Receptionist

University of Derby; Chesterfield; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

AUK's premier university is seeking a dedicated receptionist for their Chesterfield Campus. The ideal candidate will provide excellent customer service and maintain a welcoming environment for visitors. This full-time role requires the ability to multitask and work both independently and as part of a team. Benefits include generous leave entitlement, pension scheme, and staff discounts.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Access to staff discounts

Discounted onsite gym

Cycle to Work scheme

Flexible working environment

Personal and professional development

Qualifications

• Proven background in delivering excellent customer service within a busy environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to handle challenging situations with professionalism and empathy.

Responsibilities

• Be the first point of contact for all visitors.
• Ensure all enquiries are handled efficiently.
• Provide administrative support and assist with visitor management.

Skills

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

Organization

Microsoft Office proficiency

Job description

About the University

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

About the College/Department

Our Campus Life and Student Living department is responsible for essential services that significantly impact the student experience.

Campus Life is all about the various services that enhance the overall student experience, including sports, recreational facilities and community engagement.

Whereas our Student Living teams ensure the safety, comfort and compliance of the University\'s residential estates.

Whichever team you become a part of; student experience is our focus!

Our reception team are key to the University\'s success. Generally being the first interaction customers and visitors will have with us, the service they receive from you and the team will shape their experience.

About the Role

Based primarily at our Chesterfield Campus, St Helena, you will be the first point of contact for all visitors, providing a welcoming environment and delivering an excellent standard of customer service at all times.

This is a full time position, 37 hours per week. The hours of work are between 8am and 6pm; Monday to Friday; and will be further discussed at interview.

In this role, you will ensure all enquiries are handled efficiently and to a high standard, support the smooth running of reception services, and promote a safe and secure environment through your conduct and vigilance. Working closely with the Security Team, you will contribute to front-of-house safety services and play a key role in maintaining the university’s professional profile.

You will provide administrative support, assist with visitor and key management systems, and take on additional responsibilities such as first-aid cover and fire coordination as and when required. Flexibility is essential, as occasional evening and weekend work may be required to meet business needs.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a dynamic team, where your professionalism, communication skills, and commitment to excellent service will make a positive impact on the experience of all university visitors and staff.

About You

The ideal candidate will be a professional individual with a proven background in delivering excellent customer service within a busy environment. You will be proactive, approachable, and able to take ownership of the customer experience, ensuring all interactions leave a positive and lasting impression.

Highly organised and adaptable, you will demonstrate the ability to multi-task effectively, remain calm under pressure, and handle challenging situations with professionalism and empathy. With strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, you will be able to build positive relationships with colleagues, visitors, and stakeholders alike.

Competent in Microsoft Office applications and attentive to detail, the ideal candidate will combine technical proficiency with excellent literacy and numeracy skills. Above all, you will embody the university’s values, bringing enthusiasm, reliability, and a commitment to creating a welcoming and secure environment for all.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
• Discounted onsite gym
• Cycle to Work scheme
• A flexible working environment
• A commitment to personal and professional development

Key Contact

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Amer Shams, Head of Security via [e-mail].

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via [e-mail]

Important Information

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Please visit our website for more information.

The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody\'s concern.

Please find our Safeguarding pages including our Safeguarding Policy here.