Receptionist/Administrator

Are you a conscientious and hard-working individual?  Do you work with a high level of professionalism in everything that you do?  Are you keen to join a highly successful and inspirational company? 

Due to the promotion of the current post-holder, Leigh Academies Trust have a truly exciting opportunity to appoint a Receptionist/Administrator to work at our Head Office based in Strood from September 2018.  We are a medium sized multi-academy trust with academies located across Kent and South East London, currently comprised of 18 academies and continuing to expand in years to come. 

As Receptionist/Administrator, you will be the ‘face’ of Leigh Academies Trust – you’ll be the first point of contact for many members of Leigh Academies Trust and external stakeholders.  Applicants should be professional, personable and committed to providing an excellent service on behalf of Leigh Academies Trust, and above all else our appointed candidate will have a positive work ethic and can-do attitude.  If you're as excited by this opportunity as we are, we'd love to hear from you! 

The vast majority of services that we provide are operated ‘in-house’ including HR, Finance, Business, IT and Executive Support, and all departments moved into brand new, modern offices in 2017.  The Receptionist/Administrator position is pivotal to the smooth running of our central office and our appointed candidate will embark on an Apprenticeship course, gaining a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification during their time in post. 

Apprenticeship Summary

Annual wage:  £10,000 per annumHoliday allowance: 25 days per annum plus bank holidaysWorking week:  Monday - Friday, 8.00am – 4.30pmTotal hours per week: 37 (including the 20% training element of the Apprenticeship)Apprenticeship duration:  12 monthsAnticipated start date:  early September 2018Apprenticeship level:  Advanced Level Apprenticeship (Level 3)Apprenticeship standard:  Business & AdministrationPositions:  1 availableDesired entry qualifications: 5 GCSEs (ideally A* - C) including Maths and English

Future prospects:  This Apprenticeship could be the start of a very promising and career within the wider business and administration remit.  We have every intention to offer a permanent contract following successful performance and completion of the Level 3 course with future opportunities to extend your training with a higher level Apprenticeship programme.  We offer in-house Continuing Professional Development and you’ll be part of a highly experienced and efficient Executive Team – you’ll be learning from the very best!

Key Duties:  During your Apprenticeship, we will support you to work towards the following competencies;

• Present a professional, welcoming service, greeting all visitors and LAT staff
• Ensure the reception area is manned at all times
• Maintain security by issuing visitors’ badges
• Answer, screen and forward incoming telephone calls answering queries where possible and redirecting appropriately
• Take delivery of incoming mail and distribute to relevant members of staff/pigeon holes in a timely manner
• Sort and attach appropriate postage to outgoing mail and prepare for collection by Royal Mail
• Maintain a computerised reservations system for the booking of meeting rooms and hot-desks
• Liaise effectively with all site staff including cleaning and catering personnel to ensure the offices, meeting rooms and common areas of the Trust office building are maintained to a high standard
• Assist the Trust Executive team with various administrative duties including photocopying, scanning, shredding and filing, and distribution of correspondence and marketing mailshots
• Ensure that there is adequate stock of Trust information in reception including newsletters and prospectuses
• Monitor office supplies and place orders where necessary
• Update academy websites with detail from the Trust website including newsletters and announcements
• Liaise with LAT’s catering team to arrange working lunches on behalf of the Executive Team

Essential skills:

• Excellent organisational and planning skills with outstanding attention to detail
• Demonstrate a high level of initiative
• Computer literacy in usual office applications
• Ability to work on own initiative
• Committed and enthusiastic
• Excellent attendance and time-keeping record

Diversity at our core:  As a Trust we are passionate about diversity and recognise that as individuals we all bring something unique to the role regardless of age, gender, race, beliefs or disabilities which is why we treat all of our people equally, without compromise.

The academy is committed to safeguarding children and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check.  Our commitment to safeguarding is underpinned by robust processes and checks which are in place across the Trust.