6 Senior executive assistant to the CEO and chair jobs

Rays of Sunshine, recognised in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026, is looking for an experienced and proactive Executive Assistant to the CEO to join our small, ambitious and collaborative team.

This is a varied part-time role at the heart of the organisation, working closely with the CEO to provide high-quality executive support and help coordinate governance, projects, organisational priorities and key operational activity.

You will be joining Rays of Sunshine at an exciting point in our development, with a clear focus on strengthening how we work, delivering our ambitions well and continuing to grow our impact for seriously ill children and their families.

This is much more than a traditional diary-management role. You will work closely with the CEO across a broad range of priorities, helping to create structure, maintain momentum and ensure important actions are followed through. The role will involve coordinating meetings, briefings and actions; supporting Committee and governance processes; helping to keep key organisational projects on track; and providing practical support across operational activity.

You will also play an important role in the wider rhythm of the organisation, helping to coordinate team meetings, collaborative sessions, away days, staff engagement activity and actions arising from staff feedback.

We are looking for someone who is highly organised, calm under pressure and confident working independently. You will need excellent judgement and absolute discretion, with the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately. You will be someone who can anticipate what is needed, take ownership of tasks through to completion and build strong relationships with colleagues, Trustees, advisers, partners and suppliers.

Our team is small, values-led and ambitious. We value collaboration, kindness, accountability and a willingness to get stuck in. Because of our size, everyone has a visible impact, and this role will suit someone who enjoys being at the centre of an organisation, understands how to keep things moving and takes pride in doing the small things exceptionally well.

Experience in governance or the charity sector would be helpful but is not essential. We are more interested in finding someone with strong EA or senior coordination experience, excellent judgement and the ability to bring structure and pace to a busy environment.

At Rays of Sunshine, we brighten the lives of seriously ill children and their families through magical wishes, hospital services and our wider Wish Community. This is an opportunity to use your skills in a role where the quality of your work will directly support the effectiveness and impact of the charity.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, with interviews held on a rolling basis on or before 8 October 2026. An immediate start is desirable, so early applications are encouraged.

If you’re passionate about safer communities and want a role where your work has a direct and lasting impact, this could be the perfect opportunity. As Crimestoppers’ Regional Manager for our Eastern Region (Kent, Essex, Norfolk & Suffolk), you’ll play a pivotal part in helping protect the public, empowering local people, and supporting the agencies working to prevent and solve crime.

We’re looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Regional Manager to represent Crimestoppers across the area. You’ll work closely with law enforcement and community partners to design and deliver meaningful crime‑prevention campaigns, while also coordinating cross‑border and national initiatives with organisations such as ROCUs and the NCA. You’ll empower local volunteer committees to thrive, act as a spokespeople for Crimestoppers in local and regional media, and drive funding opportunities that help expand our impact.

This role variety, and the chance to genuinely make a difference. We’re seeking someone with strong project and budget management skills, confidence under pressure, and the ability to build strategic relationships. Experience in or significant knowledge of the voluntary sector, media campaigning, or policing practice would be an advantage. If you’re committed to community safety and excited by the challenge of influencing real change, we’d love to hear from you.

Please read the full job pack before before submitting your CV and a covering letter.

FTC until March 2029 | Full time | Home based - travel required | £39,993 + £8,400 car allowance | DBS required

Job Title: 

Salary:   £55,000 to £60,000 per annum

Band:  Senior Leadership Team

Contract length: Permanent - 35 hours per week, full time.  Hybrid working

Location:London-based, primarily Guildhall (EC2V 7HH) and Bow Lock (E3 3JY), with work across Thames21 project locations.                                                       

Responsible to: Chief Executive

Responsible for: Improving Rivers Managers and associated staff.

About Thames21:

Thames21 is an environmental charity which works across London and the Thames Basin to deliver high-impact nature-based solutions to the climate and biodiversity crisis by restoring rivers, whilst also connecting communities to their local green-blue spaces and inspiring long-term stewardship of them.

Diversity at Thames21

Thames21 is committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the communities we serve across London and the Thames Basin. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and lived experiences.

Purpose of the role

Lead and grow Thames21’s Improving Rivers Team to deliver high-quality river restoration, catchment management and environmental evidence programmes, while contributing to organisational growth and strategic partnerships.

Key relationships

Chief Executive and Senior Management Team, Improving Rivers Managers, Finance, Fundraising/Partnerships, external partners including the Environment Agency, water companies, local authorities, GLA and mayoral bodies, academic partners, environmental NGOs and funders.

Main duties and responsibilities

1) Strategic leadership & portfolio growth

· Lead the strategic development of the Improving Rivers portfolio, setting clear objectives and outcomes aligned to Thames21’s plan (2023–2028).

· As a member of the Senior Management Team, contribute to organisational strategy, financial sustainability, risk management and culture across Thames21.

· Translate strategy into actionable delivery plans with measurable targets and milestones.

· Embed effective monitoring & evaluation across projects and programmes to evidence impact and inform decision‑making.

· Contributing to organisational risk management and business planning.

· Champion innovation and the use of environmental/nature finance mechanisms where appropriate to scale delivery.

2) Programme oversight, quality & compliance

· Direct and support Improving Rivers Managers to deliver a coherent programme of work across river restoration, evidence, and catchment partnerships.

· Enable cross‑team collaboration (with the Engagement & Learning Team and others) to maximise multiple benefits for people and nature.

· Ensure robust project governance, risk management and reporting. Oversee Health & Safety and CDM compliance and safe systems of work.

· Act as one of the Duty Senior Managers in the weekend cover rota

· Establish and maintain portfolio measurement indices and ensure timely data entry into Thames21 platforms.

3) People leadership & culture

· Lead, motivate and develop Improving Rivers Managers; set clear objectives, undertake regular 1:1s, appraisals and PDPs.

· Foster an inclusive, collaborative and high‑performance culture.  Ensure staff wellbeing and professional development.

· Plan and chair IR team and managers’ meetings. Maintain effective internal communications and knowledge‑sharing (e.g., SharePoint).

4) Finance, funding & organisational development

· Hold delegated authority for budget setting and expenditure sign‑off within the portfolio.  Ensure accurate financial planning, management and reporting.

· Support development of high‑quality bids and funding agreements (statutory, partnership and philanthropic), including large strategic bids and environmental market opportunities by providing technical expertise, programme design and partner engagement.

· Work with Finance and Fundraising to strengthen controls, update relevant policies/processes, and ensure audit‑ready documentation.

· Contribute to whole‑organisation systems, policies and processes that support effective delivery and financial resilience.

6) External relations & advocacy

· Represent Thames21 with senior stakeholders (e.g., Environment Agency, water companies, GLA/mayoral teams, local authorities, eNGOs, funders, corporate partners and the Rivers Trust).

· Build and steward strategic partnerships and alliances that enable delivery at scale and unlock new funding and policy influence.

· Act as a confident spokesperson for Thames21 when required.

7) Reporting, governance & data

· Ensure timely and accurate portfolio reporting for SMT and Board, including dashboards/infographics and risk register updates.

· Promote effective use of organisational systems and data within the team to improve efficiency and data quality.

Key performance indicators (portfolio‑level)

· Water quality - monitoring & investigation: improved evidence base and prioritisation of pollution sources for resolution.

· Improving water quality - implementation of evidence‑based actions at catchment scale.

· Flows - natural flood management outcomes and strengthened drought/low‑flow resilience.

· River/wetland enhancement, restoration & connectivity - ecological condition and connectivity improved.

· Catchment‑based approach - strengthened hosting and partnership effectiveness.

Other Duties

This job description cannot cover every issue or task that may arise within Thames21. At various times the post-holder will be directed to carry out other reasonable duties in support of other Thames21 activities that are consistent with those in this Job Description. For more information and how to apply 

Additional Information

· The role may require occasional evening and weekend work. Travel across London and the Thames Basin as needed.

· 25 days annual leave (plus public holidays) and office closure between Christmas and New Year; flexitime/TOIL.

· Auto‑enrolment workplace pension with NEST with 8% employer contribution

· Laptop and mobile phone for company use; season‑ticket/bike loan (interest‑free).

· 24/7 access to our employee assistance programme.

Please follow thw application instructions later on in the Charity Job application process 5pm on Friday 2 October 2026. Please mark the reference of your application (HIR0926). 

We appreciate the time you will have taken to apply to this role, and we do appreciate that it is disconcerting when you don’t hear back from a role you have applied for. However, due to the high number of applications we expect to receive,we are unable respond to or give feedback on individual applications, but we do want to be able manage expectations. Therefore, if you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

A little bit about the role

Contract: Full time, fixed term
Salary: £87,632.09 (incl London Office Allowance) plus competitive pension
Location: Hybrid- 2 days per week in London Office

The Culture and Operations Director (COD) ensures Frontline is a high-performing, well-governed charity with a strong culture of freedom and responsibility - a place people can do their best work to achieve Frontline’s mission.

They have strategic responsibility for charity-wide planning to ensure Frontline’s operational functions, effectively support teams to navigate challenges whilst maximising new opportunities. The successful candidate will join Frontline at a pivotal moment and play a key role in driving the next exciting step of our growth.

The COD will ensure high-quality operational support is available to all teams. Working closely with Frontline’s Leadership Group (Heads and Directors), to make sure that the appropriate and timely information, tools and guidance (e.g. HR, IT and finance) are available to managers and teams as needed. This includes working alongside other members of SLT, to:

• Confidently support Frontline through a period of growth and structural change
• Embody the culture of freedom and responsibility, leading by example, and implementing strategies which improve efficiency and quality
• Maintain Executive oversight of Frontline’s finances, working  with Head of Finance and Finance Audit and Risk Committee (FARC) Chair to ensure budgeting and financial decision-making is robust and strategic, to support the ongoing stability of the charity
• Maintain clear communication across teams, ensuring a connected and informed workforce who collaborate effectively. Oversee the success of key events such as annual all-staff away days, monthly gatherings and leadership stocktakes
• Develop strong relationships with key stakeholders including Frontline trustees, partner organisations and the Department for Education (DfE)
• Effectively lead teams to maintain Frontline's strong track-record of meeting legal/regulatory requirements, to minimise risk to the charity

Key Responsibilities

The COD will lead teams delivering on operational priorities in line with freedom and responsibility, to ensure we remain high performing:

Change management:

• Lead the coordination and project-management of an organisation-wide restructure, ensuing the charity is well-positioned to deliver on contractual obligations whilst diversifying to further amplify our impact and that teams are kept well-informed and feed into structural changes
• Support Frontline teams to work  collaboratively and deliver plans to broaden the scope of Frontline's work, extending activity beyond current areas of focus whilst maintaining a strong, shard commitment to Freedom and Responsibility.
• Develop and adhere to tracking and monitoring systems ensuring annual priorities remain on track to achieve Frontline's mission and long-term strategy.

People and Culture:

• Manage the Head of People to identify new and creative ways to further strengthen and embed our culture and grow personal accountability
• Support the Head of People to ensure excellent HR administration, support and use of data (e.g. staff turnover, sickness levels and performance reporting) to inform future planning and decision-making
• Ensure the team design and deliver high-quality staff induction and training which support staff to thrive (e.g. personal leadership, managing effectively and radical candour)
• Maintain awareness of trends and developing technologies to support efficiencies, e.g approaches to recruitment and support to managers.

Finance and Governance:

• Manage Head of Finance and Compliance to ensure sound budget management (£25m annually), financial controls and clear reporting mechanisms are in place
• Work with the Finance team to ensure FARC and the board have the necessary information and confidence in the financial leadership of Frontline.

Charity Quality and Efficiency:

• Manage and support IT and System leads across Frontline, ensuring they have the resources and compliance mechanisms to ensure robust systems are in place.
• Support Contract Governance teams to negotiate and implement significant government contracts, ensuring outcomes are achievable and effective governance and commercially sound contracts are in place.

It is an occupational requirement that applications are open to WOMEN ONLY, as permitted under Schedule 9, Part 1, of the Equality Act 2010. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and actively encourage applications from individuals who are disabled, neurodivergent, or from minoritised ethnic backgrounds.

Juno Women’s Aid are a growing organisation with an exciting pipeline of innovative projects and ambitious plans for the future. This is a unique opportunity to join a forward-thinking team and play a key role in driving new ideas and initiatives from concept to delivery.

Who We're Looking For

We are seeking an experienced operations professional who combines strategic thinking with strong planning, implementation, and project management capabilities. The successful candidate will be an excellent communicator, confident in engaging with a wide range of stakeholders and comfortable with public speaking.

You will thrive in a fast-paced, survivor-focused environment, demonstrating the ability to remain calm under pressure while managing a varied and demanding workload. Strong organisational skills, adaptability, and the ability to balance multiple competing priorities are essential for success in this role.

If you're committed to upholding the highest standards of care and eager to drive impactful change, we invite you to help us build a safer future.

NOTE: We encourage early applications as this vacancy may close once we have appointed a successful candidate.

For further information about the role, please visit our website and download the Job Description which can be found at the bottom of the job vacancy page. 

When completing an application for one of our vacancies, please use clear examples of how your experience, ability, skills/transferable skills, meet the requirements detailed in the Person Specification.

Please include examples from paid or voluntary work/activities or other 'life' experiences. This information will be used as a basis for shortlisting.

Where you don’t meet the requirements of the post currently, please explain how you intend on doing so, for instance via training and commitment to personal development.