Business Support Administrator

Please note that this is a fixed term contract/secondment opportunity until 31^st March 2026.

About Us:

Business Support teams deliver outstanding administration and customer service to all Essex County Council (ECC) functional areas. Our multi skilled teams deliver services from Business Centre hubs; providing a wide variety of support to high volume processes and tasks such as data input and management, minute taking, finance tasks, managing high volume calls, receptions and requests for assistance. We also support front line social care teams that require a more integrated approach to support.

We are proactive, forward-thinking and solution focused; we streamline processes and maximise digital opportunities. In doing so, we help increase the effectiveness of ECC to deliver better outcomes for the people of Essex than it could without our support.

We value our people and help them strive to deliver their potential and walk their career pathways within our organisation, giving them the tools and learning to get there.

Benefits:

• Healthy work life balance.
• Wide range of learning and development opportunities.
• IT equipment and home-working equipment supplied.
• 26 days annual leave + bank holidays + choice to buy extra.
• Generous Local Government Salary related pension scheme.
• Access to hundreds of discounts and benefits through Essex Rewards.
• Access to our health and wellbeing support platform with LifeWorks.
• Up to 4 days per year Volunteering leave.

Essex County Council is proud to offer an excellent benefits package to all its employees. More information can be found here pay and reward.

The Role:

A Business Support Administrator is an experienced administration and customer service professional. Working as part of a business support team to deliver administrative and customer service activities, proactively managing own workload, taking initiative, and using personal judgement to resolve internal and external customer issues. A strong working knowledge of the activities provided, and the processes required is essential to provide coaching and mentoring support to Business Support Assistants, apprentices, and work placements.

This role requires advanced knowledge of systems and processes undertaken by the team. The ability to identify opportunities to improve processes and gather information and data to inform decisions through process review. Problem solving skills to deal with the more complex issues that may arise and strong customer service skills to effectively respond to customer feedback.

About You:

You will:

• Educated to RQF Level 2 (GCSE), including Maths and English, or an equivalent vocational qualification or equivalent demonstrable experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and commitment to learning through theory and practice.
• Clear verbal, electronic, and written skills of communication.
• Customer service skills, face to face and remotely, including de-escalation and resilience in a challenging environment.
• Computer literacy, advanced knowledge of relevant software and systems and drive to explore emerging technology.
• Basic continuous improvement methodology and a curious mindset.
• Thorough knowledge of document management processes and associated legislation for information security.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of quality and accuracy in all work
• Good time management skills and the ability to prioritise work for self and others.
• Ability to communicate in a manner which is easily understood and tailored to meet the needs of the audience.

What will you be doing?

• Providing high quality, efficient and effective administration and reception services to internal and external customers within agreed timescales and SLA’s and in line with customer service standards. Undertaking the most complex business support activities, either in a Business Centre or as part of a Service Support Team.
• Working on own initiative, proactively resolving problems, and regularly exploring new ways to provide services more effectively.
• Leading on simple process reviews and contributing to more complex projects.
• Managing own time and that of others to effectively meet deadlines and SLAs and proactively communicating with customers and/line manager(s) to update on progress.
• Resolving internal and customer queries alerting customers and/ line Manager(s) to urgent or complex issues when required.
• Providing advice and guidance to Business Support Assistants, Apprentices, and work placements, acting as their Coach/Mentor and being their first point of escalation for resolving unusual or complex customer requests or feedback.
• Maintaining an up to date knowledge of processes, corporate systems and standards, sharing useful knowledge and information to the Business Support team.
• Demonstrate professional communication and engagement with customers and colleagues to ensure an effective business support service.
• Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

Why Essex? 

To read more about us please visit:

Corporate Services

Entry to work - Working for Essex

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.

We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

How to apply:

Start your journey within Business Support by clicking the APPLY button now!

If you are interested in finding out more about this role or require further information, we would love to hear from you. Please email: work.placements@essex.gov.uk.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community.

Additional Information:

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email work.placements@essex.gov.uk

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