Lead Business Support Executive

About the CBI

Founded 60 years ago and representing some of the biggest names in business, household brands and globally traded corporations that employ people in all sectors and across every region and nation of the UK, the CBI is the voice of business. The CBI represents 850 members who themselves comprise 1,100 separate registered companies and 150,000 trade association members. Find out more about some of the businesses in membership here.

The CBI is committed to ensuring a safe, supportive and inclusive people centric culture where our people can excel to achieve their full potential and be their best authentic selves in an environment where ethical values and respectful behaviours are at the very heart of who we are in our everyday interactions.

Role Summary

We are currently looking for a highly organised, flexible and proactive administration professional to join as lead of our central team of Business Support Executives in this key enabling role in supporting the CBI to achieve its mission and its strategy.

This is a critical time for the UK, economically, politically, and for business. With so much on the line, the need for the strongest possible business voice has never been more important.

At the CBI, we are here to help to raise the voice of business, cut through the noise, and shape the UK’s future success.

Our new mission is built around sustainable growth, and through our policy work we’re focusing on the four big transitions the UK economy needs to achieve to deliver that growth:

• To lead the global race to net zero and help the UK’s economy to decarbonise.
• To respond to the changing nature of the future of work and skills.
• To manage the transformation being driven by the technological & innovation revolution.
• To equip the UK – its nations and regions − to be a globally competitive business environment.

The Lead Business Support Executive reports to the Chief of Staff. The Business Support Executives work as a pooled resource, providing support for directors across the CBI, and supporting on planned project and day-to-day operations and administration.

The role of the Lead Business Support Executive is to act as part of this team while managing the other Business Support Executives, working with the Chief of Staff to ensure the resource the team provides is focused on the CBI’s strategic and commercial objectives, and ensure the smooth and effective running of the team.

This role is a Pay band 4, with a range of £48-50K and is on an initial 9-month contract.

Key Responsibilities

• Line management of the Central Administration Team, including monitoring performance and acting as the escalation point for queries within the team
• In coordination with the Chief of Staff, ensure the Central Administration Team’s priorities and workplan are aligned to the CBI’s strategic objectives.
• Work with the Chief of Staff to ensure the team’s operational processes work to provide a smooth and efficient service, meeting the needs of the CBI.
• Provide general administrative assistance to various teams in line with the parameters for support set out in the operating principles of the Central Administration Team.
• Support the diary management of CBI directors as required to support key external and internal meetings.
• Act as interface with offices of senior business, stakeholder and government contacts
• Use the CBI’s CRM system to capture all the relevant information on meetings, tasks and projects supported, ensuring administration is kept up-to-date and maintained to the highest standard.
• Help to refresh, analyse and organise data sets on our CRM system.
• Cover Member Lounge management duties as required.
• Be the first point of contact when required for visitors to the organisation
• Support, organise and coordinate key committees, meetings and events as assigned, including supporting the securing of delegates/attendees, room set up, and preparing minutes and readouts.
• Manage and triage incoming queries and administrative requests from colleagues as appropriate.
• Provide administrative and research support on assigned projects and reports.
• Coordinate and support briefings.
• Send key outbound communications, both routine and project-based.
• Manage subscriptions.
• Maintain accurate filing systems in line with organisational policies.
• Other administrative reasonable duties as required.

Knowledge & Experience

What an individual must know or understand to be able to fulfil the role’s requirements

• An aptitude for people management and an ability to motivate and inspire others
• Excellent organisational skills and an ability to effectively prioritise
• Ability to work independently, as part of a team and with different stakeholders
• Ability to multi-task, remain calm and work under pressure in a fast-paced environment
• Attention to detail and good problem-solving skills
• Experience of project management or working on complex projects in an efficient and methodical manner, or an aptitude for this with a desire to develop a project management skillset.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite
• Experience of using CRM systems and an understanding of standard data practices
• Basic understanding of business and interest in current affairs would be advantageous but not essential