Governance and EDI Officer

Biochemical Society

Length of contract
12 months

About the Organisation

Biochemical Society promotes the future of molecular biosciences, facilitating the sharing of expertise, supporting the advancement of biochemistry and molecular biology, and raising awareness of their importance in addressing societal grand challenges. The Biochemical Society’s training programme aims to support the next generation of biochemists and provide opportunities for people of all ages and experience to explore and engage with molecular bioscience. The current programmes include some live face-to-face or online training events and several self-led online training courses.

About the role

The Biochemical Society promotes the future of molecular biosciences, facilitating the sharing of expertise, supporting the advancement of biochemistry and molecular biology, and raising awareness of their importance in addressing societal grand challenges. We are seeking a Governance and EDI Officer to support the Governance and EDI team.

The Governance and EDI Officer will work closely with Trustees, the Senior Leadership Team, and other key stakeholders (both internal and external) to help deliver the calendar of governance committee, board and panel meetings ensuring adherence to pre-defined service standards and ensuring that all discussions, decisions and follow-on actions are recorded, communicated and actioned as appropriate, alongside supporting team members with EDI initiatives, including the Society’s EDI Community, the 2026 online EDI Symposium, Society involvement in the 2027 Minoritised Life Scientists Future Forum and organisational mentoring schemes.

The post-holder will support with administration and management for various Committees by compiling and preparing agendas and associated papers before each meeting, preparing Chair Notes and producing accurate minutes of meetings within the agreed timelines. You will also act as a liaison between the Society/PPL and Committee members on practical and logistical matters, such as supporting with expenses, as required.

The role will provide administrative support for the Nominations process and success planning, including Committee Chair, Trustee and Director inductions, along with drafting and reviewing policy documents and terms of reference. In addition, providing support on EDI initiatives with the wider team on the EDI Toolkit management.

Suitable candidates will have experience in Committee work, with excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with a variety of stakeholders. The successful candidate will also be able to present information in a concise report format, with strong attention to detail, while being able to work flexibly to manage competing demands as required.

Responsibilities

Key Accountabilities:

• To manage and support Biochemical Society (Society) and Portland Press Ltd (PPL) committees, to support on a number of EDI initiatives across the organisation and to provide administrative support to the Governance and EDI team and Senior Leadership Team as required.

Committee Administration:

• Administer and manage meetings for the:
  • Policy, Education and Communities Committee
  • EDI Committee
  • Early Careers Advisory Panel
  • Industry Advisory Panel
  • Conferences and Training Panel
  • Research Area
  • Publications Committee
  • Any other meeting as required
• To include but not limited to:
  • Compilation and preparation of agendas and associated papers
  • Preparation of Chair's Notes
  • Management of online and/or in-person logistics
  • Development of good working relationship with the Chair of any relevant committee/panel
  • Production of accurate minutes within agreed timelines and to act as liaison between the Society/PPL and committee members on practical/logistical matters, including expenses, as required

Administrative Assistance:

• To include but not limited to:
  • Administrative support for the nominations processes and succession planning, including Committee Chair, Trustee and Director inductions
  • Drafting and review of policy documents and terms of reference
  • Administrative support for Society Ambassadors
  • Support on EDI initiatives together with the wider team, including management of the EDI Toolkit

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

• Previous experience in committee work is essential
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential
• Demonstrable ability to synthesise information from disparate sources into report format in a concise fashion
• Ability to build sound and diplomatic working relationships with others and, in particular, liaise with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, PowerPoint, Word and Excel (intermediate level)
• Positive approach to business relationships coupled with a logical approach to thinking and organizing work
• Ability to work effectively on own initiative
• Discreet and confidential
• Highly organised
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to work flexibly and manage competing demands, re-prioritising work as required

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salaries within the sector
• 24 days holiday + eight bank holidays and additional days over the Christmas break
• 14.5% employer pension contribution, 6.1% employee pension contribution
• Flexible working options available
• Enhanced Family Friendly Policies
• Employee Assistance Programme and Retail Offers and Discounts
• 4-day working week, available upon passing your probation
• Eyecare vouchers with Specsavers
• Enhanced Family Friendly Policies
• Paid Carers Leave
• Volunteering Leave
• Study Leave
• Enhanced Sick Pay after one year's continuous service

Conditions of employment

• Candidate must be eligible to work in the UK. We cannot sponsor a visa.

Working locations

• Home-based

How to apply

• Apply online
• Please send a CV and covering letter. You mustn't include your Personal Information, name, and contact details in your CV or Cover Letter.
• Please note that due to limited resources, it is not possible for the Society to acknowledge receipt of applications. If you do not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Interviews

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Please note that this role is home-based and as such interviews will be virtual.

Policies

This is because the Society is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. We offer a range of family-friendly, inclusive employment policies to support staff from different backgrounds. The Society takes the security of your data seriously. It has internal policies and controls in place to ensure that your data is not lost, accidentally destroyed, misused or disclosed, and is not accessed except by our employees in the proper performance of their duties.

Support of Diversity - Treats all people with respect; values diverse perspectives; participates in diversity training opportunities; provides a supportive work environment for the multicultural workforce; applies the Company’s philosophy of equal employment opportunity; shows sensitivity to individual differences; treats others fairly without regard to race, sex, color, religion, or sexual orientation; recognizes differences as opportunities to learn and gain by working together; values and encourages unique skills and talents; seeks and considers diverse perspectives and ideas.

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