Crafts Council Executive Assistant and Company Secretary

Working closely with the Executive Director, senior team members and trustees, we are looking for an Executive Assistant and Company Secretary who has knowledge and experience of working with senior management and trustees in the arts and/or charitable sector to support the effective governance and leadership of the organisation.

You will be highly organised, diplomatic, and proactive with good attention to detail.

Contract and Hours
Permanent, full or part-time, 1.0 (36.25 hours / 5 days) or 0.8 ( 29 hours / 4 days) per week, 9.15-5.30pm per day, including lunch break. Minimum two days per week are to be worked at Crafts Council office, with requirement to attend all relevant Board and committee meetings and key staff events.

Crafts Council aims to support flexible working and part time arrangements where it is appropriate for the role.

Salary
£28,000 to £34,000 gross per annum based on full-time working, dependent upon experience.

Location
Crafts Council Office and Gallery is based in Islington, London, with some hybrid / home working.

Role to Commence
As soon as possible from May 2025 onwards.

Reporting to
Managed by the Executive Director and supporting the Senior Management Team and Trustees.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as Company Secretary for board and committee meetings - Organise meetings, planning up to a year in advance and working with trustees to ensure availability
• Prepare papers, ensure that they are issued in a timely manner, draft minutes, keep log of follow up actions
• Support the Executive Director with email and correspondence
• Drafting responses and acting as a first responder, provide personal assistant duties and leadership administration, such as arranging internal and external meetings, travel itineraries and diary management
• Meeting preparation: Prepare agendas, gather necessary materials, and follow up on action items from meetings
• Support the Executive Director in drafting briefing documents, reviewing policy documents and providing succinct summaries
• Project support: Assist with project management tasks, including research, data compilation, and presentation preparation
• Make use of time-saving tools (AI) and ensure that Executive Office is run efficiently and productively
• Support Craft Council Executive team with administration duties, including diary management, presentation design, meeting and travel co-ordination and follow up, processing invoices and expenses
• Support with event management where required, e.g. board and staff away days
• Support the recruitment and induction of new trustees, ensuring that induction packs are up to date and accurate
• Provide administrative support to the Chairs & trustees as required
• Reconcile financial expenditure, such as credit cards, raise purchase orders and code invoices as required
• Be an ambassador for the Crafts Council and represent it at appropriate events
• Be discrete, maintaining confidentiality and being comfortable dealing with a wide range of people

Note: Board related meetings include Trustee meetings (4 per year), Finance Audit & Risk meetings ( 4 - 6 per year), Nominations and Remuneration Committee meetings (x 1 per year) and other Committees and Panels (as required).

General

The postholder will:

•      Have a strong commitment to accessibility and social justice, ensuring that we are adhering to best practice

•      Assist in developing and maintaining effective teamwork across Crafts Council

•      Be flexible within the broad remit of the post

•      Continuously seek ways to improve personal, team and business performance

•      Attend and participate in Crafts Council performance, development, and training programmes

•      Ensure that you comply with all Health and Safety regulations and safe working practice as required by current legislation and the Company’s Health and Safety and Safeguarding policies and practices

•      Adhere to Crafts Council policies, procedures and code of conduct including in relation to GDPR

•      Participate as an active and responsible member of the management team and contribute to the development of Crafts Council policies, strategies, business and operational plans

•      Understand the importance of equality and inclusion in the workplace

•      Always promote the highest level of customer experience

•      Undertake any other duty which may be reasonably allocated