Senior Administrative Assistant

Somerset Council; Shepton Mallet; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

LGPS (Local Government Pension Scheme)

Flexible & hybrid working

Health and wellbeing support

Paid volunteering opportunities

25 days annual leave

Job summary

Somerset Council, based at Charterhouse Outdoor Centre, seeks a Senior Administration Assistant to guide schools and groups through bookings and learning experiences. You will handle enquiries, bookings, and records with a focus on friendly, efficient service.

Primarily at Charterhouse, with occasional work at SSE Outdoors centres. The role supports safeguarding, health and safety, invoicing, and general administration to ensure smooth operations for children and young people.

Qualifications

• GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and Maths.
• Experience providing administrative support in a busy environment.
• Experience delivering excellent customer service and building positive relationships.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Experience maintaining accurate records, spreadsheets and administrative systems.
• Knowledge of administrative processes and customer service best practice.
• Understanding of safeguarding, health and safety, equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Good IT skills, including the use of spreadsheets and office systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• High attention to detail, with the ability to follow processes and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work effectively with colleagues, customers and partner organisations.

Responsibilities

• Help schools and groups enjoy memorable outdoor learning experiences from booking to arrival.
• Provide friendly, efficient support to customers and be a welcoming first point of contact.
• Keep bookings, records and administration running smoothly behind the scenes.
• Support safeguarding, health and safety, and the day-to-day operation of our centres.
• Assist with financial administration, including invoicing, payments and timesheets.
• Help promote our centres and build strong relationships with customers and partners.
• Work as part of a supportive team to deliver outstanding experiences for children and young people.
• Champion equality, diversity and inclusion, creating a welcoming environment for all.
• Where there is an operational pressure some assistance to the other Charterhouse teams (Hospitality/Domestic etc) may occasionally be required.

Skills

Organisational skills

Customer service

IT skills

Communication

Confidentiality

Education

GCSEs including English and Maths

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

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Salary: Grade 14, Ranging from £26,016 to £26,847 per annum.

Contract:Permanent. This role is based primarily at our Charterhouse Outdoor Centre with occasional work at the other SSE Outdoors centres.

About the Role

As a Senior Administration Assistant, you'll be at the heart of helping schools and groups access memorable outdoor learning experiences.

You'll support customers from their first enquiry through to booking, providing friendly, efficient service and ensuring every interaction is smooth and professional.

Working closely with colleagues across our centres, you'll coordinate bookings, maintain accurate records, support day-to-day administration, and help keep operations running smoothly.

If you're organised, customer-focused and enjoy building positive relationships, this is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference behind the scenes of life-changing outdoor experiences.

How You'll Make a Difference

• Help schools and groups enjoy memorable outdoor learning experiences from booking to arrival.
• Provide friendly, efficient support to customers and be a welcoming first point of contact.
• Keep bookings, records and administration running smoothly behind the scenes.
• Support safeguarding, health and safety, and the day-to-day operation of our centres.
• Assist with financial administration, including invoicing, payments and timesheets.
• Help promote our centres and build strong relationships with customers and partners.
• Work as part of a supportive team to deliver outstanding experiences for children and young people.
• Champion equality, diversity and inclusion, creating a welcoming environment for all.
• Where there is an operational pressure some assistance to the other Charterhouse teams (Hospitality/Domestic etc) may occasionally be required.

What You'll Bring

• GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and Maths.
• Experience providing administrative support in a busy environment.
• Experience delivering excellent customer service and building positive relationships.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Experience maintaining accurate records, spreadsheets and administrative systems.
• Knowledge of administrative processes and customer service best practice.
• Understanding of safeguarding, health and safety, equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Good IT skills, including the use of spreadsheets and office systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• High attention to detail, with the ability to follow processes and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work effectively with colleagues, customers and partner organisations.

Why Join Us?

At Somerset Council, we're a progressive organisation committed to improving lives and shaping better services for our communities. Based in one of England's most beautiful counties, it's a great place to build your career and enjoy an excellent quality of life.

• Generous annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchaseadditional leave.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK's mostenhancedand secure pension schemes.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangementstosupportwork-life balance, where service needs allow.
• Health and wellbeing support, including access to confidential employee assistance services.
• Paid volunteering opportunities, helping you make a difference both inside and outside of work.
• 25 day's annual leave (additionalto bank holidays).
• This role is based primarily at our Charterhouse Outdoor Centre with occasional work at the other SSE Outdoors centres.
• Interviews Scheduled week beginning 9th November.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for VISA sponsorship.

We believe diversity makes us stronger and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, whose unique perspectives help us better serve the people of Somerset.