Receptionist

Elizabeth School of London; Manchester; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Sick pay

Maternity/Paternity pay

Employee assistance programme

Virtual GP access

Job summary

Elizabeth School of London is seeking a friendly receptionist to be the first point of contact for students, staff and visitors at the Manchester campus. You will greet guests, answer inquiries, direct visitors to offices, and handle calls professionally while maintaining an organized reception area.

The role involves administrative tasks, directory updates, event support and collaboration with campus staff to ensure a welcoming, safe and efficient front desk experience.

Qualifications

• Front desk reception experience or customer service background preferred.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Greet and assist visitors and provide information regarding university services and events.
• Manage front desk operations and ensure coverage during business hours.
• Provide administrative support including filing, photocopying, scanning and data entry.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety at the front desk and report concerns.
• Collaborate with staff to maintain effective communication and smooth operations.

Skills

Excellent communication

Interpersonal skills

Organisational skills

Office software proficiency

Professional demeanour

Conflict handling

Flexibility to work evenings/weekends

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Office administration certification (a plus)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Telephone systems

Job description

Working Days & Hours: Full-Time, Monday to Friday, 8.30am-4.30pm

About Us

The Elizabeth School of London (ESL) is a higher education provider committed to offering relevant, high-quality programmes on campuses across six major cities including London, Birmingham, Leeds, Leicester, Manchester, and Northampton. With an inclusive approach to the recruitment of students, we provide one-to-one academic and career guidance with the purpose of widening access to higher education among groups currently under- represented. We believe that education is transformational and can make a fundamental difference to the individuals and communities we serve.

Role of Receptionist

The receptionist serves as the first point of contact for students, staff, and visitors at the university's main reception area. The receptionist provides exceptional customer service, handles inquiries, and ensures efficient operations of the front desk. This role requires strong communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills to create a welcoming and informative environment for all visitors.

Responsibilities

Greet and Assist Visitors:

• Welcome all visitors, including students, faculty, staff, and external guests.
• Provide a friendly, professional, and positive first impression of the university.
• Answer inquiries and provide accurate information regarding university services, facilities, and campus events.
• Direct visitors to appropriate offices, classrooms, or departments.
• Handle phone calls, transferring calls to the appropriate individuals or departments.

Manage Front Desk Operations:

• Maintain a clean and organised reception area.
• Manage the reception schedule, ensuring adequate coverage during business hours.
• Monitor and manage visitor access to the campus, including issuing visitor passes when required.

Administrative Support:

• Assist in various administrative tasks, including filing, photocopying, scanning, and data entry.
• Update and maintain student and staff directories.
• Provide administrative support during university events and meetings.

Health and Safety:

• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations at the front desk area.
• Monitor and report any security or safety concerns to appropriate personnel.
• Assist in emergency procedures, such as evacuation protocols or first aid response.

Collaboration and Teamwork:

• Collaborate with other university staff to ensure smooth operations and effective communication.
• Participate in staff meetings and training sessions as required.
• Foster a positive and inclusive work environment.

Qualifications and Skills

• High school diploma or equivalent; additional education or certification in office administration is a plus.
• Proven experience as a receptionist or in a customer service role.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to multitask and prioritise tasks.
• Proficient in using office software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite) and telephone systems.
• Knowledge of university policies, services, or campus layout is an advantage.
• Friendly, approachable, and professional behaviour.
• Ability to handle difficult or demanding situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings or weekends, as required.
• Annual leave (7.2 weeks)
• Company Sick Pay.
• Statutory maternity and paternity pay.
• Employee Assistance Programme (HA Wisdom Wellbeing)
• Virtual GP access (Livi)
• 'Speak Up Service' - confidential support service to report any workplace concerns
• Specialist physical and mental wellbeing support services with 24/7 confidential counselling support (Wisdom)
• Financial, legal and medical advice services provided (Wisdom)
• Life & Leadership coaching (Wisdom)
• Financial coaching (MUNNY)
• Discounts and perks, offering savings on shopping, activities and more (Bright Exchange)
• Self-development and Self-taught trainings