Business Administration Apprentice

City of London Corporation; Camden Town; On-site; GBP 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization is looking for a Level 3 Business Administration Apprentice based at Heathrow Animal Reception Centre. The role involves supporting reception duties, managing administrative records, and preparing health documents for animals. Candidates should have GCSEs in English and Maths (grade 4), with strong communication and administrative skills. The position offers a salary of £25,780 per year and includes a pension scheme and various employee benefits.

Benefits

City of London Corporation pension scheme

Discounts and special offers for a wide range of products and services

Qualifications

• GCSE in English and Maths at grade 4.
• Strong communication and customer care skills.
• Ability to pay attention to detail in administrative tasks.

Responsibilities

• Assist with reception duties and general clerical tasks.
• Input consignment information and manage databases.
• Prepare animal health documents and handle invoicing.
• Support training events and meetings.
• Maintain positive relationships within the team.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Customer care skills

Administrative skills

Number skills

Team working

Non judgemental

Patience

Education

GCSE in English (grade 4)

GCSE in Maths (grade 4)

Job description

Overview

The City of London Corporation has a vacancy for a Level 3 Business Administration Apprentice at the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre. Based at Heathrow Airport, the Animal Reception Centre provides a service to the airlines transporting live animals. The main remit of the HARC is to enforce UK & EU legislation for animal health and welfare.

Responsibilities

• Assist with reception duties: receiving pet owners, agents, airline representatives and visitors to the Animal Reception Centre.
• Undertake general clerical duties including photocopying, scanning documents and filing. Carry out basic word processing, diary management, routine correspondence and data inputting.
• Input consignment information into the relevant databases and ensure efficient recording, filing and retrieval of all administrative records relating to Heathrow Animal Reception Centre procedures.
• Prepare animal health documents for checking under the Pet Travel Scheme.
• Assist with answering enquiries by telephone and email, from the public and airlines, regarding shipment of animals by air.
• Follow procedures for raising invoices for services provided. Assist with calculating charges and taking payments.
• Carry out basic stock control to ensure supplies meet demands. Assist with placing orders with approved suppliers as requested.
• Coordinate work experience placements and assist with booking and making provisions for visitor groups.
• Provide support and assist with administration for training events, seminars and meetings. Assist with appropriate set up and clear down of rooms and catering.
• Assist with occasional animal husbandry tasks as required.
• Actively seek to implement the City of London's Occupational Health and Safety Policy in relation to the duties of the post, and at all times give due regard to the health and safety of both themselves and others when carrying out their duties.
• Actively seek to implement the City of London's Equal Opportunity Policy and the objective to promote equality of opportunity in relation to the duties of the post.
• To undertake any other duties that may reasonably be requested appropriate to the grade.
• Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
• Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
• Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.
• Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
• Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
• Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
• Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.
• Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.

Qualifications

• GCSE in English (grade 4) and Maths (grade 4)
• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Customer care skills
• Administrative skills
• Number skills
• Team working
• Non judgemental
• Patience

Training and Start Details

• Training course: Business Administrator (Level 3)
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm (core hours). Flexibility will be required for business needs. 35 hours a week
• Start date: Monday 1 December 2025
• Duration: 1 year 6 months

Benefits

• Salary: £25,780 a year
• Check minimum wage rates
• City of London Corporation pension scheme
• Discounts and special offers for a wide range of products and services