Business & Operations Officer

CREC - Centre for Research in Early Childhood; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

Sick pay

Employee Assistance Scheme

Employee Benefits Scheme

On-site parking

Some flexibility to work form home

Job summary

Centre for Research in Early Childhood (CREC) is seeking a proactive Business & Operations Officer to support the smooth day-to-day running of our organisation in Central Birmingham, with some flexibility for home working.

This varied role spans finance administration, compliance coordination, HR support, systems management and office operations, providing essential support to CREC's Directors and wider team.

Qualifications

• Experience in business administration, finance, operations or office management, including practical financial administration.
• Highly organised, accurate and able to manage competing priorities with limited supervision.
• Strong digital skills and discretion with confidential information; a degree is not required.
• Experience of Sage, payroll, statutory processes, compliance registers or working within a charity, education, research or small organisation would be advantageous

Responsibilities

• Manage financial administration including invoicing, payments, reconciliations and cash-flow reporting.
• Coordinate payroll, pensions and statutory compliance activities.
• Maintain company records, governance documentation and compliance registers.
• Support HR administration, recruitment and employee records.
• Manage supplier, contract and organisational records.
• Coordinate IT systems, user access and information governance activities.
• Oversee office operations, health & safety and facilities management.
• Support cross-organisational projects and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Finance administration

HR support

Operations management

Office administration

Payroll coordination

IT systems coordination

Governance & compliance

Digital skills

Tools

Sage

Job description

Salary: c. £32,000 FTE, depending on experience

Hours: Full-time and Part-time will be considered

Location: Central Birmingham, with some flexibility for home working

Contract: Permanent

The Centre for Research in Early Childhood (CREC) is a respected early years research organisation comprising a research charity, training company, European research network and UK research organisation. We work with public bodies, universities, practitioners and partners across the UK and internationally.

We are seeking an organised and proactive Business & Operations Officer to support the smooth day-to-day running of our organisation. This varied role combines finance administration, compliance coordination, HR support, systems management and office operations, providing essential support to CREC's Directors and wider team.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage financial administration including invoicing, payments, reconciliations and cash-flow reporting.
• Coordinate payroll, pensions and statutory compliance activities.
• Maintain company records, governance documentation and compliance registers.
• Support HR administration, recruitment and employee records.
• Manage supplier, contract and organisational records.
• Coordinate IT systems, user access and information governance activities.
• Oversee office operations, health & safety and facilities management.
• Support cross-organisational projects and continuous improvement initiatives.

About you

You will have relevant experience in business administration, finance, operations or office management, including practical financial administration. You will be highly organised, accurate and confident managing competing priorities with limited supervision. Strong digital skills, sound judgement and discretion when handling confidential information are essential. A degree is not required.

Experience of Sage, payroll, statutory processes, compliance registers or working within a charity, education, research or small organisation would be advantageous

• Company pension
• Sick pay
• Employee Assistance Scheme
• Employee Benefits Scheme
• On-site parking
• Some flexibility to work form home

Interviews will be held in person on 12 October or 16 October 2026.

Join CREC and play a key role in supporting an organisation dedicated to improving outcomes for children through research, training and professional development.