Part Time Business Support Administrator in Chelmsford

Fixed Term, Part Time £25,959 - £28,786 per annum (full time equivalent) Location: Chelmsford Working Style: Anywhere worker Contract: Fixed term, 29.6 hours per week until 31/12/2026. Salary: £20,767.20 - £23,028.20 per annum (pro rata).

Overview

Essex County Council (ECC) is one of the largest and most dynamic local authorities in the UK. As part of a significant transformational change, the Business Support team works in specialised Business Centre Support Teams and Service Support Teams to promote specialised knowledge and improve service and efficiencies. The role is an Anywhere Worker position, with remote and office‑based working – you’ll be expected to attend County Hall, Chelmsford for up to four days per week, with remote working on other days.

The Role

As a Business Support Administrator, you’ll deliver a wide range of administrative and business support activities, proactively managing your workload and using your judgement to resolve queries from internal and external customers. You’ll become a trusted point of contact for colleagues and stakeholders, using clear communication and strong organisational skills to provide professional, solution‑focused support. Your day‑to‑day work includes word processing, minute‑taking, data entry, updating databases, call handling and managing shared inboxes. You’ll provide coaching and mentoring to Business Support Assistants and Apprentices, support their development, and maintain high standards across the team. You may also support the line manager in ensuring smooth service operation. You will support on‑site and reception activities, serving as a welcoming presence for staff, visitors and customers. This involves reception duties, managing enquiries, handling petty cash and keeping the site efficient. Flexibility is key. You will adapt to changing service needs, support different workflows and step into on‑site responsibilities as required. Your calm, organised and responsive approach will help meet operational needs.

Accountabilities

• Providing high quality, complex business support activities within a business centre or service support team.
• Managing time effectively to meet deadlines and SLAs and proactively communicating with customers and/or Business Centre Manager(s) to update on progress.
• Resolving internal and customer queries whilst alerting customers and/or line managers to urgent or complex issues when required.
• Providing advice and guidance to Business Support Assistants and acting as their Coach/Mentor and first point of escalation for unusual or complex customer work requests.
• Maintaining up‑to‑date knowledge of processes, corporate systems and standards, and sharing useful information with the Business Support team.
• Demonstrating effective communication and engagement with customers, Business Centre Managers, Service Support Managers, Senior Business Support Administrators and Business Support Administrators to ensure an effective business support service.
• Understanding the importance of continuous improvement and remaining aware of potential improvements.
• Promoting on‑site collaboration and leading by example in flexible working.

About You

• Organised and reliable, with good attention to detail.
• Friendly, approachable and confident in communication.
• Proactive in managing workload and providing high‑quality support.
• Flexible and adaptable, able to move between tasks, workflows and on‑site activity.
• Supportive of others, confident in offering guidance or mentoring when needed.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Educated to RQF Level 2 (GCSE), including Maths and English, with an NVQ Administration Level 2 or equivalent by experience.
• Evidence of the ability to develop skills and knowledge within the role.
• Demonstrable experience and competence of MS Office applications and their practical application.
• Ability to use computerised systems with a high level of speed and accuracy.
• Previous experience of managing electronic or hard copy filing systems.
• Ability to communicate in a manner that is easily understood and tailored to meet the audience’s needs.

Benefits

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

Equal Opportunities

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements of the role.

DBS Check

If your role requires a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained.

Safeguarding

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.