RAF Association – Professional Executive Assistant to Group CEO

Confederation of Service Charities; Leicester; Hybrid; GBP 35,004 - 36,845; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 42 days annual leave

Life insurance

Health cash back plan

Refer a Friend Bonus

Cycle to work scheme

Job summary

A national charitable organization based in Leicester seeks a skilled Executive Assistant to the Group CEO. This role provides high-level administrative support, coordinating schedules, managing communications, and organising events. The ideal candidate will have significant experience supporting C-Suite executives and possess strong organisational skills. Responsibilities include overseeing logistics for meetings and conferences, handling communications, and mentoring junior staff. This position offers a hybrid work environment and competitive salary.

Qualifications

• Experience of supporting a C-Suite Executive.
• Ability to coordinate multiple tasks under tight deadlines.
• Experience in arranging domestic and international travel.

Responsibilities

• Maintain engagement schedule for the Group CEO.
• Manage the appointment schedule with thoughtful planning.
• Organise the annual conference and manage VIP attendance.

Skills

Organisational skills

Diplomacy

Flexibility

Communication

Networker

Education

Level 3 Award in Professional PA and Administration skills

Job description

RAF Association – Professional Executive Assistant to Group CEO

£35004 – £36845 37.5 hours per week

Leicester based LE3 1UT with hybrid working

Benefits include:

• Up to 42 days annual leave (pro rata), life insurance and sick pay
• Enrolment in health cash back plan to cover everyday healthcare needs
• Refer a Friend Bonus
• Cycle to work scheme / close to park and ride at Leicester Forest East
• Subsidised short breaks at selected RAFA Accommodation

About us

The RAF (Royal Air Forces) Association has a clear objective: to help sustain a resilient and empowered RAF community. Through our sector-leading welfare and wellbeing services, we offer a wide range of support to serving personnel, veterans and their families. With thousands of members and supporters across the UK and further afield, plus hundreds of dedicated employees and volunteers, we have the network and experience needed for a personal one-to-one approach. We work together to make sure no one is ever left behind.

About the role

The Executive Assistant plays a vital role in ensuring the effectiveness of the Association’s leadership, providing high-level administrative, organisational and strategic support. The role is a trusted assistant to the senior leadership of the Association, acting as the first point of contact both internally and externally for the Group CEO, the Chair of Council (the Board of Trustees) and the President of the Association. Responsible for providing a professional, responsive, efficient and highly confidential executive support service, the role of Executive Assistant is complex and demanding, requiring great skill and dexterity at many levels: managing relationships, information and communication. Primary responsibilities include:

• Maintaining a proactive annual engagement schedule for the Group CEO and, on occasion, the Senior Management Team, by arranging regular employee briefings, team away days, branch visits and tours of various locations across the group structure.
• Maintaining a strategic overview of the appointment schedule through thoughtful planning and arrangement of meetings, itineraries, accommodation and travel.
• Playing a central role in the team organising our annual conference, with specific responsibilities for managing VIP attendance, and ensuring staff and trustees hosting VIP guests are fully briefed.
• Developing and administering the Association’s Honours and Awards policy and procedures, supporting the Honours and Awards Committee in its consideration of applications.
• Monitoring, screening, responding to and distributing incoming communications.
• Providing administrative and operational support across the Group as required.
• Obtaining best value in regular arrangements for meetings, travel and accommodation for the President, Chair, Group CEO and Council meetings. Responsible for authorising expenditure up to £2,000.
• Line managing, and supporting the training and development of the Team PA.

About you

This is a prestigious role within the Association and is well suited to a professional PA with a qualification such as a Level 3 Award in Professional PA and Administration skills or equivalent. We need you to have experience of supporting a C-Suite Executive and be adept at coordinating multiple tasks in tandem and to tight deadlines (for example coordinating board meetings, scheduling, logistics, minuting and papers). As a confident networker, you will demonstrate diplomacy, persuasiveness and flexibility and be comfortable to delegate effectively and deal with difficult situations sensitively. Previous experience in arranging domestic and international travel, visas and accommodation is essential for success in this role along with the ability to be a forward thinker able to anticipate and resolve problems. You will be line managing and developing our Team PA to support the wider Association and Subsidiary work.

It is highly recommended that you read the full role profile and person specification which is available to download on our website www.rafa.org.uk

Want to join us?

You may find it helpful to have a look at our website and social media to find out more about who we are and what we do. To make your application really stand out, please take some time to include a cover letter to tell us how your skills and experience align with our role profile and person specification. Relevant supporting cover letters lead to a better chance of shortlisting for interview.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK as we are unable to enter into sponsorship agreements

The RAF Association is a Disability Confident employer. Please let us know if you require any assistance with your application.