Senior Business Support Assistant at Durham University

Durham, England, United Kingdom -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

04 Aug, 26

Salary

25571.0

Posted On

06 May, 26

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Administrative Support, Record Maintenance, Procurement Processes, Customer Service, Time Management, Microsoft 365, Minute Taking, Problem Solving, Communication Skills, Attention To Detail, Organisational Skills, GDPR Compliance, Data Management, Collaborative Working, Forward Planning, Digital Literacy

Industry

Higher Education

Description

Job Title: Senior Business Support Assistant Department: Estates and Facilities Directorate Accommodation and Commercial Services Grade: Grade 3 Salary range: £25,025-£25,571 Working arrangements: Full time (35 hours per week) Permanent Five days from seven, primarily Monday to Friday Covering between the hours of 8.00am and 5.00pm May be required to work evenings and weekends, as business demands Hybrid working (minimum of three days per week onsite, depending on business need, following the initial induction/ training period which will be full time onsite) Closing date: 13th May 2026 The University At Durham University, we are proud of our people, because they are at the heart of our globally outstanding institution, which is a key part of our local community. We inspire our people to do extraordinary things and we invite you to join our fantastic team. Across the University, we have a huge variety of roles and responsibilities, which together make us one large and successful community. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer. At the University we promote and actively champion equality, diversity and inclusion. It is crucial that everyone can be themselves and can flourish in an environment where everyone respects each other and is treated fairly. We want our people and wider community to feel happy, secure and proud to be a part of Durham. We are looking for the same values in you. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. For more information on our EDI strategy and values, click here. The Role and Department As Senior Business Support Assistant, you will play a key role in delivering proactive, high‑quality administrative support across the Estates and Facilities Directorate and the wider University. You will contribute to the smooth and efficient running of services by managing a range of administrative tasks, including maintaining accurate records, handling enquiries, supporting meetings, and assisting with procurement processes. Working within a busy operational environment, you will need excellent organisational skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities effectively. As part of a Directorate responsible for maintaining, developing and supporting the University’s campuses, you will provide responsive and customer‑focused support to staff, students, contractors and visitors. You will be expected to use initiative, apply established procedures and work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure the consistent delivery of high‑quality administrative services. This role is essential in enabling teams to operate efficiently and in accordance with University policies, regulatory requirements and service standards. The Estates and Facilities Directorate provides a range of essential services to Durham University and is responsible for managing, maintaining and developing the infrastructure and building fabric of the various campuses. Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description. Working at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits: · 27 days annual leave, plus 8 public holidays and 4 customary days, a total of 39 days per year, including time off between Christmas and New Year. · No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. · Discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions. · Onsite nursery and children’s clubs during the summer holidays. · Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. · The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities. · Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). · If you are keen on advancing in your role or career, we have a genuine passion for developing our colleagues, from qualifications to IT skills, courses and apprenticeships. · Generous pension schemes. What you need to demonstrate when you apply To be considered for this role, here are the skills/experience we’re looking for: Essential Criteria Qualifications/Experience 1. Five GCCEs at least Grade C or Level 4 (or equivalent), including English Language and Mathematics, or equivalent experience. 2. Experience of working in a team delivering customer focussed administrative services or having relevant qualifications for the role. 3. Experience of maintaining efficient administrative processes. 4. Experience of managing time and prioritising high-volume, varied workloads, to meet, often conflicting, deadlines. Skills/Abilities/Knowledge 5. Good spoken and written communication skills. 6. Good digital skills including experience in using digital devices and apps including, but not limited to, the internet, email, and Microsoft 365 applications. 7. Ability to organise and deliver work, without close supervision. 8. Good organisational skills and ability to use initiative in day-to-day tasks and forward planning. 9. Ability to solve problems as part of a team and resolve straightforward issues. 10. Ability to provide advice and guidance to a range of colleagues and customers. 11. Good attention to detail and high-levels of accuracy. Desirable Criteria 12. NVQ Level III Business Administration 13. Committed to training/continuing professional development. 14. Ability to exercise judgement and personal initiative in determining the correct course of action. 15. RSA Level III word processing qualification (or equivalent). How to Apply We prefer to receive applications online, and to be considered at the shortlisting stage, you will need to submit the following: · CV. · A covering letter, which clearly demonstrates, with specific examples, how you meet all the criteria within the Person Specification. This can also be a provided as a separate statement. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates. Who to contact for more information If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role or if you are struggling to complete the application process, Shaina Scotcher, bussupport.teamleader@durham.ac.uk would be happy to speak to you. Typical Role Requirements Here are the kind of activities that you’ll be asked to undertake and ways in which you’ll be expected to operate. Service Delivery · Provide an excellent, proactive and timely service to our staff, students, visitors and contractors. · Accurately collect, record, monitor, manage and share information and data for use by others for evaluation and decision-making. · Carry out tasks that may require specialist skills, such as minute taking. · Follow established procedures when carrying out your role and refer to more senior colleagues, when necessary. · When carrying out your role, apply relevant industry and regulatory standards for example GDPR, etc. · Use standard office-based devices and applications such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Teams and SharePoint, to deliver services. · Collate and distribute information e.g. meeting agendas and papers for use by others. · When carrying out your role, carry out standard checks and follow professional and regulatory requirements when handling and archiving data and information. · Provide support for meetings, working groups and committees by preparing related documents. · Attend meetings to take minutes and produce action logs. Teamwork/Liaison · Help your colleagues when required with other key activities undertaken within your service for example car parking permits (staff and students), raising orders and receipting, etc. · Help and cooperate with the rest of your team on operational matters to help achieve shared objectives. · Liaise with staff in other areas to ensure that services are being delivered in an efficient and collaborative way. · Help team members carry out stock and inventory checks, as required. Communication/Personal · Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values. · Follow established procedures to respond to queries and bring any complex issues to the attention of more experience team members. · Respond to queries by providing routine information for example, such as car parking policy, etc. and signposting to additional guidance. · Maintain the strictest confidentiality at all times, both within and outside the University. · Attend all training and development, as required. · Any other reasonable duties. Please note that in submitting your application, Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement, which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data. When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

Responsibilities

Provide high-quality administrative support to the Estates and Facilities Directorate, including managing records, handling enquiries, and supporting meetings. Ensure efficient service delivery for staff, students, and contractors while adhering to University policies and regulatory standards.