At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide essential secretarial support and administration to our Birmingham office.
- Company: Join Barnett Waddingham, a growing firm with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous holiday, and a range of health benefits.
- Other info: Flexible working patterns and excellent career development opportunities await you.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team and contribute to exciting projects.
- Qualifications: Previous secretarial or office admin experience is preferred.
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 a 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.
- 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.
Follow Barnett Waddingham on LinkedIn.
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, Office Administrator, FTC employer: Barnett Waddingham
Barnett Waddingham is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and well-being. With competitive benefits including a generous pension scheme, private medical cover, and a range of voluntary perks, employees in our Birmingham office can thrive both personally and professionally while contributing to the success of our national secretarial services team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Secretary, Office Administrator, FTC
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn or other platforms. Let them know you're on the lookout for a Secretary role, and who knows? They might just have the inside scoop on opportunities at Barnett Waddingham.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research common questions for secretarial roles and practice your responses. We want you to shine when discussing your experience with phone systems and handling admin tasks.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your adaptability! In your conversations, highlight how you've tailored your support in previous roles. This will resonate well with the team at Barnett Waddingham, who value flexibility and professionalism.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the Barnett Waddingham family.
We think you need these skills to ace Secretary, Office Administrator, FTC
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your secretarial and office administration experience, especially in professional services or financial environments, as this will catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're excited about this role and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our team. Keep it concise but engaging!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to mention your experience with phone systems, database management, and any relevant software. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their adaptability and professionalism in their applications.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Barnett Waddingham
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the job description. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities like processing post, handling helpdesk requests, and supporting team projects. This will help you demonstrate how your experience aligns with what they’re looking for.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Secretary, strong communication is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated in previous roles, whether it’s through phone systems or internal messaging platforms like MS Teams. Be ready to discuss how you handle professional interactions and maintain confidentiality.
✨Demonstrate Adaptability
The role requires flexibility and adaptability. Think of instances where you’ve had to adjust your approach to meet changing demands or support different teams. Highlighting your ability to pivot and assist in various tasks will show that you’re a team player who can thrive in a dynamic environment.
✨Prepare Questions to Ask
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, the company culture, and potential projects you might be involved in. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.
