Administrator / Business Assistant

Job Description

Administrator / Business Assistant

Grade: UKRI – Band B

Salary: £24,961 per annum

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full Time – 37 hours a week (some flexible working options may be available but please note, this role is not suitable for remote working)

Location: BGS headquarters in Keyworth in Nottingham

Closing date: 10th August 2025

A great benefits package is offered including an outstanding pension scheme (with an extremely generous employer contribution – on average 27% of your pay), 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays, and access to flexi-time

About the role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated and experienced Administrator / Business Assistant to provide highly effective administrative support at our office in Keyworth.

You will provide comprehensive and proactive administrative support to one or more Science Directors, the Challenge Programme Manager (CPM) and a team of staff, enabling colleagues to carry out their roles as effectively as possible. Developing and demonstrating an understanding of the context within which the Chief Scientist, CPM and capability leads operates to provide effective and proactive support.

You will undertake a wide variety of administrative tasks, including the use of a range of software packages and IT systems, working flexibly to facilitate the projects, events, meetings and other priorities of the business area. Working independently on day-to-day tasks, you will be supported by and support a small team of Administrator / Business Assistants.

Duties include

• Diary Management
• Arranging travel and accommodation
• Development and maintenance of spreadsheets and documents
• External events and internal meetings, including booking venues and catering, drawing up agendas.
• Taking minutes
• E-mail management for senior manager(s) as required
• Raising of purchase orders and general finance management

About you

You will be educated to at least GCSE (or equivalent) standard and/or have relevant comparable work experience, providing high-quality support in an administrative or secretarial role. A qualification in customer service and/or business administration (e.g. NVQ level 2 or 3 in business administration) would be highly desirable.

You will have effective verbal and written communication skills and be able to communicate with people at all levels clearly and concisely. We are looking for highly organised candidates who also have knowledge of and experience of using a variety of Microsoft Office and other IT applications, in particular Outlook, Word, and Excel, plus a willingness to develop these skills further.

Please also refer to the additional specific essential and desirable skills criteria for this post.

Please note – you will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during your employment.

Skills Specification – Criteria to be assessed at Shortlist ‘S’ and Interview ‘I’ Stage

Essential

• GCSE (Grade C/4 or above) or equivalent qualifications in Mathematics and English Language (S)
• A good level of work experience in an administrative/secretarial role, including experience of note taking, and supporting staff at a senior/director level including managing electronic calendars (S)
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams (S&I)
• Experience of arranging travel and accommodation (S&I)
• Ability to work unsupervised and work within a variety of teams, and to demonstrate flexibility and participate as a team member (I)
• Effective verbal and written communication skills and the ability to be discreet with a clear understanding of handling confidential information (I)
• Demonstrates an enthusiasm for the work of BGS/UKRI and the BGS core values of impact, impartiality, and knowledge (S&I)

Desirable

• Relevant qualification in customer service and/or business administration skills (e.g. NVQ level 2 or 3 in business administration) (S)
• Ability to learn bespoke IT systems eg Oracle and competent in the use of the wider range of Microsoft Office packages (eg PowerPoint, Access) (S,I)
• You will be committed to a diverse and inclusive approach to work in the geosciences (I)
• Ability to travel off-site occasionally if required (I)

About us

The British Geological Survey (BGS) is an applied geoscience research centre that belongs to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and is affiliated to the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). It is a world leading geological survey whose core mission is to advise government of science related to the subsurface and to undertake applied research to solve earth and environmental issues, both in the UK and globally. It is funded directly by UKRI, as well as through research grants and private sector contracts.

We strive to promote equality and diversity across our organisation in order to continuously improve our scientific and organisational efficiency. As such, we aim to have a workforce with employees from all backgrounds with people who are passionate about earth science and who share our dedication to work for the good of the environment and the benefit of society. BGS became a signatory of the Technician Commitment in July 2022.

How to apply

Applicants are required to include a CV and covering letter outlining their suitability for the role. We would stress the importance of this paperwork in our selection process.

A well thought through application providing evidence and examples of how you meet the advertised essential and desirable criteria for the post will be considered far more favourably than a generic covering letter and CV.

If you experience any issues applying for this role, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org.

The closing date for receipt of applications is Sunday 10th August 2025. Interviews will be held on week commencing 25th August 2025 in Nottingham.

About Us

UKRI – UK Research and Innovation

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

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