Receptionist

SKAO; Manchester; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 17,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave

Generous pension

Relocation assistance

Job summary

SKA Observatory is seeking an experienced Receptionist to join our international Head Office in Cheshire, UK. You will be the first point of contact, manage day-to-day reception duties, and support the Events Team in coordinating and delivering events hosted at Head Office.

The role requires a friendly, flexible approach, strong organisational skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders in a dynamic, globally connected setting.

Qualifications

• Experience in administration and reception in a busy office.
• Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
• Competent IT skills, particularly with Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Greet and direct visitors at Head Office.
• Support events: reception, cloakroom, refreshments and general assistance.
• Answer enquiries via email, phone and post.
• Assist Admin team with organisational tasks.

Skills

Reception experience

Interpersonal skills

Microsoft Office

Communication

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

At the SKAO we are coordinating a global effort to deliver one of the largest science facilities on the planet. The SKAO telescopes will be next-generation instruments that will help to answer key questions in astrophysics, drive technological innovation and support human capital development.

More than a dozen partner countries and over a thousand scientists and engineers around the world are already on board, making the SKA project an international collaboration like no other, and one of the most ambitious science and engineering endeavours of the 21st century.

Headquartered in the UK, with telescope sites in Australia and South Africa, the SKAO will be one observatory operating two telescopes, an endeavour spanning three continents. Multinational by design, in early 2021 the SKAO became an intergovernmental organisation, one of only a select handful of science infrastructures to do so worldwide.

Our Global HQ is located near the buzzing city of Manchester at the historic Jodrell Bank Observatory, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the Cheshire countryside. It is home to a rapidly expanding international team of more than a hundred, working in a highly collaborative and inclusive way, in coordination with SKAO teams in Australia and South Africa as part of a global astronomy and engineering community.

Being part of Team SKA means contributing to something extraordinary: a uniquely exciting project to advance human knowledge that will last for decades. In return, we offer a diverse multicultural working environment, 30 days annual leave plus public holidays, a generous pension scheme, visa and support with relocation (if applicable), regular social events, a family-friendly environment and much more. Come and join us!

An excellent opportunity for an experienced Receptionist to join a welcoming, international organisation with a diverse
and multicultural workforce.

Job LocationCheshire, UK (Head Office)

Reporting to the Administration Manager, the Receptionist plays a key role as the first point of contact at Head Office,
managing day-to-day reception duties while providing administrative and organisational support across the organisation. The role also supports the Events Team in coordinating and delivering a variety of events hosted at Head Office.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a leading international research organisation within a vibrant, multicultural
environment. Working alongside colleagues from across the globe, the role offers exposure to a diverse, collaborative
workplace that values innovation and inclusion.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a friendly and flexible approach, strong organisational skills, and the ability to
communicate effectively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders in a dynamic, globally connected
setting.

The post is available to start immediately on a permanent contract. Working days will be alternate Wednesdays and
each Thursday and Friday. This averages out at 17.5 hours per week over the year. The post holder must be willing to
work on a full-time basis when needed to provide holiday cover.

We welcome applications from candidates of all nationalities, especially those from member countries. However, for
this role visa and relocation support will not be available and applicants must be able to comply with the terms of a
UK based local contract, details of which may be accessed on SKAO's recruitment portal.

Key Responsibilities, Accountabilities and Duties

• Undertake general reception duties, including greeting and directing visitors.
• Help with the organisation of events (reception and greeting, cloakroom, refreshments, general assistance).
• Deal with enquiries from internal and external sources via email, telephone and letter.
• Assist the Admin team in administrative and organisational activities.
• Maintain and track reception-related expenses using the in-house expense system.
• Monitor and maintain stationery supplies for Head Office, placing orders as needed.
• Provide general administrative support to staff within the Head Office
• Act as Fire Marshall and First Aid provider (appropriate training will be provided if necessary).
• Support the maintenance of filing and documentation systems.
• Maintain the communal areas book and magazine shelving.
• Undertake any additional duties as deemed appropriate by the line manager.

The responsibilities outlined above are intended as a guide and are not exhaustive. The Receptionist will be required to
demonstrate flexibility and adaptability in responding to the needs of the role.

Mandatory Knowledge, Skills and Experience

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The
requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or experience required:

• Experience in administration and reception work in a busy office environment.
• Flexibility and initiative in meeting competing demands and working to deadlines.
• A helpful and friendly manner.
• Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
• Competent IT skills, particularly with use of Microsoft Office.
• Competent numeracy and literacy skills.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Experience supporting the coordination and delivery of onsite events.
• Experience as Fire Marshall and/or First Aider.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion Statement

SKA Observatory recognises that our diversity is a strength. We aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong, and diverse perspectives and ideas thrive. As such, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion are at the core of SKA Observatory’s agenda.

Our aim is to recruit and retain the most talented individuals, regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, nationality or background.

Women have traditionally been under-represented in the fields of science and engineering; SKA Observatory welcomes and encourages female applicants.

Where applicants with a disability need facilities or adjustments to enable them to participate in the recruitment process, these will be provided.

SKA Observatory welcome all candidates, especially those from member countries.