Academic and Membership Assistant

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job title: Academic and Membership Assistant

Contract: Part time, equivalent to 4 days/20 hrs per week.

Flexibility regarding working pattern, could be worked across 4-5 week days.

Contract: Permanent. 

Salary:  £23,198 pro rata (£29,000 full time equivalent)

Manager: Director of Psychotherapy. The role is assisting both Directors of Psychotherapy and Counselling.

Location: Working hybrid with a combination of required presence at the centre in London and remote working. To be agreed with the Directors.

ABOUT THE ORGANISATION

We are the Gestalt Centre, an established therapy not-for-profit organisation, supporting the mental and psychological well-being of individuals, groups and organisations. We are a dynamic charity that runs, accommodates and supports a number of counselling, psychotherapy, personal and professional development courses and a range of therapeutic practices that enhance mental and psychological wellbeing.

Gestalt is a life-changing approach to life, counselling and psychotherapy. It enables people to develop meaningful relationships, navigate change and lead fulfilling lives by creatively utilising their own resources, skills and strengths.

Our vision is a world were meaningful and fulfilling relationships lead to wellbeing and positive change in people’s lives

Our Values In Practice

Diversity, equality, inclusion and anti-discrimination: We value equity and inclusion and welcome diversity and difference in backgrounds, identities, cultures and voices. We also commit to anti-discriminatory action and encourage personal and collective awareness, reflection and learning. It is integral to who we are and how we work and study together. 

Kindness and respect for each other and the space we cohabit. Our relationship with people who work, learn and access therapy at the centre starts from a place of respect and kindness. This way we create a space where we can show up, work and learn authentically and meaningfully. Feel seen, heard and included.  

Collaboration and mutuality: We work and study together, collaboratively and with respect and appreciation for each other. Every person matters and so does the collective.

Community, awareness and personal responsibility: We are a community of staff, students, practitioners and clients; working, studying and accessing therapy at the centre. Individually and collectively, we’re responsible for our presence and behaviour. Also responsible for our community and the space we inhabit.

ABOUT THE JOB

Job Purpose 

We’re looking for an exemplary administrative and people-oriented person who will be administratively supporting the two Faculty Leads: the Director of Psychotherapy and the Director of Counselling. An important role in the organisation with responsibilities towards the Leadership Team.

An important member of the office team, working in a welcoming and supportive environment with opportunities to learn and grow on the job. 

Main areas of work and responsibility

• Academic and Personal Administration Support to the Faculty Directors of Psychotherapy and Counselling
• Coordinate and support projects and workstreams the Directors Lead on: including overseeing and managing the Counselling and Psychotherapy programmes and faculties, quality assurance and reporting to accrediting bodies and Gestalt Centre membership and accreditation.
• Provide administrative support and coordination of the Gestalt Centre membership and membership cycles.  Including  UKCP reaccreditation processes: coordinate membership renewals and reaccreditation processes from beginning to end, liaise with members, maintain systems and update the membership Directory. In association with the Director of Psychotherapy and the Director of Counselling
• This role resides in the wider course\academic admin team and as/when directed is expected to support/liaise with the admissions and registration team.
• Organise, co-ordinate and provide administrative support for meetings with faculty, Gestalt Centre colleagues, UKCP, BACP, the university and exam Boards, and other external meetings as required in relation to the academic, membership or regulatory functions of GC.  In association with the Director of Psychotherapy and the Director of Counselling
• Prepare meetings set up, information and any required papers in advance. Organise dates, taking and sending out minutes and coordinate follow-up actions ensuring progress and completion.    
• Prepare, format, edit and update communications, presentations and reports for internal and external audiences to a high standard – including for meetings with the Faculties, the Executive, UKCP, BACP or the university.
• Work closely with both Directors on the production and content of the various Professional Training Programme Handbooks, including managing version control and ensuring accurate information within and to time.
• Provide a professional first and secondary point of contact and as and when required liaise with the Directors to respond to emails or phone calls and other communications, including the preparation of acknowledgement responses and follow-on actions.
• Carry out responsibilities with due regard to the Gestalt Centre policies and procedures
• Wider office team support such as reception/admin cover or support with events –  as and when occasionally required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

You will be friendly, approachable, and collaborative with a positive flexible ‘can do’ attitude. We are a small, dynamic and busy organisation and as you’ll be part of the Gestalt Centre family, you’ll need to be able to work well with the rest of the team and independently, on your own initiative as and when needed. You’ll extend your friendly manner to our students and clients as excellent customer service would be important to you. You’d also have a good eye for detail and be good with numbers as you’d also be working with databases and finance.

The role is diverse and flexible with opportunities to learn and acquire new skills in a supportive environment.

Key Competencies and qualities

• Educated to degree level or equivalent with good English and Maths or equivalent
• Excellent organisation and planning skills and experience including balance competing demands; prioritise effectively; and effective ability to forward plan and work to tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including conveying information clearly and adjusting approach, language and action to suit varying situations. Including some familiarity with communication utilising EDI considerations in relation to adult students and teaching staff.
• Confident, calm, diplomatic and confidential, with a mature, proactive, problem-solving and flexible approach to working in a dynamic busy setting.
• Excellent attention to detail and good with working with numbers and basic statistical data.
• Good working knowledge and experience of databases and online systems administration, including information and files management.
• Experience and able to work well with senior professionals and in a positive professional matter.
• Able to plan and organise own work effectively, managing interruptions and achieving good work performance in a busy setting.
• Reliable and collaborative approach to working with kindness and respect.
• Able to work with confidentiality protocols and expectations, and seeking guidance when needed, and in line with the Gestalt Centre policies and practice.
• Able to work effectively with others and on own initiative
• Experience working well with data protection, confidentiality, and safeguarding; and some understanding of applying ethical considerations
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft 365 and all Office applications; SharePoint and MS teams
• Commitment to Equal Opportunities and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, across the work of the role.
• Understanding and open minded about mental health, emotional and psychological wellbeing.
• Preferably experience working within an educational, training or therapy training setting
• Able to start as soon as possible.