Two Vacancies at The Japan Society (London)

The Japan Society is the leading independent body in the United Kingdom dedicated to the enhancement of the British-Japanese relationship in all its facets. It is a membership organization and UK charity with a strong educational remit. Its core programmes include approximately 80 academic, business and cultural events each year, support for schools teaching about Japan, provision of small grants, publication of periodicals and books, and maintenance of a small historic library.

The Japan Society is now recruiting for two positions: Membership Officer and Information & Education Assistant.

The deadline for both posts is 31 May, and the job descriptions can be found below. 

Interviews will take place in the first week of June 2013.

Information and Education Assistant – Japan Society

Location: London £18 – £19k depending on experience

The Information and Education Assistant has a central role supporting all areas of the Society’s activity. He/she is the first point of contact for general enquiries and will have a general overview of current projects. This post also provides administrative support for management of the Japan Society office, the Small Grants scheme and for aspects of the Schools Education programme.

He/she will report to the Head of Education, though will work directly with other members of the Society’s management team on particular areas of activity.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Dealing with enquiries from callers, by phone, email and in person, and directing them to the  relevant member of staff when appropriate
• Managing applications for Japan Society Small Grants, communicating with applicants and the Grants committee, keeping accurate records and administering payments
• Providing administrative support to the education team, for example with management of loan resources and education events, and the maintenance of schools database information
• Managing the office environment, including equipment and supplies, handling incoming and outgoing post
• Occasionally assisting with events, which may require evening work

Skills required:

• Excellent English language skills (ability to handle telephone calls, write letters/emails, participate in meetings)
• Knowledge of Japanese language and culture is useful.
• Excellent organizational abilities and attention to detail
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint etc) is essential. Experience of databases is useful.
• Flexibility and a willingness to get involved, when necessary, in any aspect of the Society’s activity as part of a small team.
• Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 31 May 2013

Please send a CV and covering letter by email to Heidi Potter at heidi.potter@japansociety.org.uk.

Interviews will take place in the first week of June.

Membership Officer – Japan Society

Location: London £20 – £23k depending on experience

The Membership Officer is the first point of call for the Society’s membership of some 700 individual and 200 corporate members and is responsible for keeping our records up to date and coordinating recruitment efforts. The post provides support to the Membership and Development committees and plays an active role in the management of the programme of business events.

He/she will report to the Chief Executive, though may work directly with other members of the Society’s small team on particular areas of activity.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Handling membership enquiries and playing an active role in recruitment
• Processing membership applications and renewals, managing payments
• Maintaining the membership databases and producing regular updates, collating statistics. Helping the education team manage its database of schools and teachers.
• Drafting materials for print and website and preparing information packs for members and donors
• Sending regular postal information and events updates to members
• Assisting with the planning and organization of business and donor events, both daytime and evening
• Supporting the work of the Membership and Development committees, producing minutes and related documents

Skills required:

• Excellent English language skills with experience of business communication (ability to write business letters, draft information packs, handle telephone calls, participate in meetings, respond to email communications)
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, ability to spot errors and self-correct
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint etc)
• Experience of databases (SQL and Access) is a great advantage but not essential. Training will be provided if necessary, but evidence of strong general IT skills is important.

• Flexibility and a willingness to get involved, when necessary, in any aspect of the Society’s activity with others in our small team.

• Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 31 May 2013

Please send a CV and covering letter by email to Heidi Potter at heidi.potter@japansociety.org.uk.

Interviews will take place in the first week of June.