Application Information: Office ManagerJob Description

Summary

The Resolution Foundation is an award-winning and independent think-tank focused on improving living standards for those on low to middle incomes. Our reputation for analytical work that results in effective policy solutions places us at the forefront of the UK debate on economic and social policy.

We’re looking for an exceptional candidate with extensive office and diary management experience to join our small close knit team based in a friendly and informal Westminster office at an exciting time for the Foundation as we embark upon the next phase of our development.

Working closely with the Head of Resources and the entire staff team, the post-holder will need energy, enthusiasm and excellent organisational skills to ensure the smooth running of the office and assist in the organisation of high profile events and seminars.

A key part of the role is providing executive assistance to the Executive Chair and Director, so the post-holder will need to be a confident communicator with the ability to liaise effectively with a range of senior stakeholders.

Excellent interpersonal skills and proven experience of providing administrative support and executive assistance in a busy office environment is essential, as is the ability to maintain organisational control over multiple activities and work flexibly in a varied and fast-paced role.

Main duties and responsibilities

1. Providing a primary point of access, enquiry and response (including greeting visitors, dealing with enquiries, screening or directing calls / emails and distributing letters, publications and reports as required)

2. Ensuring the office runs smoothly (including ordering refreshments, subscriptions and supplies and liaising with external partners / contractors regarding reception, post, procurement etc.)

3. Facilitating internal meetings and seminars (including coordinating room bookings and providing reception, IT and administration support as required)

4. Supporting the organisation and delivery of internal and external events and seminars (including managing logistics and attendee lists, liaising with venues and providing on-the-day support)

5. Providing assistance to the Executive Chair and Director as required, including diary management and travel arrangements

6. Providing administrative support to the communications and research teams7. Overseeing day-to-day ICT issues (including trouble-shooting and liaising with staff and external

contractors as required)8. Managing office health and safety (including fire warden and first aid duties, ensuring

compliance with relevant legislation, and training staff as required)9. Coordinating the annual work experience scheme (including internal organisation, liaising with

schools and supervising students)

10. Ensuring HR records are accurate and up to date (including annual leave, sickness absence records) and administering recruitment campaigns and staff inductions

11. Data compilation of quarterly key performance indicators12. Assisting with finance administration as required13. Managing the Foundation’s contact database and mailing lists 14. Any other duties as deemed reasonable by the Head of Resources.

The Foundation is a small team and staff members are expected to support each other and share cross-organisational work in addition to fulfilling individual responsibilities.

Person Specification

This is a varied and fast-paced role and the post-holder will need to be self-motivated and capable of maintaining organisational control over multiple activities.

Essential requirements: Excellent organisation skills and proven experience of providing administrative support and

executive assistance in a busy office environment Excellent interpersonal skills, a professional manner and the ability to communicate

effectively with a variety of senior partners and stakeholders Excellent IT skills (in particular Word, Excel and PowerPoint) Experience of finance and HR administration Good attention to detail and the ability to maintain high standards The ability to work flexibly and juggle competing demands The ability to work effectively in a small team

Desirable requirements: Event organisation experience Database management experience The ability to use initiative and contribute new ideas An interest in economic policy and politics, and a commitment to Resolution Foundation’s

core mission.

Summary of Main Terms and Conditions

Some of the main terms and conditions for this post are summarised below for information. This summary does not form part of any subsequent employment contract.

The Foundation has a defined contribution pension scheme, supports flexible working and offers a range of family-friendly policies.

Job title: Office ManagerAccountable to: Head of Resources Location: London SW1HSalary: £28,000 - £30,000 pa, dependent on experience Contract: Two year fixed termWorking hours: 37.5 hours a week, 9.00am to 5.30pm Mon to Fri, although exact

timings are flexible as due to the nature of the post you will often be expected to work outside these hours.

Annual leave: 30 days annual leave per annum plus bank/public holidays.

Probation period: Appointments are subject to a three month probation period, during which time the contract may be terminated with one week’s notice.

Notice period: One month

Organisational Background

The Resolution Foundation is an award-winning and independent think-tank focused on improving living standards for those on low to middle incomes. Our reputation for analytical work that results in effective policy solutions places us at the forefront of the UK debate on economic and social policy.

Drawing on a core team of experts as well as established external relationships with top national and international economists, academics and policy experts, we continue to inform public debate and influence key decision makers in government, the private sector, and civil society. We hold a regular programme of events, hosting diverse speakers from academia, the voluntary sector and the City and we regularly engage with politicians from across the political spectrum.

The organisation was founded by Clive Cowdery (Chair of Trustees) in 2005 and is primarily funded by the Resolution Trust. The Foundation is led by David Willets (Executive Chair), governed by a Board of Trustees and draws on an external Advisory Board to help steer our work. We are currently a small team of 11 people who support each other and share cross-organisational work, and are based in a friendly and informal central London office. In June 2015, we will move into a permanent new home in Westminster.

Living Standards and Low to Middle Income Households

The Foundation conducts authoritative analytical research on living standards in the UK, working across a wide range of issues such as low pay and the minimum wage, the future of the labour market, social mobility, reforming the tax and benefit system, household debt, childcare and housing policy. We also have a specific focus on the plight of low to middle income households. Typically these are considered to be those of working age relying primarily on earned resources but with incomes below the median in the UK. This excludes the poorest 10 per cent of households and those who receive more than one fifth of their gross household income from means-tested benefits, excluding tax credits. The group is overwhelmingly in work and around half of the households in the group have dependent children. In total, 5.8 million households, including 10.4 million adults and 5.1 million children – roughly a third of the UK working-age population – live on low to middle incomes.

Work Programme

The Foundation’s work programme currently includes the following projects: Wages and Incomes Housing Work and Security Debt and Savings Welfare and Tax Reform Childcare and Families Fiscal Choices Shared Growth

For further information, please visit: http://www.resolutionfoundation.org/us/current-work/

Application Process

Applications for the role of Office Manager should be made using the Foundation’s application form (we do not accept CVs).

Completed applications (and equal opportunities monitoring forms) should be emailed to: info@resolutionfoundation.org or sent by post to: Recruitment, Resolution Foundation, 25 Sackville Street, London W1S 3AX.

The deadline for applications is 23:59 on Wednesday 10th June 2015.

All applications received are sent an acknowledgement of receipt by email within 48 hours.

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted as soon as possible after the closing date.

First round interviews are scheduled for week beginning 15 June 2015. Please indicate your availability and let us know if you have any specific requirements so we can make any necessary reasonable adjustments in advance.

The Resolution Foundation welcomes applications from under-represented communities and groups. We also welcome applicants on secondment and candidates from overseas as well as the UK.

If you would like to speak to someone informally about your application before applying, please contact jayne.desmond@resolutionfoundation.org.