Commercial Administrator

Innovate UK; East Hagbourne; Hybrid; GBP 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research institution in the UK is seeking an Administrative Support role within its Commercial Directorate. The successful candidate will provide essential support for procurement activities, ensure data accuracy, and coordinate reporting. Key qualifications include strong Excel skills and excellent written communication. This role offers a competitive salary, hybrid working options, and various employee benefits such as annual leave and discounts.

Benefits

Defined benefit pension scheme

30 days' annual leave

Employee discounts

Employee assistance programme

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Excellent written communication skills required.
• Experience in an administrative role ideally in a procurement environment.
• Proficient in managing workload dynamically.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support to the Commercial team.
• Ensure accuracy of data within procurement team repositories.
• Coordinate reporting from procurement team members.

Skills

Self-starter

Attention to Detail

Organised

Helpful

Quick Learner

Versatile

Positive Attitude

Discreet

Education

General Certificates of Secondary Education including English and Maths grade 6/9

Analyst/procurement/business qualification (desirable)

Tools

MS Office packages

Excel (using formulas and pivot tables)

Job description

UK Research & Innovation

Salary: £37,841 per annum

Band: UKRI Band D

Contract Type: Open ended

Hours: Full-time (flexible working available)

Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, Oxon. Minimum 2 days per week in the office (Hybrid working available)

Closing Date: 27th November 2025

About The Role

The UKRI Commercial Directorate is responsible for both procurement and non-procurement commercial activities within UKRI.

For procurement activities, the Directorate is responsible for assurance and the complete procurement cycle from beginning to end, including planning, sourcing and contract management for goods, services and works for the Organisation, in a legally compliant manner whilst obtaining value for money.

For non-procurement commercial activities, the Directorate provides commercial advice, operational support and assurance on non-procurement commercial activities and other contractual arrangements to support relevant business areas within UKRI to achieve their objectives.

For clarity, this role sits within the procurement activity of the Directorate but will assist on some non-procurement commercial activities where standardised activities are suitable.

Purpose of the role

• To provide essential administrative support to Commercial team to ensure optimal delivery of services and compliance with public procurement regulations
• To provide insight and information to support and strengthen Commercial decisions
• Act as initial contact and escalation route to the Commercial Analyst and Senior Leadership team
• Support the development of local procurement and contract management skills within the team

Your Responsibilities

Governance and Assurance: Ensure all data and information held within the procurement team repositories are accurate, timely, and reliable.

Reporting: Coordinate reporting from procurement team members, providing analysis and advice on corrective actions when needed.

Document Management: Ensure accuracy, consistency, quality, and appropriate storage and maintenance of documentation in accordance with the UKRI Document Management Strategy.

Process Improvement: Identify, define, and implement process improvements across procurement governance processes and interfaces.

General administration: such as managing the procurement team calendar/inbox, collating reports, and producing meeting packs.

General Administration: scheduling meetings, producing notes, capturing decisions and actions, and accurately capture and distil key information including technical discussions.

Onboarding and Induction: Assist with the coordination of onboarding, induction, and offboarding of procurement team resources.

Provide analytical support for contract renewals and extensions.

Demonstrate commercial professionalism within area of responsibility.

Other duties as agreed from time-to-time with line manager.

Key Areas of Accountability

Reporting: Maintain the integrity and consistency of reporting outputs.

SharePoint Administrator responsible for the Commercial team internal and external SharePoint Content and documentation accuracy.

Communication: Team inboxes are managed, and end user queries are responded to in a timely and professional manner.

Risk and Issue Management: Identify, monitor, and manage risks and issues, planning and implementing appropriate responses.

Personal Specification

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).

Education, Qualification And Training

Good general education and qualifications.

Desirable to have an analyst/procurement/business qualification.

Key Skills

• Self-starter: Ability to work independently without the need for micro-management.
• Attention to Detail: Strong precision and accuracy in work.
• Organised: Ability to identify and proactively prioritise tasks.
• Helpful: Willingness to assist the wider team as necessary.
• Quick Learner: Ability to understand complex issues quickly.
• Versatile: Capable of handling a variety of tasks and solving problems effectively.
• Positive Attitude: Approachable personality with a positive, can-do attitude.
• Discreet: Ability to handle highly sensitive information with discretion.

Essential

General Certificates of Secondary education including English and Maths grade 6/9 or equivalent experience. (S)

Excellent written communication skills, including proficiency in MS Office packages (S)

Strong Excel skills (capable of using formulas and pivot tables) (S&I)

Experience in an administrative role ideally within a procurement or commercial environment (S & I)

Excellent self-organisation skills, with a demonstrable ability to dynamically prioritise a workload (I)

Proactive attitude to problem-solving (I)

Proven ability to build relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders (I)

Experience of working in a large corporation or government body (S)

Benefits

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!

A List Of Benefits Below

• An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme
• 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent)
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities
• Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice
• Flexible working options

Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!

For Further Information On Our Benefits Please See

Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact

Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact.

LNKD1_UKTJ