Business Support Officer

Luton Borough Council; Luton; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in the United Kingdom is seeking a Business Support Officer to provide high-level support to senior management. The successful candidate will manage diaries, coordinate meetings, and ensure effective communication across teams. It’s essential to have excellent secretarial skills, strong planning capabilities, and IT proficiency. The role offers flexible working options and generous leave benefits, contributing towards a fulfilling work-life balance.

Benefits

Annual leave up to 32 days

Pension scheme with substantial contributions

Career development opportunities

Employee Assistance Programme

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience providing secretarial and administrative support to senior management.
• Experience developing and maintaining effective procedures and systems.
• Strong planning and coordination skills, able to adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to present detailed workload information and draft documents.
• Minute-taking skills for meetings of varying complexity.

Responsibilities

• Manage Service Directors’ diaries and appointments effectively.
• Coordinate meetings, seminars, and conferences, both virtual and in-person.
• Organise and attend key meetings, producing agendas and minutes.
• Provide support during investigations and grievance processes.
• Develop and improve administrative systems and procedures.

Skills

Secretarial skills

Planning and coordination

Communication skills

IT skills

Confidentiality understanding

Education

Business Administration Level 2/3 qualification (or equivalent)

Tools

Word

PowerPoint

Spreadsheets

Databases

Job description

About The Job

Salary: £30,024 - £32,597 a year pro rata

Hours per week: 22

Contract type: Permanent

As a Business Support Officer within Luton Borough Council, you will provide high-level, comprehensive business and personal assistant support to the Service Directors within the Inclusive Economy Directorate. The role requires the exercise of sound judgement, discretion and confidentiality in all aspects of work, supporting senior leaders to operate effectively and deliver key priorities.

Responsibilities

• You will manage and maintain Service Directors’ diaries, ensuring effective prioritisation, organisation and allocation of appointments within a demanding and varied work programme.
• You will liaise with Councillors, officers, partners and external organisations to coordinate meetings, seminars and conferences, arranging virtual and in-person meetings, room bookings, refreshments, travel and accommodation as required.
• You will organise and attend key internal and external meetings, including forming agendas in consultation with Service Directors, circulating papers in advance, and producing accurate and timely minutes.
• You will ensure that actions and recommendations are followed up and progressed, and organise events and activities that support departmental objectives and promote a positive image of Luton.
• You will provide essential support during investigations, hearings, disciplinary meetings and grievance processes, including taking accurate and confidential notes as required.
• You will manage and prioritise incoming emails and correspondence in the absence of Directors, liaising with Service Managers to ensure appropriate actions are taken.
• You will provide comprehensive business support across business continuity, performance management, risks, complaints and committee reporting.
• You will maintain registers, track committee reports, manage divisional risk registers, collate information, progress‑chase deadlines and ensure issues are escalated appropriately.
• You will develop, maintain and improve administrative systems, databases and procedures, ensuring the timely and accurate retrieval of information for a wide range of audiences.
• You will collect, analyse and present statistical and management information in a clear and accessible format.
• You will draft correspondence, reports and presentations on behalf of Service Directors and Service Managers, using initiative and judgement to ensure communications are professional, accurate and clearly articulated.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience providing secretarial and administrative support to senior management.
• Experience developing and maintaining effective procedures, systems, and processes that contribute to a well-functioning team.
• Strong planning and coordination skills, able to adapt to changing working practices and shifting priorities.
• Ability to present and maintain detailed and accurate workload information, produce a wide range of complex documents, and draft correspondence such as letters, reports, and meeting minutes.
• Minute‑taking skills to capture key discussions and decisions in meetings of varying complexity.
• Clear and precise communication skills, confident in communicating with colleagues at all levels, both face‑to‑face and in writing.
• Assertive and constructive in providing advice and feedback, ensuring that the required standards and outcomes are achieved.
• Initiative and ability to work independently, establishing facts, acting within defined procedures, and solving problems when issues arise.
• Strong IT skills, proficient in using a range of software packages including Word, PowerPoint, spreadsheets, and databases, with quick learning of specific software systems.
• Understanding of data protection principles and handling Freedom of Information requests, with familiarity of confidentiality and privacy in all aspects of work.
• Ideally holding a Business Administration Level 2/3 qualification (or equivalent) or equivalent experience in an administrative or secretarial support role.
• Flexible approach to work, with the ability to adjust hours when necessary to meet service demands, including occasional evening meetings.

Benefits

• From 25 to 32 days’ annual leave: linked to length of service and grade
• Buying annual leave scheme: buy up to 20 days additional annual leave
• Career Pathways: step up in your career or move into a specialist area
• Pension scheme: with generous employer contributions of up to 20.2 per cent (at July 2023) and 3x salary death in service grant
• Generous relocation package: up to £8,000 (subject to eligibility)
• Employee Assistance Programme: a free, 24/7 confidential counselling and wellbeing support service available to all employees, their partner or spouse and dependent children over 16 still living at home
• Work/life balance: flexible working options including working from home where possible. We welcome requests for flexible working arrangements including part‑time hours and alternative working patterns
• Training and support: unlimited access to development courses, mentoring and support and clear career pathways
• Staff offers: includes discounts on your MOT, gym and fitness, restaurants and salons
• Arriva Travel Club: great value savings on local bus travel

Application Process

On occasions, we may close a vacancy early due to a very high number of applications being received.

We understand that job applications take time and effort, but a high‑quality application shows that you are professional with a good attention to detail. The recruiting manager may receive a number of applications for each job advertised so you want yours to stand out!

Our “How to apply” page has more tips to help with your application: How to apply.

About Us

Our ambitious Luton 2040 Vision – that no‑one in Luton will have to live in poverty – is at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that our people are remarkable, talented, committed and passionate about serving our residents.

The people of Luton depend heavily on this council – and that means our workforce! Are you ready to realise the remarkable and help us deliver our vision?

We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our borough.

Important Information

This role does not attract sponsorship.