Business Support Officer​/PA

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We are looking for an experienced administrator to support the Associate Director of Student & Academic Services (Education Development Services). You will provide comprehensive personal assistance and administrative support to the Associate Director, and diary support to their management team. This role will also assume responsibility for the reception function within the Education Development Centre, including line management of a Receptionist.

With a team of approx 60 staff, Education Development Services (EDS) oversees a range of university‑wide staff‑ and student‑facing services and initiatives which support the enhancement of education at the University.

You will also be part of the Student & Academic Services (S&AS) Business Support Team; a dynamic, driven, and experienced team with a broad knowledge base and varied skill set. The team supports administrative, HR, recruitment, health and safety and financial operations across a department of 400+ staff. The team works together to maintain policies, processes, principles and standards across each of their respective sections.

Jointly reporting to the Associate Director, S&AS and Business Support Team Leader, you will be responsible for the implementation of sound and efficient office administration practices. You will have substantial experience of office administration including experience of providing personal assistance to a senior manager. You will have excellent communication skills and excel at working with others.

• Provide a full Personal Assistant (PA) service including: diary management, document management, answering email and telephone enquiries, servicing meetings, crafting communications and arranging events.
• Oversee the staffing and smooth-running of the Education Development Centre reception ensuring consistency and quality of front-line services and process for all EDS activities, line managing the Receptionist, overseeing rotas and managing ad‑hoc cover arrangements.
• Independently plan and prioritise work; making judgements in the absence of senior staff as appropriate.
• Arrange and attend meetings, take minutes and support the development of processes and procedures relating to the overall management of Education Development Services.
• Act as Health and Safety Officer for Education Development Services; be the main health and safety point of contact for staff; and act as liaison between the section and the central Health and Safety Department.
• Triage and take responsibility for queries and requests; ensuring that those requiring immediate attention are dealt with, and where appropriate directing on to colleagues within the University.
• Lead on finance & procurement processes including:
  Checker and Approver for staff expense claims; purchasing card responsibility (acting in line with financial guidelines).
• Maintain an accurate record of office expenditure and work alongside the Associate Director, S&AS to manage and monitor budgets.
• Lead on staff recruitment activities and induction of new staff and provide guidance to managers and staff relating to HR processes.
• Deal with a range of confidential issues, including those related to senior colleagues, staff and students, recognising the sensitivity and importance and ensuring that they are responded to accordingly and that confidentiality is maintained throughout.
• Make arrangements for travel; booking and creating detailed itineraries and travel arrangements.
• Provide administrative assistance on a range of projects.
• Organise senior management and staff events e.g. external…