedule and organise meetings for the MD.

• Organise MD’s travel, trustees’ visits, annual retreat and other events as requested. 

• Represent Afghanaid in advocacy and influencing forums and meetings.

• Assist the MD in monitoring performance indicators against strategic and operational plans.

• Support the communications focal point in the Kabul office, including taking photos and collecting case studies. 

• Perform other relevant duties as assigned and approved by the MD. 

PERSONAL SPECIFICATIONS

Essential

Education: 

• Master’s degree in relevant research-based discipline (Development, Anthropology, Policy and Research, International Relations or similar subjects) or an undergraduate degree with relevant experience.

Experience: 

• Writing high quality policy and communications documents for public use

• Practical experience in a similar role

• Working with high levels of autonomy

• Voluntary or work experience within international development or charity sector

• Managing relationships with a variety of different stakeholders

• Coordinating research projects

Skills:

• Excellent proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint), and familiarity with relevant AI tools

• Excellent written and spoken English (to native standard) 

• Strong conceptual and analytical skills

• Integrity, honesty, transparency and a firm commitment to professional standards of confidentiality

• Sense of humour, initiative and self-motivation, excellent teamwork and communications skills, ability to work collaboratively with others

• Sensitivity to Islamic culture and respect of Afghan customs and traditions, able to live and work in a diverse environment

• Outstanding organisational skills, able to communicate and collaboratively manage competing priorities

• Drive to achieve results and get things done

• Ability to deal with difficult, challenging work situations and remain calm under pressure

Desirable 

• Experience living, travelling or working in isolated and conflict locations/countries

• Firsthand understanding of the operating environment of humanitarian and development work in Afghanistan (or a similar context)

• Basic fluency in Dari or Pashto

Other Information

Afghanaid’s core values are creativity, fairness and honesty. Our staff are passionate about and proud of Afghanaid’s work. Teamwork is fundamental to our standards and demonstrated by taking initiative, assisting others and taking on additional responsibilities and tasks if necessary. We are results driven, committed and motivated to achieve targets and take accountability for our own actions. 

This position is based in Afghanaid’s head office in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Due to security considerations, this is an unaccompanied post. International employees are entitled to 22 annual leave days, 25 rest and relaxation days, 5 travel days and 13 public holidays per year. Afghanaid also provides a generous travel allowance for international staff to take R&R out of the country.

Our remuneration and benefits package is competitive with other similar organisations. 

You will be given a private room in the staff house where all Kabul-based international hired staff members live.

This position presents an excellent opportunity for someone who has the ambition and determination to gain a foothold in the international humanitarian relief and development sector and move up in their career.

Sport England is entering a pivotal period of transformation. As we deliver our longterm strategy to improve lives and strengthen communities through physical activity, we are reshaping how we work.  We are embedding clearer accountability, greater efficiency, and a culture defined by high performance and purposeful delivery. 

We are now seeking an Executive Director, Resources to provide strategic direction and operational leadership across several of Sport England’s core corporate functions. 

This is a role for a leader who can blend strategic insight with practical delivery, and who can inspire a modern, diverse workforce to thrive. You will play a vital part in ensuring that everyone in England can access the benefits of sport and physical activity. 

With funding from both the National Lottery and grantinaid from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, our work relies on strong, strategic stewardship. As Executive Director, Resources, you will lead key corporate services such as driving performance, championing continuous improvement, and ensuring that our resources are aligned to deliver maximum value for money and measurable impact. 

As a member of Sport England’s Leadership Team, you will help shape organisational culture, promote cross functional collaboration, and model inclusive, accountable and high performing leadership. 

We are looking for an experienced senior leader with a strong track record of overseeing core corporate functions within a complex organisation. You will be confident operating at board level and skilled at building trusted, cross sector partnerships that support long term organisational success. 

Experience in the sport, public or charity sectors is welcome but not essential – what matters is your ability to bring strategic clarity to this role.   

If you’re passionate about enabling impactful, inclusive outcomes for communities nationwide and excited by the opportunity to shape and strengthen Sport England from within please register your interest at Odgers.

We are looking for a College Administrator/Receptionist to join our team on an initial 9 month MAT cover – this may extend to 12 months.

You'll provide administrative and reception support to Ambitious College, based at West Thames Campus. You'll be the first point of contact for the college, receiving visitors, telephone calls, deliveries and email. You'll meet and greet external and internal visitors, ensuring they are signed in/out according to internal processes.

You'll assist with any parent/carer communications, such as emailing/telephoning, sending out information packs or letters as needed. You'll provide administrative support for financial processes, including raising purchase orders, processing invoices and goods received.

We are looking for someone who has:

• Experience of providing high quality administration and reception support within a fast paced /busy and pressurised environment
• Excellent IT skills – Microsoft Office and particularly Outlook, Excel and Word
• Experience of financial administration and processes such as invoicing, petty cash and use of financial systems/software
• Excellent interpersonal skills at all levels via telephone and written forms of communication including experience of being able to set out and form correspondence

In return, we offer great benefits including a generous holiday allowance and commitment to continued professional development (CPD), flexible working and more!

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious individual who would like to work for a forward-thinking, open and honest organisation and make a real impact to the young people we work with. Please find our full recruitment pack on the link below.

If you have any questions about the role or would like to have a confidential chat, please contact James Axford, Recruitment Officer.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of our organisation. We warmly welcome applications from all qualified candidates, valuing the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives they bring. We encourage applications from individuals regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or parental status, disability, or age.

Our recruitment process promotes equal opportunities, and we are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities or additional needs throughout the recruitment process. Please contact our Recruitment Team for accommodations. We recognise disability as a physical or mental impairment that significantly and long-term affects a person's ability to perform day-to-day activities, as defined by the UK Equality Act 2010. All applications will be considered solely on merit, aligned with our mission to support autistic children and young people.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. As part of our Safer Recruitment checks, an online search maybe carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

The Safeguarding responsibilities of the post as per the job description and personal specification.
Whether the post is exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendment to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2021. This means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS Filter Guidance.

As an interim Supervising Solicitor in Public Law, you will supervise and carry out CPAG’s public law legal aid cases, to benefit families and children in poverty. You will play an active role in managing CPAG’s legal practice and conduct high-profile public law litigation. 

We are looking for someone who is passionate about using the law to advocate for the rights of, and directly improve the lives of, families in poverty. The ideal candidate will be a solicitor (E&W qualified) with experience of conducting public law litigation and legal aid (publicly funded) work. You will be able to supervise the casework of colleagues, such as CPAG’s junior or trainee solicitor(s) and welfare benefit advisers. You may have experience of working with clients in vulnerable situations or with additional needs, for example, survivors of domestic abuse, refugees, disabled people or children and young people.

We welcome applications from individuals with the skills and experience outlined and we can be flexible about working arrangements. We operate a hybrid working system and would be happy to discuss any flexibilities required. CPAG is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion which you can read more about in the job pack. 

We welcome applications on a secondment basis.

For more information about this post and to apply download the Supervising Solicitor - Public Law (Interim)

Location: MSSC NSC, 200B Lambeth Road, London, SE1 7JY (Hybrid Working)

Contract: Full-time permeant

Salary: £39,000 gross, per annum

Closing Date: 1 March 2026

Face to Face Interviews: Either 25 or 26 March 2026

Application: CV & Covering Letter

Are you a Safeguarding professional looking for a new opportunity and challenge?  We are currently looking for an exceptional Safeguarding Officer to join our expanding team.

The Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC) is the leading maritime charity for youth development and lifelong learning. We are a vibrant and growing charity inspiring young people to achieve their potential through challenge and nautical adventure and also enabling seafarers and maritime professionals to realise their potential through learning and career development. Working with our employees, cadets, and volunteers, we have built a strong vision and five-year Future Ready strategy to meet the growing demand for what we provide, both for young people, seafarers and maritime professionals – and the thousands who aspire to be the sea cadets and marine professionals of the future. It is also about equipping them to achieve their potential and thrive in a rapidly changing world, while growing our charity to benefit even more people – including those from under-represented or marginalised groups.

About the role

We have an opportunity for a Safeguarding Officer to join our very busy team!

The organisation has a strong safeguarding ethos promoting the overall safety, safeguarding and welfare of all of our members. We are seeking individuals who have experience of the voluntary youth or community sector or other relevant professional field and have direct practice experience of working with children & young people in a safeguarding context.  You will have excellent knowledge of the principles and practices of Early Help along with experience and knowledge of statutory requirements, and best practice guidance, relating to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk. 

Our safeguarding team operates centrally in London where we are responsible for providing support, advice and guidance to our volunteers relating on all safeguarding matters across the UK. Our safeguarding Officers act as our lead professionals in managing safeguarding casework in line with our policy, procedures and statutory duty.

We aim high and strive for excellence in our practices to safeguard children, young people and adults at risk.  We are continually evolving and seeking ways to improve and enhance our safeguarding practices as we move forward. 

Whilst this is a Monday- Friday full time position, a flexible approach to work and working patterns is a must, as is the ability to work effectively and respond appropriately in challenging circumstances. 

Requirements

• Support, guide and coach SCC volunteers to implement a local response to safeguarding concerns
• Effective and skilful management of an allocated caseload
• Lead professional – Allegation Management
• Action referrals to statutory agencies e.g. Local Authority Designated Officer, Police, Children’s Services, Social Care or equivalent across the UK (including DBS, PVGS)

For further information, please download the full Recruitment Pack.

For applications to be considered, it is essential that both a CV & Supporting Statement are submitted.  Supporting statements should detail how a candidate’s qualifications, skills and experience meet the requirements of the Job Description and Person specification.

Without this, we sadly will be unable to progress your application for this role.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave per annum increasing with length of service
• Hybrid working for many roles
• Life assurance (4x salary)
• Private medical insurance
• Generous pension (employer contribution up to 10%)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Wellbeing portal and EAP with 121 counselling
• Employee development: We are investing in our employees' development and have an annual calendar of learning and development opportunities, designed to support employees to develop into their roles and stretch them to achieve their full potential.

Additional Information

MSSC positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. Equity, diversity, and inclusion really matters to us, so we can best serve our beneficiaries from every community. We work to ensure a fair and consistent recruitment process and aim to be a charity where diversity of experience, identity and skills are valued and welcomed. MSSC is an equal opportunities employer.

Safer Recruitment - We recognise our responsibilities to safeguard and protect the young people and vulnerable adults with whom we work. We do all we can to promote their health, safety and wellbeing, and we expect our staff to share this commitment and work in line with safeguarding policy, the MSSC’s values and ethos of inclusivity. We adhere to safer recruitment practices and therefore employment is subject to detailed pre-employment checks for successful candidates, including references and criminal disclosure checks and the completion of a disclosure questionnaire. 

All successful applicants are required to attend safeguarding training and undergo pre-employment checks including a criminal record check.