Governance Assistant

Here at Joseph Rowntree Foundation, we are looking for a Governance Assistant to join our Chief Executive’s Office. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in supporting the smooth running and continuous improvement of the organisation’s governance.

Working as part of the Governance team, you will provide high-quality administrative support across the Group’s governance cycle, helping to enable effective decision-making and strong governance practice. You will coordinate Trustee, Board and committee meetings, maintain the annual governance calendar, manage meeting logistics, arrange travel and accommodation, support workshops and events, and provide confidential support to Trustees and senior colleagues. You will also monitor the Governance inbox, maintain the governance decisions database and ensure actions and key issues are followed up promptly.

Alongside governance responsibilities, you will contribute to the effective running of the Chief Executive’s Office by supporting the Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive with meetings and events, providing diary management for the Associate Director, and carrying out a range of day-to-day administrative tasks.

The role offers the opportunity to improve administrative systems and processes, including maintaining relevant intranet and SharePoint pages, while contributing to new projects and continuous improvements across the Chief Executive’s Office.

We are seeking an organised, proactive and highly professional individual with excellent verbal and written communication skills. The successful candidate will demonstrate the highest standards of honesty, integrity and discretion, with the ability to manage sensitive and confidential information appropriately.

You will be a collaborative team player who builds and maintains positive, productive working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels, and you will bring a proactive approach, a strong commitment to teamwork, and the ability to remain calm under pressure while maintaining a positive, can-do attitude. Confident working independently, you will use your initiative to make sound decisions and provide high-quality administrative support within a busy, high-profile environment.

You will be proficient in the use of IT systems, with advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, together with experience of using SharePoint. You will also have proven experience of managing complex electronic diaries and leading improvements of organisational systems and process.

At JRF we’re at our best when we’re continually building on trust, showing we care and making a difference - and hope others will do the same. So, for those roles which allow it, we’re developing a more blended approach to how and where you work. This means you can expect to work flexibly between the office and home (with an expectation of two days a week in your home office).