Business Support Administrator

BRE TRUST; Watford; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension (5% match)25

Life assurance (4x salary)

Maternity package

Health cashback

Onsite facilities

BRE Academy access

Membership reimbursement

Job summary

BRE is looking for a meticulous Business Support Administrator to provide operational, administrative and coordination support within the FDET team, based at our Watford office. In an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory environment, you will help maintain records, systems and processes that underpin lab compliance, project delivery and day-to-day operations.

You will work with laboratory management, technical staff and stakeholders to coordinate activities, manage documentation, support project

Qualifications

• Previous experience in an administrative, coordination or business support role.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel, Word and Outlook.
• Confidence working with data, reports, financial information and basic calculations.

Responsibilities

• Support the day-to-day administration and operation of the FDET laboratory.
• Coordinate laboratory schedules, project tracking and resource planning activities.
• Prepare quotations and assist with project administration and reporting.
• Support forecasting, revenue tracking and other financial administrative activities.
• Maintain accurate records, documentation and filing systems.
• Assist with document control processes and support internal and external audits.
• Coordinate equipment calibration records, maintenance schedules and supplier activities.
• Manage stock, consumables, purchasing requests and orders.
• Maintain training records, competency matrices and departmental documentation.
• Support health and safety activities, meetings and action tracking.
• Organise meetings, prepare agendas, take minutes and monitor follow-up actions.
• Manage enquiries, correspondence, travel arrangements and other administrative requests.
• Build positive working relationships with colleagues, suppliers and external partners.

Skills

Administrative experience

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Independent working

Tools

Excel

Word

Outlook

Job description

Business Support Administrator

Make your mark at BRE!

BRE is a world-leading global organisation for innovation, science and data in the built environment. For over 100 years, we have supported governments, businesses and industry with pioneering research, testing and expertise. We are focused on growth, scale and expanding our global impact with products, services, standards and qualifications that address the challenges of a changing world. Driven by our purpose of helping everyone, in every building, everywhere, we are creating a safer, more sustainable built environment for people and planet.

Your role at BRE

As our Business Support Administrator, you'll provide operational, administrative and coordination support across the FDET team. Working within an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory environment, you'll help maintain the records, systems and processes that support laboratory compliance, project delivery and day-to-day operations.

You'll work closely with laboratory management, technical staff and wider business stakeholders, helping to coordinate activities, manage documentation, support project administration and contribute to the efficient running of the department.

This is a varied role that offers the opportunity to gain exposure to laboratory operations, quality management systems, project administration and business support activities, with full training provided where required.

Key responsibilities

• Support the day-to-day administration and operation of the FDET laboratory.

• Coordinate laboratory schedules, project tracking and resource planning activities.

• Prepare quotations and assist with project administration and reporting.

• Support forecasting, revenue tracking and other financial administrative activities.

• Maintain accurate records, documentation and filing systems.

• Assist with document control processes and support internal and external audits.

• Coordinate equipment calibration records, maintenance schedules and supplier activities.

• Manage stock, consumables, purchasing requests and orders.

• Maintain training records, competency matrices and departmental documentation.

• Support health and safety activities, meetings and action tracking.

• Organise meetings, prepare agendas, take minutes and monitor follow-up actions.

• Manage enquiries, correspondence, travel arrangements and other administrative requests.

• Build positive working relationships with colleagues, suppliers and external partners.

What we're looking for

We're looking for someone who is highly organised, detail-oriented and enjoys supporting a team to achieve its goals.

Essential skills and experience:

• Previous experience in an administrative, coordination or business support role.

• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records.

• Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel, Word and Outlook.

• Confidence working with data, reports, financial information and basic calculations.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.

• Proactive approach with a willingness to take ownership and solve problems.

• Ability to follow established procedures and maintain high standards of accuracy and professionalism.

• Customer-focused approach when dealing with internal and external stakeholders.

Desirable experience:

• Experience working within a laboratory, engineering, manufacturing or technical environment.

• Knowledge of document control, quality systems or regulated working environments.

• Familiarity with ISO 17025, ISO 9001, UKAS-accredited environments or similar compliance frameworks.

• Experience supporting audits, compliance activities or operational processes.

BRE Benefits

At BRE, we offer a competitive salary, reviewed annually, along with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your financial security, well-being, and career development.

Financial & Security Benefits

• Pension scheme – 5% employer-matched contribution

• Life assurance – 4x your basic salary

• Enhanced maternity package

Health & Wellbeing

• HealthPartners cashback scheme – Reclaim costs on prescriptions, physiotherapy, dental care, and more

• Onsite facilities – Restaurant, nursery, and free parking, including at-cost EV charging points

Career Development

• Learning & development – Free access to BRE Academy and our online learning platform

• Professional membership reimbursement

For full details on our benefits, visit: BRE Employee Benefits

Work Location Options

On-Site – This role requires full-time presence at our Watford office. You must live within a commutable distance. However, you may be able to work from home on an ad hoc basis.

Our Recruitment Process

As part of our recruitment process we will be conducting 10-30 minute phone screening calls via an AI recruiter called Ryan with all shortlisted candidates. The information gathered from this screening will be used to help assess your suitability for the position.

Note to Employment Agencies

At BRE, we value the relationships we have built with our preferred recruitment partners. We do not accept unsolicited CVs from employment agencies. Any CVs submitted directly to a BRE employee or hiring manager without a signed BRE Employment Agency Agreement and an active engagement for the specific role will be considered unsolicited. In such cases, no fees will be payable should the candidate be hired through this or any other means.

Equal Opportunities Statement

BRE is an equal opportunities employer. We assess all qualified applicants based on merit and do not discriminate on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristics.

Department: Assurance - Fire Safety & Security

Locations: Watford

Yearly salary: £25,000 - £27,000

Employment type: Full-time

About BRE

BRE contributes to a thriving and sustainable world by developing science-led solutions to built environment challenges. Our vision is to be the world-leading innovation, science, and data hub for the built environment. We’re ambitious in terms of quality and global scope. We want governments and commercial markets to recognise us and demand our services, products and solutions. We want to be world-class, innovative, science-led and provide solutions.