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- Tasks: Provide essential secretarial support and assist with various administrative tasks.
- Company: Join Barnett Waddingham, a growing firm with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous holiday, and a range of employee perks.
- Other info: Flexible working patterns and excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team and contribute to exciting projects.
- Qualifications: Previous secretarial experience and proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced secretary, corporate receptionist or office administrator looking for a new, exciting opportunity? We have an exciting opportunity for a Secretary to join our Birmingham office as we continue to grow following the Howden acquisition. This is offered as a fixed-term contract to 31st December 2026 - may be the opportunity to extend and/or apply for other internal opportunities.
The role of our Secretarial Services hub area is to provide central and dedicated secretarial administration to all business areas, employees, and Partners at Barnett Waddingham. In order to provide these services our Secretarial network includes various roles, with all positions united in delivery of professional key support aligning with the growth and success of firmwide business objectives. This Secretary position is part of the national central services team with members located in various BW offices, delivering key and fundamental administration, and responding to helpdesk support requests. In addition, this position will help support other secretarial service teams or projects, where required, assisting the wider business area objective of delivering high quality services to the business.
A snapshot of your day:
- Processing Incoming/Outgoing post, scanning of documents and distribution to relevant people or teams, ensuring best and compliant practice of mail handling.
- Claiming and processing Secretarial helpdesk service requests including courier bookings; business Travel and accommodation bookings; creating and receipting of purchase orders; digital and print document preparation and processing (printing, sorting, formatting); billing requests; and ad hoc small routine admin/data entry projects.
- Central Switchboard Telephony support.
- Secretarial Team Meeting arrangements; booking/calendar invites, agenda preparation with local team, taking minutes and sending out in timely manner.
- Support senior team members with larger projects/pieces of work, when required. And aid personal skills development.
- Shadow cover support for other Secretarial teams and any other reasonable tasks and occasional travel to other offices, as advised.
We would love to hear from you if you have:
- Previous secretarial and/or office administration experience in a similar role.
- Intermediate level skills in Microsoft Office 365; Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint.
- Experience with phone and internal messaging systems (e.g. MS Teams).
- Experience using database systems and customer service ticket requests systems.
- Discretion and confidentiality.
- Experience of working in professional services or financial services environment, or the ability to demonstrate a clear understanding of culture, behaviour and conduct required is desirable.
- The ability to be adaptable and tailored approach in providing assistance and support to a larger Secretarial Team.
- Previous experience in travel booking and expenses reconciliation preferred, but not necessary.
- Ability to maintain professionalism in all matters, as well as being flexible in working pattern.
What's in it for you:
- Competitive discretionary annual bonus.
- Core benefits paid for by BW including life assurance, group income protection, private medical cover and 25 days holiday per year with holiday trading.
- A generous pension scheme where we contribute 8% of your salary from day one of your employment.
- Employee Assistance Programme to support you and your family through any concerns or challenges you may experience.
- A comprehensive range of voluntary benefits to suit you (and your family) including an electric car leasing scheme, tech scheme, cycle to work scheme, dental cover, healthcare cash plan, health assessments, critical illness cover, extension of private medical cover or life assurance to family members, Sports Allowance – we pay up to 50% of your gym/sports membership (up to £50 pm), travel insurance, paid volunteering, and a broad range of discounts at hundreds of retailers including supermarkets, fitness centres, travel and leisure companies.
Accessibility: We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you reasonable adjustments could support you, or if you would like more information on accessibility, please click here.
Not quite the right opportunity for you this time? For more about us and other Careers at BW, please click here.
We kindly ask recruitment agencies to not send speculative CVs. Should we need assistance, we will reach out. All enquiries should be directed to careers@barnett-waddingham.co.uk.
Secretary in Birmingham employer: Barnett Waddingham
Contact Detail:
Barnett Waddingham Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Secretary in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn or at industry events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that Secretary role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the company and its culture. We want to show that we’re not just a good fit for the role, but also for the team. Tailor your answers to reflect how you align with their values.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family. We can help each other out by giving constructive feedback and boosting confidence before the big day.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the position. Let’s keep the conversation going and remind them why we’re the best fit!
We think you need these skills to ace Secretary in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Secretary role. Highlight your previous secretarial or office administration experience, especially any relevant tasks you've handled that align with what we're looking for.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're excited about this opportunity and how your background makes you a great fit for our team. Keep it professional but let your personality show through!
Showcase Your Tech Skills: Since we value tech-savvy candidates, be sure to mention your proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 and any other relevant software. If you've used internal messaging systems like MS Teams, give us the details!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Barnett Waddingham
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Secretary as outlined in the job description. Familiarise yourself with tasks like processing post, managing helpdesk requests, and supporting team projects. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Tech Skills
Since the role requires intermediate skills in Microsoft Office 365 and experience with internal messaging systems, be prepared to discuss your proficiency with these tools. Consider bringing examples of how you've used them in previous roles, especially in a professional services environment, to highlight your capability.
✨Demonstrate Discretion and Professionalism
As a Secretary, maintaining confidentiality is crucial. Be ready to share examples from your past experiences where you handled sensitive information or situations with discretion. This will reassure the interviewers that you understand the importance of professionalism in their workplace.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, the types of projects you might support, or how success is measured in this role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.