Job Description

Step into the Mission

Do you want to be at the centre of national change for society's most vulnerable children? To be the trusted right hand to a sector leader, making the impossible possible, and learning how influence, advocacy and policy really work?

This is not a routine PA role. It's being at the forefront of change. You'll be the CEO's gatekeeper, organiser, fixer and confidant--keeping the diary tight, the meetings sharp, and the network strong. But you'll also be in the room where decisions are shaped, travelling with the CEO, building relationships with parliamentarians, journalists, and care leaders, and seeing up close how system change is made.

If you're ambitious--whether you see yourself as a future project manager, policy advocate, or changemaker--this is a rare opportunity to combine proximity to power with purpose.

About The Children's Homes Association

At The Children's Homes Association (CHA), we support organisations across England and Wales to deliver exemplary residential childcare. We are a small team with a big voice, working to influence policy, strengthen care providers, and ultimately improve outcomes for some of the most vulnerable children in society.

Learn more about our work: the-cha.org.uk
Watch us in action: youtube.com/@CHAORGUK

About the Role

You'll work closely with the CEO to manage a constantly evolving workload and priorities--from stakeholder meetings and public speaking engagements to sector events, research partnerships and advocacy campaigns.

You won't just manage a diary--you'll manage the world around the CEO. That means being a gatekeeper, a connector, and sometimes the friendly face representing CHA in high-stakes conversations. You'll often be alongside the CEO at events, meetings with ministers, journalists, and sector leaders, making sure he's always in the right place, with the right people, at the right time.

This role is designed for someone who thrives on pace and variety. You'll gain an unparalleled view of how social change happens from the inside--and the skills to be a changemaker yourself.

Key Responsibilities

Diary and inbox management:

Keep the CEO focused on what matters most by managing a complex calendar, prioritising demands, and filtering correspondence. Build and maintain the relationships that make the diary work--balancing diplomacy, influence, and access.

Travel and logistics:

Coordinate frequent travel arrangements across the UK, sometimes at short notice. Accompany the CEO when required, ensuring smooth events, briefings and meetings.

Project and event support:

Assist in planning and delivering CHA's major annual events (AGM, conference, regional meetings), including schedules, logistics and stakeholder liaison.

Communication and relationship management:

Act as first point of contact for key stakeholders. Communicate confidently on behalf of the CEO and represent CHA with professionalism.

Briefings and documents:

Draft agendas, notes, presentations and briefings that prepare the CEO to lead with clarity and impact.

Information management:

Support the effective use of digital tools, CRM systems, and collaborative platforms. Help the team stay at the cutting edge of digital transformation, including new platforms and AI tools.

How You'll Excel in the Role

Think like a project manager: structuring chaos, spotting risks, and keeping the CEO focused on what matters most. Bring order and calm to complex, fast-moving schedules. Anticipate needs and stay one step ahead. Communicate with clarity--whether drafting an email, a briefing, or speaking directly with sector leaders. Use your digital skills to bring efficiency and innovation to day-to-day tasks. Bring curiosity about policy, advocacy, and system change--you don't need to be a policy wonk yet, but you'll be learning fast. Contribute to team success with flexibility, initiative and collaboration.

About Our CEO

You'll be supporting Dr Mark Kerr, a leading figure in residential childcare with a deeply personal and professional connection to the sector. Having grown up in a children's home himself, Mark brings decades of experience as a practitioner, researcher and advocate.

His role is dynamic, fast-paced and high-profile--often juggling government meetings, press interviews, stakeholder events and sector briefings. He will rely on you to bring focus, structure and support to this vital work.

Person Specification

Essential

Proven experience as a PA or Executive Assistant (or equivalent). Outstanding organisational and diary management skills. Strong written and verbal communication. High emotional intelligence and confidence with senior stakeholders. Ability to juggle multiple competing priorities. Discretion, reliability and professionalism. Strong digital literacy--proficient in Microsoft 365 and confident with CRMs and collaboration tools. Proactive and self-motivated with a problem-solving mindset. Able to travel nationally with overnight stays Private and secure home office environment for confidential work and video calls

Desirable

Experience in the charity, education, care or public sectors. Familiarity with CRM systems or membership databases. Experience using AI tools (or eagerness to learn). Project coordination or event support experience. A genuine interest in children's social care or public policy. Ambition to grow--whether towards project management, policy, or leadership. Able to travel internationally

How to Apply

If you're looking for a safe, routine PA role, this isn't it. If you're ambitious, sharp and ready to learn at the highest level, we'd love to hear from you.

Please send your CV and a short covering letter explaining why you're the right person to step into this unique role, and why you want it.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Children's Homes Association is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone feels respected and valued. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, and particularly welcome those with lived experience of the care system or from underrepresented groups. If you require any adjustments to the application process, please contact us and we'll do our best to support you.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 33,000.00-35,000.00 per year

Application question(s):

Are you happy with travel across England and Wales and occasional international travel? Do you have a minimum of 2 years of experience in a similar role? Do you have strong digital literacy, proficient in Microsoft 365, and confidence in using CRMs and collaborative platforms? Do you have experience using AI tools, such as ChatGPT? Do you have the right to work in the UK? Do you have a full UK driving license?
Work Location: Remote