Programme Coordinator

Join our wonderful team and support our regional chefs and volunteers to deliver over 21,000 hours of food education a year to children around the country.

Founded in 1990, the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts’ Adopt a School Trust (AAS) is a national charity delivering food education in schools. The Adopt a School team, members of The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, and those in the hospitality industry trained by us, work with a local school with the aim of passing on their knowledge and expertise. Our vision is that every child learns about food in a holistic sense and has the confidence to eat well, be healthy and happy. Our programme helps children to develop healthy eating habits and encourages an enthusiasm and interest in food and cooking, as well as giving an insight into the hospitality industry.

JOB DESCRIPTION

This job description is intended as an outline indicator of general areas of activity and can be amended in conjunction with the post holder in the light of changing organisational needs.

Job Purpose

To provide programme and events support.

Job Summary

1. Programme coordination
2. Communications
3. Event Coordination
4. Other administrative duties

Key Responsibilities:

1.     Programme Coordination

• Respond to enquiries about the programme and liaise with schools and chefs to coordinate sessions.
• Regularly manage and update databases, registration forms, school surveys and safeguarding documents and provide weekly updates to the Programme Manager.
• Support the Adopt a School chef team and volunteer chefs with administrative tasks e.g. ordering, preparing, and posting out resources for sessions.
• Support the AAS chef team with regular mail-outs to new schools.
• Compile data and summaries for AAS annual evaluation and transpose for reports such as grant evaluations and AGM impact report
• Regularly update resource pack and children’s pack to reflect AAS developments
• Arrange and co-ordinate regular training sessions, with AAS executive head chef for volunteer chefs.

2.     Communications

• Create and upload content, including news and events, for AAS social media platforms, newsletter and website.
• Send regular, eye-catching, and effective mail-outs using MailChimp (and mail-merge when necessary) for prize pleas, calls for donations, and invitations to fundraising events.
• Provide engaging content for press releases.

3.     Event Coordination

• Support with all aspects of fundraising event planning from coordinating chefs and menus, sourcing ingredients, selling tickets etc.
• Send targeted emails to supporters to encourage bookings for fundraising events and act as point of contact for event booking enquiries.
• Design event flyers, auction booklet and menus for dinners.
• Assist with prize pleas for auction and table raffle prizes.
• Print and organise all necessary resources for events (e.g. raffle tickets, place cards)
• Write thank you letters following events to sponsors, headline chefs, etc.
• Attend the key AAS fundraising events to support with their smooth-running.

4.     Other administrative duties

• Compile and provide the Adopt a School bookkeeper with a weekly spreadsheet detailing all invoices to be generated, including all necessary information for invoice creation.
• Manage all aspects of meetings, including: sending out meeting invitations; managing attendee lists and follow-ups; preparing and circulating agendas; taking minutes during meetings; distributing minutes to all relevant participants.
• Maintain and organise online filing systems.
• Perform other administrative duties that contribute to the smooth running of both virtual and in-person office operations.
• Any other reasonable tasks, as directed by the Adopt a School team and RACA Chief Executive

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Requirements

• Strong administrative and organisational abilities with a keen attention to detail
• Excellent time management and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels
• ·Experience managing social media platforms and producing engaging content
• Excellent IT skills, including proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Docs

Desirable Attributes

• Experience creating surveys using SurveyMonkey, as well as analysing and presenting survey data
• Strong interest and/or experience in event organisation and promotion
• Experience working in the education sector

Attitudes

• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively as part of a small team
• ·Proactive and flexible self-starter with a strong desire to learn
• Ability to work flexible hours, including attending occasional evening meetings/events
• Willingness to undergo a DBS check
• Passionate about providing high-quality food education to children