Receptionist – Operations – Clacton

Thompson Smith And Puxon; Tendring; Hybrid; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

22 days annual leave plus Bank Holiday

Death in service

Group income protection

Workplace pension

Health cash plan

Employee assistance programme

Sick pay policy

Additional holiday with long service

Job summary

Thompson Smith and Puxon seeks an experienced receptionist for its Clacton office on a full-time, permanent basis. You will be the first point of contact for clients and visitors, ensuring a welcoming environment, while handling reception, facilities coordination and administrative tasks.

The role combines excellent client service with facilities and health & safety responsibilities, requiring a proactive, independent, and friendly professional who can manage priorities and escalate issues when

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a receptionist in a professional services environment.
• Strong customer service and client care skills.
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Meet and greet clients, visitors and guests in a confident, professional and welcoming manner.
• Act as the first point of contact for all visitors to the office.
• Answer, screen and direct telephone calls appropriately.
• Respond to or forward email enquiries to the relevant individual or team.
• Manage incoming and outgoing post, including distribution and franking.
• Maintain reception, waiting areas and meeting rooms to a high standard.
• Prepare meeting rooms for client meetings and internal events when required.
• Coordinate facilities services to ensure smooth and efficient operation of the Clacton office.
• Oversee maintenance of office equipment, building systems, alarms and security equipment.
• Monitor office facilities, waste and recycling arrangements, identifying issues and escalating as needed.
• Attend site when contractors are carrying out works and maintain supplier records.
• Troubleshoot minor office equipment faults and support projects as required.

Skills

Reception experience

Customer service

Organisation

Job description

Thompson Smith and Puxon (TSP) is a long-established regional law firm serving individuals, families, businesses, farmers, landowners and organisations across Essex, Suffolk and beyond.

Our mission is to Transform, Succeed, and Prosper - not only for our clients but also for our people and the wider community. We operate with integrity, innovation, and a commitment to fostering growth and opportunity for everyone within the firm. Collaboration, professionalism, and agility define our working environment, and we strive to empower our teams to deliver excellent results while supporting their personal and professional development.

As a progressive independent firm, we are committed to operating with integrity, professionalism and innovation. Through our TSP2030 strategy, we continue to invest in our people, technology and working environment, creating opportunities for our teams to develop, grow and thrive. Collaboration, agility and continuous improvement are at the heart of our culture, and we are passionate about supporting both personal and professional development while delivering outstanding results for our clients.

The role

Thompson Smith and Puxon (TSP) is seeking an experienced and client-focused Receptionist for our Clacton office on a full-time, permanent basis.

We are looking for a professional, organised and confident individual to be the first point of contact for clients and visitors at our busy Clacton office. This is a varied and rewarding role, supporting a steady flow of walk-in clients while ensuring the office remains welcoming, well-maintained and operating efficiently.

The role combines excellent client service with reception, administrative and facilities coordination responsibilities. As the primary on-site contact for reception and facilities matters, the successful candidate will play a key role in the day-to-day running of the office and will be expected to take a proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues.

The successful Receptionist will contribute to the efficient operation of our Clacton office by providing a comprehensive service to both external and internal clients. This is a highly autonomous role that requires a confident, proactive and self-motivated individual who is comfortable working independently, taking ownership of responsibilities, and using initiative to resolve issues as they arise. We are looking for someone with a positive, can-do attitude who is willing to investigate and attempt to resolve problems as a first step, whilst knowing when to seek support or escalate matters where appropriate.

Key responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• Manage the Clacton reception effectively and efficiently.
• Coordinate facilities services within the Clacton office, ensuring the office is maintained to a high standard.
• Maintain the high standard of service offered to the firm's clients and contribute to the professional reputation of the firm.
• Take ownership of day-to-day operational issues, seeking practical solutions and escalating where necessary.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, office standards and client experience.

Reception responsibilities

• Meet and greet clients, visitors and guests in a confident, professional and welcoming manner.
• Act as the first point of contact for all visitors to the office.
• Answer, screen and direct telephone calls appropriately.
• Respond to or forward email enquiries to the relevant individual or team.
• Manage incoming and outgoing post, including distribution and franking.
• Maintain reception, waiting areas and meeting rooms to a consistently high standard.
• Prepare meeting rooms for client meetings and internal events when required.

Facilities responsibilities

• Coordinate facilities services to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the Clacton office.
• Arrange and oversee the maintenance of office equipment, building systems, alarms and security equipment, liaising with contractors, suppliers and service providers as required.
• Monitor office facilities, external areas, waste and recycling arrangements, proactively identifying and resolving issues where possible before escalating.
• Manage office, stationery and kitchen supplies, including purchasing and maintaining appropriate stock levels.
• Attend site when contractors are carrying out works and maintain up-to-date supplier and contractor records.
• Troubleshoot minor office equipment faults and support wider operational and facilities projects as required.

Health & safety responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with health and safety, fire safety and other office-related regulations.
• Conduct weekly fire alarm and emergency lighting tests and support fire evacuation procedures.
• Act as a trained Fire Marshal and as a trained First Aider for the Clacton office.
• Report and manage health and safety concerns in accordance with firm procedures.

Finance responsibilities

• Take card payments from clients visiting the Clacton office.
• Manage petty cash for the Clacton office, with support and oversight from the Accounts team in Colchester.
• Ensure accurate record-keeping and compliance with internal financial procedures.
• Previous experience as a Receptionist within a professional services environment.
• Previous Receptionist experience within a professional services environment, with exceptional customer service and client care skills.
• Proactive, solutions-focused approach with a strong can-do attitude and the confidence to investigate and resolve issues before escalating where appropriate.
• Ability to work independently, take ownership of responsibilities and use initiative to manage competing priorities.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and build positive relationships with colleagues, clients and suppliers at all levels.
• Reliable, professional and calm under pressure, with a high sense of urgency and ability to meet deadlines.
• Excellent organisational, time management and communication skills, with a strong attention to detail.
• Flexible and willing to support all aspects of office operations, regardless of the task.
• Understanding of office health and safety requirements and regulations.
• Experience liaising with contractors and external suppliers.
• Fire Marshal and/or First Aid qualification (or willingness to undertake training is essential).

What success looks like

The successful candidate will be a welcoming and professional ambassador for TSP, ensuring visitors receive an excellent experience from the moment they enter the office. They will take pride in maintaining a well-run, efficient and professional working environment, using initiative to address challenges, improve processes and support colleagues. Most importantly, they will be someone who takes ownership, embraces responsibility and approaches every task with a positive, proactive and solutions-focused mindset.

The package

We offer a competitive salary, depending on level of experience and ability.

Other benefits include:

• 22 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, with an additional 3 days for the Christmas to New Year closure (pro-rated for part time staff).
• Death in service and Group income protection.
• Workplace pension scheme with Scottish Widows after 3 months’ service, including enhanced and salary sacrifice options.
• Health cash plan and employee assistance programme.
• Firm sick pay policy.
• Opportunity for additional holiday with long service.

Equal opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all communities and backgrounds. Recruitment is based on merit, skills, and suitability for the role.