Workshop assistant jobs in Edinburgh
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Join a small global team where you'll organise and oversee our UK-based coaching and leadership programmes for education and non-profit leaders. From responding to new enquiries, launching programmes and setting up online learning journeys, to building trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, you'll need to be hands-on and able to prioritise across multiple workstreams. In return, you'll get genuine variety and ownership of your work, a friendly and supportive team, and opportunities to work with new digital tools and platforms and help us pioneer AI-powered ways of working from the ground up.
About BTS Spark
BTS Spark is the social impact and education practice of BTS, a global professional services firm which specialises in supporting organisations to develop their leaders and build the people capabilities to deliver effectively on their strategies. Our mission at BTS Spark is bring that expertise to help education and non-profit leaders do their best work, building stronger organisations and a better world.
We provide expert 1:1 leadership coaching, powerful group experiences and bespoke team and organisational development programmes, all designed to enable profound and highly impactful learning. To date we have worked primarily with schools, colleges and multi-academy trusts, but we are now actively seeking to grow our work within higher education and the non-profit sector. Whilst most of the work delivered by our UK hub is with UK-based organisations, we also deliver programmes elsewhere in Europe and manage several international programmes.
Our UK core team is small — just our Director and our Programme Manager — supported by wider BTS colleagues, our global BTS Spark team and a network of 30+ UK-based coaches and facilitators.
Job Description
Working closely with our UK Director, but with a significant degree of independence, you'll support almost every part of our UK operations:
- Plan and enable smooth programme delivery — allocating coaches and facilitators, scheduling group sessions, and managing logistics for face-to-face events
- Set up and launch coaching and leadership programmes on our digital platforms, and use Claude and other AI tools to speed up routine tasks like data entry, reporting and client updates
- Act as a trusted first point of contact for clients, managing relationships, delivering briefings and platform demos, and preparing data-led impact reports
- Handle new enquiries, follow through with quotations and information, and support business development and proposal writing with the Director
- Help grow our profile — co-ordinating social media content (particularly LinkedIn), updating our website, building landing pages, and supporting our alumni and marketing campaigns
- Forecast income, keep our financial systems up to date, and manage letters of engagement, purchase orders and invoicing requests.
- Provide occasional live support for virtual workshops, and executive assistant support to the Director
The balance of your week will shift through the year, with programme launches taking priority at times and more space for development work during school holidays. A key priority is to make full use of our AI capability (especially Claude) to speed up our processes and free up more time for the relationship-building and engagement work that matters most. This is something we’ll support you to build into your working practice from day one.
We're looking for candidates with the following attributes:
Essential:
- A strong, sustained track record in programme planning and project/operations management
- Confidence managing relationships with senior education and non-profit leaders, with excellent, professional customer service skills
- Excellent written communication and proof-reading skills, with sharp attention to detail
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise across multiple workstreams
- A proactive, can-do attitude and comfort working independently
- Strong financial literacy and experience with CRM/database systems (e.g. Salesforce, Hubspot)
- Enthusiasm for digital tools and AI assistants, and intermediate Microsoft Office skills
- Flexibility for occasional calls outside business hours with North America and Australia-based colleagues
Desirable:
- Experience working in or closely with the education sector
- University graduate-level education
Benefits
- 25 days' annual leave, plus bank holidays and a Christmas–New Year office closure
- 5% matched pension and life insurance
- Private medical insurance
- Free access to a wellness coach and healthcare app (video GP appointments, mental health and nutritional consultations)
- Cycle to work scheme
See attached job description for further details.
Application Process
Please apply with an up-to-date CV and a supporting statement (max. 2 sides) showing how you meet the knowledge, skills and experience above. Applications without a supporting statement will not be considered.
We review applications on a rolling basis, so please apply as soon as you can. The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Tuesday 1st September.
Initial interviews for shortlisted candidates will be held on a rolling basis until 4th September.
Final interviews will be held in London at the BTS Offices on 10th and 11th September.
Note that applications without a covering letter will not be considered.
Our mission is to help education, public sector and non-profit leaders do their best work, building stronger organisations and a better world.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Hours: Full Time (35 hours per week)
Key Relationships: Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, internal leadership, wider NHS Charities Together staff, Trustees, External Stakeholders
Location: Remote Working, with national travel requirements for meetings, events and collaboration.
Overall Purpose
The Business Support Administrator will play a key role in supporting the smooth running of the organisation including CEO’s Office and the charity’s governance functions. This role will provide high-quality administrative support across a range of activities, ensuring that the organisation’s leadership and governance processes operate efficiently and effectively.
The Business Support Administrator will be part of a small business support team who will work flexibly and collaboratively to meet the needs of the organisation.
Overall Objectives
Provide highly organised, detail-oriented support to functions and colleagues. This involves working with individuals, trustees, and external stakeholders, and helping to uphold the professionalism and credibility of the organisation.
- Deliver excellent administrative support.
- Support governance processes, to ensure the preparation of papers and accurate record-keeping.
- Assist in the coordination of meetings, events, and stakeholder engagement.
- Support communication and the flow of information across teams, trustees, and external partners.
- Liaise with external stakeholders, including members on administrative and grant related matters
Key Responsibilities
The main duties and responsibilities of the role holder are as outlined below:
Administrative Support
- Provide day-to-day administrative support across the organisation, including managing correspondence, filing systems, and scheduling.
- Support travel and meeting arrangements for senior leadership, trustees, and external stakeholders where required.
- Process expenses, invoices, POs and other routine financial administration.
- Assist with drafting documents, correspondence, and reports.
- Maintain accurate databases, registers, and records.
Cross-Directorate Administrative Support
- Provide flexible administrative support to other teams and departments across the organisation
- Assist with organisation-wide projects, initiatives, and events.
- Support internal communications by helping to collate, prepare, and distribute information across teams.
- Contribute to maintaining a collaborative and efficient office environment by responding to requests for assistance from colleagues.
- Update and maintain accurate records on the organisation’s database and CRM systems, ensuring member and stakeholder information is current, logging key interactions, meetings and decisions
- Work with colleagues across teams to ensure consistent and effective use of the CRM system
Governance Support
- Ensure papers are prepared in line with requirements for Board and Committee meetings
- Assist in preparing and circulating papers for Board and Committee meetings.
- Support the collation of briefing packs, reports, and other governance documentation.
- Ensure governance records and documentation are stored securely and are easily accessible.
Programme Support
- Provide logistical support for programme-related events, workshops, and stakeholder sessions.
- Provide administrative support to programmes teams, including scheduling meetings, coordinating diaries, and booking travel or venues.
- Support the tracking of grant applications, grant decisions and grant awards, liaising with the projects team to ensure the effective flow of information.
- Monitor enquiry inboxes within programme team, including around incoming grants queries and ensure efficient tracking to resolution
- Assist with the preparation and circulation of programme documentation, reports, and presentations, including for grant review panels
- Support the monitoring of programme timelines, deliverables, and action points by maintaining trackers and follow-up lists.
- Liaise with members and grant holders on administrative or finance issues
- Assist in the collection, preparation and logging grant or project reports
- Liaise with finance to record project finances accurately
Meeting and Event Coordination
- Support the scheduling, logistics, and administration of Board, Committee, Grants Panels, Leadership Team meetings and team away days
- Assist with minute-taking and tracking action points where required.
- Help organise venues, catering, and accommodation for meetings and events.
- Provide support for wider organisational events and staff meetings as appropriate.
- Arrange travel and accommodation bookings for trustees, senior staff, and external guests where required, ensuring value for money and compliance with organisational policies.
Communication and Stakeholder Liaison
- Act as a professional first point of contact for routine enquiries to the leadership.
- Support effective communication between teams, trustees, senior leadership, staff, and external partners.
- Coordinate and share information across teams in a timely and accurate manner.
Other duties
- Visibly live NHS Charities Togethers values, including our commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Carrying out the duties of post in accordance with NHS Charities Togethers policies and procedures on Health and Safety and take responsibility for ensuring personal health and safety.
- Working flexibly, prioritising workload, and working effectively as part of a team. Demonstrating an ability to work calmly and effectively when under pressure of tight deadlines, to deliver work on time and to a high standard.
- Adhere to relevant legislation, best practice, policies, and processes including, but not limited to charity law, the fundraising regulator, GDPR and professional codes and standards.
- This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of duties. The need for flexibility is required, and the post holder is expected to carry out any other related duties that are within the employee’s skills and abilities whenever reasonably instructed.
How to Apply
CV and a covering letter outlining how you meet the job description and person specification, are to be uploaded via our external recruitment Platform Hireful. The supporting statement should be no more than 2 sides of A4.
The closing date for applications is 28th August 2026
1st interview: Friday, 4th September 2026
2nd interview: Thursday, 10th September 2026
In line with GDPR, we ask that you do NOT send us any information that can identify children or any of your Sensitive Personal Data (racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, data concerning health or sex life and sexual orientation, genetic and / or biometric data) in your CV and application documentation. Following this notice, any inclusion of your Sensitive Personal Data in your CV/application documentation will be understood by us as your express consent to process this information going forward. Please also remember to not mention anyone’s information or details (e.g. referees) who have not previously agreed to their inclusion.
Who we are
IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) is a national charity working to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the educational support they are legally entitled to. Since we were formed in 1983, we have helped to improve the education experience of thousands of children and young people across England. We do this by providing free and independent legal advice and casework support for families, undertaking policy work and delivering training on the SEND legal framework.
What you’ll do
Reports to: Chief Executive
Location: Home-based or Hybrid (with frequent travel for events and meeting with parliamentarians and other stakeholders)
We are seeking a Policy Manager to lead IPSEA's policy and influencing work to achieve positive change for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families. Working closely with the Chief Executive, Head of Legal and Training, trustees and colleagues across the organisation, you will set strategic policy priorities and develop evidence-based influencing plans that support IPSEA's mission and long-term objectives.
Drawing on insights from our advice and tribunal services, legal expertise and the experiences of families, you will identify systemic issues within the SEND system and develop policy solutions that improve children and young people's access to the support and education to which they are entitled. You will ensure that IPSEA's policy positions are credible, legally robust and informed by the lived experiences of those we support.
You will lead IPSEA's engagement with government, Parliament and other key decision-makers, identifying opportunities to influence legislation, policy and practice at both national and local level. This includes overseeing responses to consultations, parliamentary inquiries and calls for evidence, as well as preparing briefings and strategic advice to support senior-level engagement and advocacy.
Working collaboratively with colleagues across legal, communications, fundraising and training teams, you will ensure IPSEA's policy, campaigning and public affairs activities are aligned and maximise the organisation's impact. You will also monitor developments across the political, legal and policy landscape, helping IPSEA respond proactively to emerging opportunities and challenges affecting the rights of children and young people with SEND.
This role offers the opportunity to make a real difference as part of a small, friendly, and dedicated team. If you are passionate about helping children and young people with SEND and have the skills and experience needed, we would love to hear from you.
Who are we looking for?
You will have significant experience in a senior policy and campaigning/public affairs role and have good knowledge of local and national government structure including the legislative process.
You the ability to build and maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders including MPs, civil servants, campaigners and parents. You exhibit tact and diplomacy and can be impactful with people of varying levels and experience.
Your research and critical thinking skills enable you to analyse policy and data to produce relevant reports and position papers. You have experience of drafting organisation responses to government consultations and parliamentary calls for evidence.
IPSEA should also reflect the communities we support. We would particularly like to hear from candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people, under-served communities and disabled people, as well as those with lived experience of the SEND system, either as a child or as a parent/carer.
What we can offer you
- 5% employer pension contributions
- Healthcare cash plan
- Flexible working arrangements
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus an additional day off for your birthday (pro-rata if part-time).
To apply
Visit our website to download a recruitment pack and application form.
Deadline for applications: 9am on 7 September 2026.
First-round interviews: on 15 September 2026 in our offices in Takeley, Essex, with second-round interviews (online) on 18 September 2026.
NO AGENCIES PLEASE.
We help children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) get the education they are entitled to by law


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.