Executive Assistant x2

Today, 12 children and young people will be diagnosed with cancer. We’ll stop at nothing to make sure they get the right care and support at the right time.  

• £33,318 (FTE)
• 35 hours per week
• Permanent
• Hybrid
• London Office (Hybrid variable)
• Closing date: 27th April 
• WC interview date 28th April

Change lives in a life-changing career

When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer, their whole world can feel like it’s falling apart. Independence is taken and confidence is stolen. Stability no longer exists. The future suddenly feels uncertain.

The impact of cancer on young lives is more than medical. That’s why we exist. Our specialist social workers help children and young people with cancer and their families navigate the emotional and practical impact of cancer. We remove barriers, solve problems and prioritise wellbeing. And we stop at nothing to make sure they get the right care and support at the right time.

We challenge the systems and policies that surround children and young people, we highlight gaps and campaign for change. Because we know what a better future could look like. And we know what we need to do to make that future a reality. We need to push harder, reach further and work smarter. And we need the right people on our team to help us get there. People like you.

About the role

We’re looking for an Executive assistant with excellent organisational skills and a proactive approach to join our CEO Office.

In this role, the successful applicant will provide proactive and efficient administrative support to the Directors of Young Lives vs Cancer. Their responsibilities will include managing complex diaries, coordinating travel and meetings, maintaining documentation systems, and supporting governance and leadership functions. This role is essential in ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the senior leadership team, allowing them to focus on delivering the charity’s mission and strategic priorities.

While this position does not involve direct line management, it does require close collaboration with the CEO office and a wide range of individuals in the organisation, acting as a key liaison between the Directors and other stakeholders. The ideal candidate will be highly organised, discreet, and confident in managing sensitive information. Strong communication skills, technological proficiency, and a proactive, problem-solving mindset are essential.

The wider team is collaborative, mission-driven, and committed to creating an inclusive, equitable environment. Their main aim is to deliver impactful support to children and young people facing cancer, and the administrative team plays a crucial role in enabling this by keeping operations running smoothly behind the scenes.

 This role is subject to a criminal record check. In the event of a successful application a basic criminal record check will be completed

What will I be doing?

No two days are the same at Young Lives vs Cancer. So, summarising your ‘day to day’ isn’t easy. Here are some of the main things you’ll be doing, but you’ll find more details in the job description.

• Manage complex diaries and schedules for Directors, coordinating meetings and ensuring timely communication of changes
• Organise travel arrangements and support logistics for Directors.
• Maintain and manage team documentation, files, and resources to ensure accessibility and organisation.
• Coordinate internal and external meetings, including booking rooms, managing virtual platforms, and preparing documentation.
• Support the Executive Assistant to the CEO with task delegation, project coordination, and communication across leadership.
• Process expense claims, invoices, and credit card returns for Directors in a timely and accurate manner.
• Organise team away days and events, across different Directorates.

What do I need? 

Diverse perspectives and unique skillsets are at the heart of Young Lives vs Cancer. If you're passionate about making a positive impact and eager to learn, we encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet the criteria and person specification fully. Your potential is what matters most to us, and we’re committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment to help you develop.

The key skills we’re looking for in this role are:

• Proven experience as a PA, Team Assistant, or similar administrative role preferred.
• Used to operating with high levels of professional integrity with trusted ability to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive organisational information
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and busy diaries
• Confident using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and virtual meeting platforms like Microsoft Teams
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for working with senior staff and stakeholders
• High attention to detail when preparing documents and tracking tasks.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with professionalism.
• A team player who is flexible and can adapt to changing needs.

What will I gain?

For people to reach their full potential, they need the right environment. As a member of Team Young Lives, you’ll be made to feel supported, valued and appreciated. Here’s how we do it:

• Flexible working: we’re open to working hours outside of 9 - 5 and we can talk through your flexibility requirements at interview stage
• Wellbeing days: four days a year to do what works for you – from catching up on training to going for a walk
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Great family/caring leave entitlements
• Enhanced pension
• Access to our employee savings scheme

To find out more about our benefits package, have a look on our website.

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

At Young Lives vs Cancer, we recognise that opportunities for too many people remain a condition of their sex, ethnicity, class, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation – or a combination. This has never been acceptable to us as an organisation. We don’t just accept difference, we value it, celebrate it, nurture it and we thrive because of it.

We’re on a journey to be reflective of the diverse children, young people and families we support. We know we aren’t there yet, and we’re passionately committed to taking actions and making changes to be a truly diverse, inclusive and equitable organisation. This includes taking anti-oppressive action and removing barriers in our recruitment practices. We particularly welcome applications from members of minoritised communities. Our Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging strategy will tell you more.

We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. CVs can be uploaded, but we won't be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to fully complete the work history sections of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly and objectively.

Accessibility

We’re committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always aim to be as accommodating as possible.  Please let us know in your application form of any adjustments or access requirements we could make to help you with the application process and interview.