Communities and Inclusion Assistant

British Ecological Society

Hours
35 hours per week

Length of contract
2 year

About the Organisation

British Ecological Society (BES) is the oldest ecological society in the world, dedicated to advancing ecological science. Founded in 1913, BES promotes the study of ecology through research, education, and policy engagement, supporting ecologists at all career stages. BES has a global membership of ecologists, including students, researchers, and professionals from academia, government, and industry. Members benefit from exclusive resources, networking opportunities, and access to grants.

About the role

We are seeking a Communities and Inclusion Assistant to support the Communities and Inclusion team at BES. The team works across a range of areas, including grants, membership, volunteering, and education, to engage with ecology in meaningful ways. This is a new role within BES and a fantastic opportunity to engage with the world’s oldest ecological society. You will gain experience across multiple areas of the organisation’s work while playing a key administrative support role.

Responsibilities

Community Groups:

• We support over 25 active community groups.
• Administering the Community Groups inbox and acting as the first point of contact for general enquiries from current and prospective community groups.
• Supporting the BES Community Groups team in their work, including attending monthly meetings and providing meeting notes.
• Assisting community groups with recruitment to their committees.

Grants:

• Administering the Grants inbox.
• Supporting the administration of our grant portfolio, including collating reviewer scores and EDI data monitoring via the grants database.
• Managing the in-house training and travel grant awarding process.
• Attend Grants committee meetings, taking minutes as required.

Membership:

• Administering the Membership inbox and responding to members' enquiries
• Updating and maintaining daily CRM tasks related to joining, renewals, cancellation requests and payment processes to ensure accurate membership data.
• Updating and maintaining accurate Membership KPI tracking.
• Attending the Membership committee, taking minutes as required.

Team Support:

• As part of the communities and Inclusion directorate, contribute your skills, ideas, and enthusiasm to delivering our strategic priorities through team meetings, attendance at events, project support, and collaborative working.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Essential:

• Experience in data and information handling
• Proficient in using standard office software and systems, in particular Excel.
• Proven customer service skills
• Detail-oriented
• Proactive problem-solving skills and ability to work independently.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic office environment.
• Moderate understanding of standard business IT hardware.

Desirable:

• Experience working in a charity or membership organisation.
• Experience in using CRM systems (training will be provided)
• Familiarity with GDPR compliance (training will be provided)

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual leave: With a generous holiday allowance and office closure between Christmas and the New Year, we’ll make sure you have space for yourself. We also offer everyone a week working from anywhere.  
• Pension: To help with saving for your retirement, we offer a generous pension plan.
• Health and wellbeing: We offer regular wellbeing activities, access to a dedicated wellness room, complimentary breakfast items and fresh fruit, and we hold annual all‑staff away days. With a supportive occupational sick policy, eye care checks and seasonal flu jabs, we’re here to keep your health a priority.

Working locations

• Hybrid model, working in the London office and remotely

How to apply

• To apply for this vacancy, Please submite' via online
  • Your CV - no more than 2x A4 sides detailing your education, training, and work history, as well as any relevant key skills
  • A covering letter - no more than 1 A4 side explaining why you wish to undertake this role at the BES
  • Your Equality and Diversity information - this voluntary information helps us to assess the diversity of our recruitment and further improve recruitment processes in the future. It has no bearing on the success of your application and is not considered part of the shortlisting process.

Interviews

• Interview date: Monday, 23rd March 2026

Return to listing