Manager, Executive Support

Status: Asap start, fixed term contract to December 31st 2026.

Reports to: Director of Operations.

Based: London.

Job Purpose: The Manager, Executive Support leads a global Executive Support function, ensuring high quality, consistent administrative and strategic coordination for senior leadership and organisational priorities. This is a fixed-term, project-based role through 31 December 2026, to provide support during a period of transitional leadership change, with a focus on operational efficiency, service levels, and team development. The role provides day to day leadership, resource planning, and cross functional collaboration to support meetings, operations, governance, travel, logistics, and time critical activities. A key focus of the role is driving continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to automate routine processes, streamline workflows, and enhance the efficiency and consistency of executive support across the organisation.

Principal accountabilities:

• Team leadership & line management: Lead, coach, and line manage the global Executive Support team, ensuring high professional standards across administration, coordination, and stakeholder engagement. Conduct performance reviews, set objectives, manage development plans, and oversee pay review processes. Foster a clear sense of purpose, direction, and cohesion across the Executive Support function. Plan, allocate, and manage Executive Support resources to ensure alignment with organisational priorities, leadership needs, and project timelines across global time zones. Monitor performance against agreed timescales, service standards, and quality expectations. Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and training of Executive Support staff, ensuring a consistent global standard of excellence. Lead initiatives to streamline operations by reviewing existing workflows, implementing process improvements, and leveraging tools and technologies to automate routine tasks. Provide oversight of the facilities function and support office management activities when required, specifically to ensure appropriate cover during periods of annual leave taken by the Facilities Manager. Champion the use of digital systems, templates, and automated solutions to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and consistency across global support activities.
• Strategic & cross functional collaboration: Maintain a strategic overview of activities requiring Executive Support across the organisation, working closely with Central Functions, Board technical leaders, Global Office Directors, and other internal teams. Enable and support key activities including operations leadership, strategy development, governance cycles, reporting, board and advisory group engagement, travel and logistics, and visa arrangements. Coordinate with global offices during urgent, crisis-driven, or high stakes organisational situations. Identify cross‑functional opportunities to simplify processes, remove duplication, and embed standard operating procedures that increase organisational agility.
• Global coordination & governance support: Lead the development and delivery of the organisation’s internal year planner, coordinating global holidays, major conferences, governance cycles, and foundation-wide events. Serve as the primary relationship manager for the IFRS travel consultant, ensuring strong communication, effective rollout, and value for money. Manage the liaison between IFRS travel bookers, and support the appointment and performance management of the travel agent. Ensure adherence to travel and expense policies across the global Executive Support team, embedding clear standards and consistent practices.

Skills & attributes:

• Proven experience in people management, team leadership, and staff development.
• Ability to motivate and influence staff at all levels across multiple locations.
• Calm, approachable, and resilient, with strong leadership in times of change or ambiguity.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with confidence working with senior leaders and Board members.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate effectively.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage and prioritise a diverse, and sometimes demanding, workload.
• Strong project management and problem‑solving skills, with a proactive and solutions focused mindset.
• Ability to manage competing demands while supporting and supervising others.
• Demonstrated experience improving operational efficiency, simplifying workflows, and leveraging digital tools or automation to enhance service delivery.

Professional attributes:

• Positive, motivated, and committed to delivering excellent service.
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to perform effectively in fast paced or evolving situations.
• Collaborative and team oriented, while able to work independently when required.
• Professional, discreet, and confident when handling sensitive or confidential matters.

Benefits:

• Rewarding work that serves the public interest.
• Engagement with diverse international experts.
• Inclusive and collaborative teams.
• Intellectually challenging projects.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Numerous areas of specialisation.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.