Personal assistant jobs in London, greater london

Permanent,| Full Time | Circa £35,000 + Excellent Benefits

Location: London

Make a Difference Every Day

For more than 100 years, the RAF Benevolent Fund has been supporting the RAF Family. We are a key partner in the Royal Air Force’s mission to look after its people during and after service, ensuring that this service is valued, recognised, and people are supported even when uniforms are eventually shed. We are a national charity with international reach, delivering emotional, financial and practical support wherever and whenever it is needed. Each year, our vital services and support continued to help those serving, families, veterans, and the bereaved, in 30 other countries and in 2024 more than 64,000 people benefitted from the charity’s work.

As an organisation, we encourage learning and development and there will be ample opportunity to learn more about the Royal Air Force, the broad impact of the Fund’s work as well as developing your own skillset. 

About the Role
We’re looking for a proactive, highly organised Executive Assistant to support to the Director of Fundraising and Director of Strategy & Impact. You’ll manage complex schedules, coordinate meetings and committees, prepare key documents, and support strategic projects.

This is a role for someone who thrives on responsibility and variety. You’ll:

· Act as secretary for key committees, preparing agendas and taking minutes.

· Liaise with senior stakeholders internally and externally.

· Ensure smooth communication across the organisation.

· Have the opportunity to volunteer for events, meet with beneficiaries and visit RAF Stations.

What We’re Looking For

· Exceptional organisational and communication skills.

· Ability to take initiative whilst providing timely and consistent support to Directors.

· Ability to manage multiple priorities with discretion and professionalism.

· Confidence engaging with senior internal and external stakeholders.

Additional Information

· Standard DBS check required.

· Must have the right to work in the UK.

How to Apply
Please submit your CV and a cover letter explaining why you’re the perfect fit, including examples of how you meet the job profile.

Closing Date: Tuesday 21st April 2026, 5:00pm

A copy of the Fund’s Candidate Privacy Notice can be found on our website. As an equal opportunities employer, the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. The Fund takes safeguarding seriously, and appropriate background checks will be completed. You can find out more about our commitment to safeguarding on our website.

The RAF Benevolent Fund follows Safer Recruitment practices as it strives to ensure that everyone who comes into contact with the Fund will be protected from harm. The successful candidate for this role will need to be Standard DBS checked and prove they have the right to work in the UK. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join the Fund.

The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund is a Registered Charity (No. 1081009).

We’re currently looking for a Deputy Executive Assistant to the Group Chief Executive Officer, offered on a fixed term basis of 6 months, to help us deliver our mission. This a full-time position, 35 hours per week.

What’s it like working at the IOP?

The IOP is a friendly, inclusive and ambitious organisation. Diversity and inclusion are central to how we work. We focus on supporting our people to thrive, offering competitive pay, great development opportunities and a generous benefits package.

Some of our benefits include:

• An excellent pension scheme
• Private medical insurance, life assurance, dental insurance and a healthcare cash plan
• Eye care vouchers, annual flu vaccinations, long service awards and access to an employee assistance programme
• 25 days’ annual leave as a standard, in addition to floating bank holidays
• Flexible working opportunities

The Role

What will I be doing?

You’ll be responsible for a broad range of high‑level Executive Office support activities, including:

• Preparing, coordinating and servicing senior leadership meetings, including drafting clear agendas, collating accurate papers, taking high‑quality minutes and tracking actions with a strong attention to detail.
• Providing high‑quality executive and administrative support to the CEO Office, including complex diary and inbox management, and the drafting, handling and dispatch of correspondence on behalf of the Group CEO with excellent written accuracy and judgment.
• Supporting effective planning, briefing and preparation to ensure the Group CEO is fully equipped for internal and external engagements, with well‑structured briefings and precise, timely documentation.

Projects you may work on include:

• Coordinating national and international travel programmes for the Group CEO, President and senior trustees, producing accurate itineraries and paperwork to ensure effective use of time and seamless stakeholder engagement.
• Supporting the delivery of high‑profile Institute events involving the Group CEO, Executive Team and senior stakeholders, with a strong focus on detail, logistics and written briefings.
• Undertaking short‑term project work and research for the Executive Team, analysing and summarising information clearly and producing briefings, reports or presentations as required.

Who will I work with?

You’ll work closely with a wide range of colleagues and stakeholders, including:

• The CEO Office Operations Manager and Executive Assistant to the Group CEO and President, working collaboratively to ensure the smooth, accurate and professional running of the Executive Office.
• Executive Directors, senior trustees and members of the Leadership Team across the Institute and its subsidiary companies, including IOP Publishing.
• Senior internal and external stakeholders, including equivalent CEO offices in partner organisations, government and learned societies, requiring clear, professional written communication and attention to detail.

Ideally, we hope you’ll apply if you bring:

Essential:

• Proven experience providing high‑level PA or Executive Assistant support in a fast‑paced, complex environment, including diary management, meeting support and high‑quality minute‑taking.
• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to draft clear, accurate and professional correspondence, briefings and minutes, alongside a consistently high level of attention to detail.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills, with the judgment and discretion to handle confidential and sensitive information.
• Advanced IT skills, including confident use of Microsoft 365 applications (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel).

Nice to have:

• Experience supporting senior executives or boards within a charity, professional body, membership organisation or similarly complex environment.
• Experience using CRM systems and maintaining accurate electronic records and contact databases.
• A professional qualification as an Executive Assistant or Personal Assistant (or working towards one).

How to apply

Alongside your CV, please include a cover letter explaining how you meet the person specification.

How will I be working?

We operate a flexible, trust based working model that gives colleagues autonomy over how, when and where they work, while recognising the value of in person collaboration. You will be assigned a base office, with hybrid working offered as standard. This role does however involve regular visits to our head office based on business needs. 

You will engage in regular in person collaboration with your team (as operational appropriate), as well as with colleagues across the wider organisation, to ensure effective operational alignment and to support our inclusive approach to working.

As an organization we meet in person once a quarter at our Head Office in Kings Cross, London. 

Why join the IOP?

The IOP is the professional body and learned society for physics in the UK and Ireland. As a charity, we’re passionate about increasing public understanding of physics and supporting a diverse and inclusive physics community. 

We’re committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive culture for everyone. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the application or recruitment process, please let us know we’re always happy to help.

Please note whilst we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role, we warmly encourage applications from candidates who already have the right to work in the UK and Ireland.

JOB DESCRIBTION

Job title: Executive Assistant to the CEO

Contract: Part time, 3 days. Flexibility regarding working pattern: hours could be worked across 3 or 4 days in the week. Permanent contract.

Salary: £17, 398 pro rata (£29,000 full time equivalent)

Manager: Gestalt Centre CEO

Location: Hybrid working. In-person at London Kings Cross and remotely.

ABOUT US: THE GESTALT CENTRE

We are the Gestalt Centre, an established therapy not-for-profit organisation, supporting the mental and psychological well-being of individuals, groups, and organisations. We are a dynamic charity that runs, accommodates, and supports a number of counselling, psychotherapy, personal and professional development courses, and a range of therapeutic practices that enhance mental and psychological wellbeing.

As Gestalt Centre, our relationship with people who work for the centre starts from a place of trust. We see our structure as an organisational shape that we use to organise ourselves. What matters for us is how we all work together. We prioritise collaboration and ‘horizontal’ consultative decision making with individual and collective responsibility and accountability.

OUR VISION is a world were meaningful and fulfilling relationships lead to wellbeing  and positive change in people’s lives.

OUR PURPOSE is to promote the mental and psychological well-being of individuals, groups and organisations through Gestalt education, training and practice.

Gestalt is a life-changing approach to life, counselling, and psychotherapy. It enables people to develop meaningful relationships, navigate change and lead fulfilling lives by creatively utilising their own resources, skills and strengths.

OUR VALUES IN PRACTICE 

Diversity, equality, inclusion and anti-discrimination: We value equity and inclusion and welcome diversity and difference in backgrounds, identities, cultures, and voices. We also commit to anti-discriminatory action and encourage personal and collective awareness, reflection, and learning. It is integral to who we are and how we work and study together.

Kindness and respect for each other and the space we cohabit. Our relationship with people who work, learn and access therapy at the centre starts from a place of respect and kindness. This way we create a space where we can show up, work, and learn authentically and meaningfully. Feel seen, heard, and included.

Collaboration and mutuality: We work and study together, collaboratively and with respect and appreciation for each other. Every person matters and so does the collective.

Community, awareness, and personal responsibility: We are a community of staff, students, practitioners, and clients; working, studying, and accessing therapy at the centre. Individually and collectively, we are responsible for our presence and behaviour. Also responsible for our community and the space we inhabit.

ABOUT THE JOB

Job Purpose 

We are looking for an exemplary people-oriented administrator to provide administrative support to the Gestalt Centre CEO and the workstreams she manages. An important role in the organisation, working with senior leadership and across teams, in a welcoming and supportive environment with opportunities to learn and grow on the job.

Areas of work and responsibility

• Administrative Support to the Gestalt Centre CEO
• Coordinate and support projects and workstreams the CEO leads on: Operations, Communications and Marketing, Short Courses and Post Graduate Qualifications, HR, Finance, Policies, Fundraising and Health & Safety.
• Liaise with the CEO and the leadership team to update the organisational plan and workstream plans, also keep track of relevant priority actions and progress.
• Provide administrative support for governance processes such as the Annual Financial Audit, Trustee Board meetings, the Charity Commission and Companies House submissions.
• Provide administrative support to the organising and running fundraising activities and events.
• Administrative support and coordination for the annual planning of Short Courses and Post Graduate Qualifications programmes. 
• Organise, provide administrative support, and attend as appropriate, weekly operational meetings, monthly Executive meetings, and other project meetings, led by the CEO. Prepare meetings set up, information and any required papers in advance. Organise dates, taking and sending out minutes and coordinate follow-up actions ensuring progress and completion.
• Liaise with the CEO to prepare, format, edit and update reports and policies for internal and external audiences to a high standard.
• Provide a professional first point of contact for the CEO and as required liaise with her and the leadership team in order to respond to emails or phone calls and organise follow up meetings.
• Office team support such as reception/admin cover or support with events, as and when occasionally required.
• Carry out responsibilities with due regard to the Gestalt Centre values, policies and procedures.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Key Competencies and Qualities

• Educated to degree level or equivalent with good English and Maths.
• Experience working with and assisting senior leadership professionals.
• Excellent organisation and planning skills and experience, including balancing competing demands and prioritising effectively, forward planning and working to tight deadlines.
• Excellent coordination skills and good experience of coordinating projects, workstreams or activities.
• Excellent communication skills, including conveying information clearly and adjusting approach, manner, and language to suit varying situations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills (‘people person’) such as developing good working relationships with colleagues, working collaboratively and initiating relevant discussions to progress with work tasks.
• Experience and able to work well with senior professionals and in a positive professional matter.
• Able to work in a confident, calm, diplomatic and confidential way in a senior role and a therapy setting. Reliable and mature with a sense of personal responsibility for the role and the work involved.
• Flexibility and proactive problem-solving, always working with kindness and respect.
• Excellent attention to detail and confident with numbers.
• Good working knowledge and experience of databases and online administration systems, including information and files management.
• Able to plan and organise own work effectively and able to work well in a dynamic busy setting.
• Able to work collaboratively and independently on own initiative.
• Experience working effectively and appropriately with confidentiality and data protection in mind and in line with organisational policies and practice.
• Good working knowledge of MS Office applications such as MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint, email, and the internet.
• Commitment to Equal Opportunities and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
• Preferably experience working within an educational, training or therapy setting (desirable).

Are you passionate about the Samaritans’ mission and eager for a new challenge?​

We’re looking for a part-time Executive Assistant (20 hours per week) to support our Executive Leaders and help Samaritans continue to be there for people when it matters most.​

As an Executive Assistant, you’ll be highly organised and a great communicator. You’ll be responsible for providing highly efficient and effective support across all administrative and organisational activities. Working in a responsive team you will be one of the first points of contact for the Executive Leadership Team and will assist with administration and organisation of diaries for meetings and travel arrangements, preparing briefs and drafting a range of communications. You’ll attend key meetings in a supporting role and ensure efficiency and timely support to the Leadership team.​

​You’ll also assist with front-line reception administration services in the Ewell (Surrey) Office as required.

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Contract terms:

£32,000 - £34,000 per annum, plus benefits (£18,285 - £19,428 pro-rata for 20 hours)

Permanent

Part-time, 20 hours per week

Predominately office Based in Ewell (Surrey), with occasional opportunity to work from home

Some occasional out of hours and weekend attendance at events/meetings.

We are passionate about flexible working. Talk to us about your preferences.

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​What you'll do:

• ​Manage the diaries of our Executive Leadership Team, prioritising demands where required
• Coordinate travel, accommodation and other logistical arrangements
• Prepare, check and administer paperwork for meetings, ensuring deadlines are communicated and met
• Provide coordination support to our Senior Leadership Team for key meetings and activities
• Draft correspondence for the Executive Directors and monitor responses
• Coordinate the preparation and dissemination of reports and documentation
• Liaise with key stakeholders on behalf of the Executive Leadership Team, building and maintaining positive relationships
• Provide reception cover when required

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What you’ll bring:

• Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels
• Knowledge of general office administrational functions
• Excellent organisation skills with proven ability to prioritise competing deadlines and demands
• Ability to produce clear documentation
• Strong attention to detail
• Experience of working with sensitive and confidential information
• Ability to maintain a professional approach, even when working under pressure
• Experience of working within the charity sector, and project support or project management is desirable.​

See full Job Description and Person Specification

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Why Samaritans?

At Samaritans, you’ll be part of a people-first organisation deeply committed to inclusion, compassion and learning. You’ll contribute to a team where your voice matters, your expertise makes a difference, and your work helps save lives.​

We welcome applications from individuals with lived experience and encourage those from underrepresented communities to apply. We are committed to creating an environment where all our people feel seen, heard and supported.​

You’ll join a values-led organisation with a powerful mission and a collaborative culture. We offer flexible hybrid working, excellent benefits, and the chance to make a tangible difference in suicide prevention across the UK and Ireland.​

For further information about Samaritans, including our charity structure, values, employee benefits, and application process, please read our recruitment brochure available here. You can also visit our careers website to access this.​

We recognise the enormous benefits and the social justice imperatives of ensuring diversity at every level of our organisation. Samaritans is wholly committed to inclusion and diversity and to building a culture and environment where everyone is appreciated for the unique person they are. To ensure Samaritans is representative of those we support and who support us, we particularly welcome applications from disabled, racialised minority and LGBTQ+ candidates, as these people are under-represented at Samaritans.

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Apply now

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, please apply. You will be asked to one application question and to upload your CV and cover letter.

Applications close: ​09:00am on Monday 13th April 2026

Interviews will be held at our office in Ewell (Surrey) w/c 20th April

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At Samaritans, human connection is at the heart of everything we do.

We do not use AI at any stage during the selection process. Your application will always be carefully reviewed by the recruiting manager or a member of the Talent Attraction Team.

We kindly ask that you avoid using AI tools to generate your application or interview answers. We want to hear your own ideas, insights, and writing style so your unique strengths can shine through.