Part Time Business Support Assistant (Part Time)

New Start; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 15,000 - 26,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working pattern

Job summary

Essex County Council in Chelmsford is recruiting a Part Time Business Support Assistant to join a friendly, collaborative team. You will perform word processing, data entry, diary management, and reception duties while supporting colleagues and stakeholders across the county.

The role offers a 22-hour per week contract with a pro-rata salary. Remote working is available on non-office days, with office attendance up to three days per week.

Qualifications

• Educated to RQF Level 2 (GCSE) including maths and English or equivalent.
• Proven ability to develop skills and knowledge in role.
• Demonstrable experience with MS Office applications and their practical use.
• Ability to use computerised systems with speed and accuracy.
• Experience managing electronic or hard copy filing systems.
• Ability to communicate clearly to diverse audiences.
• Experience handling sensitive information in line with GDPR.

Responsibilities

• Provide high quality, efficient business support within agreed SLAs.
• Respond to customer requests promptly and professionally.
• Act as a professional representative of the Business Support service locally.
• Provide self-directed clerical support and check work for accuracy.
• Support events, conferences and workshops with organisation and documentation.
• Assist with on-site and reception duties and maintain site efficiency.
• Take ownership of workload and develop strong organisational skills.

Skills

MS Office

Organised

Clear communication

Adaptable

Education

GCSEs including maths & English

Tools

MS Office applications

Electronic filing systems

Job description

Jobs

Part Time Business Support Assistant

More Information

Salary

Up to £25959.00 per annum + Full Time Equivalent

Expires

13/10/2026

Location

Chelmsford, Essex

Job Type

Part Time

Permanent, Part Time

£25,959 Per Annum, Full Time Equivalent

Location: Chelmsford

Closing Date: Tuesday 13th October 2026 at 11.59pm.

This vacancy is available as a permanent, 22 hours per week contract. The actual salary, for the 22 hours per week will be £15,435 Per Annum. Interviews for this role will be held on Monday 19th October 2026.

Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants must have a current, unrestricted right to work in the UK.

Looking for a role where your contribution counts and your development is encouraged from day one? Joining Essex County Council as a Business Support Assistant gives you the chance to build valuable skills, work with friendly colleagues, and be part of a team that helps keep vital services running across the county. Whether you're starting your career, returning to work, or looking for a role where you can make a real impact, this is a great opportunity to develop, learn and be part of something meaningful.

The Opportunity

Essex County Council (ECC) is one of the largest and most dynamic local authorities in the UK and is undergoing significant transformational change to further enhance customer focus, service and delivery. As part of this, the Business Support team will work in specialised Business Centre Support Teams and Service Support Teams to promote specialised knowledge and improved service and efficiencies.

You'll be expected to attend the office at Chelmsford up to three days per week, depending on business need. On days where full-time office attendance isn't required, remote working will apply. There may also be occasional travel to other ECC offices during the contract.

The Role

As a Business Support Assistant, you'll join a friendly and collaborative team that plays a vital role in keeping services running smoothly. This is a varied and rewarding position where you'll use your strengths, grow your confidence, and develop new skills within a supportive environment.

Your day-to-day work will include tasks such as word processing, minute taking, data entry, updating databases, call handling, managing shared inboxes and ensuring information is accurate and well organised. You'll become a trusted point of contact for colleagues and stakeholders, using strong communication skills to respond professionally to queries and build positive working relationships across the organization.

You'll support a range of on-site and reception activities, acting as a welcoming and reliable presence for staff, visitors and customers. This will include handling enquiries, supporting reception duties, managing petty cash and helping ensure the site runs efficiently.

Due to the changing demands of the service, you will be required to undertake a range of additional or alternative duties. These include supporting other teams, carrying out varied administrative tasks, or assisting with on-site responsibilities as needed. A flexible approach will ensure that operational requirements are met efficiently.

You'll be encouraged to take ownership of your workload, develop strong organisational skills and gain valuable experience with key systems, processes and business procedures. You'll be part of a team that values teamwork, supports development and recognises achievement.

About You

We're looking for someone who is:

• Organised, with strong attention to detail
• Friendly and approachable, with clear and confident communication skills
• Motivated to provide high-quality support
• Adaptable, able to handle a range of tasks and changing priorities
• Keen to learn, develop new skills and grow within the role

This is an excellent opportunity if you enjoy working with people, appreciate variety, and want to be part of a role that offers a genuinely rewarding experience.

Accountabilities

• Providing high quality, efficient and effective Business Support services to internal customers within agreed timescales and SLAs.
• Responding to customer requests and queries in a timely and efficient way.
• Acting as a professional representative of the Business Support service at a local level, dealing with customers via telephone calls personally or redirecting in line with Essex customer standards.
• Providing high quality self-directed clerical support, checking own work and proactively looking to raise standards.
• Maintaining confidential records according to Essex County Council policy and guidance.
• Providing support to the team or service with the organisation of events, conferences and workshops to ensure high quality events.
• Providing support across the team or service in dealing with correspondence, providing meeting support in terms of documentation and finance support in all aspects of documentation processing, in a timely, consistent and professional manner.
• Sharing knowledge and good practice with colleagues and highlighting more efficient ways of delivering customer service.
• Work effectively across onsite and remote settings, providing on-site support when required.
• Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.
• Actively participates in training and supports cross-skilling to ensure flexibility and continuity of service.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Educated to RQF Level 2 (GCSE) including maths and English or an equivalent vocational qualification or equivalent demonstrable experience.
• Evidence of the ability to develop skills and knowledge in role.
• Demonstrable experience and competence of MS Office applications and their practical application.
• Ability to use computerised systems with a high level of speed and accuracy.
• Previous experience of managing electronic or hard copy filing systems.
• Ability to communicate in a manner which is easily understood and tailored to meet the needs of the audience.
• Experience of dealing with sensitive and/or personal information in accordance with GDPR requirements.
• Ability to think of improved ways of working and open to new practices and responsive to change.
• Ability to take ownership of work and fulfil agreed commitments, checking work for accuracy.
• Demonstrable ability to deliver effective customer service.

Company: Essex County Council

Salary: Up to £25959.00 per annum + Full Time Equivalent

Location: Chelmsford, Essex

Sector: Corporate Services

Sector: Administration

Job Role: Officer