Administrative Lead (WDB programme) in Leeds

E&J (Eville & Jones) is a major provider of Official Controls to the Food Standards Agency. We also deliver a growing portfolio of services across both the public and private sectors, including Export Certification, portal inspection, training, and consultancy. We are seeking to recruit an Administrative Lead to play a pivotal role in the delivery of E&J’s Wild Dead Bird Programme, providing senior‑level administrative oversight and coordination on behalf of the Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA). The programme is a critical component of the UK’s Avian Influenza surveillance and detection system.

The Role

This is a senior administrative position responsible for leading the end‑to‑end coordination of reporting, collection, and data management activities within the programme. The role combines hands‑on administration with oversight, quality assurance, and operational support, ensuring that all activity is completed accurately, within strict contractual timeframes, and in full compliance with protocol. Working closely with Operations Managers and Resource Coordinators, the Administrative Lead will act as a central point of expertise and accountability, supporting data integrity, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement across the programme, and reporting back on key monthly KPI’s.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the receipt, review, and accurate logging of incoming reports across multiple data sources and systems.
• Assess reports for completeness, relevance, and viability, making informed decisions on valid case allocation to the national collection network.
• Maintain comprehensive, up‑to‑date tracking records, monitoring allocations, outcomes, timeliness, and exceptions.
• Provide quality assurance of data throughout the process, identifying discrepancies, trends, or anomalies and taking corrective action.
• Ensure full compliance with data protection legislation, confidentiality requirements, and organisational policies.
• Act as a senior point of contact for internal teams, providing guidance, resolving issues, and supporting effective decision‑making.
• Record laboratory results, complete data searches, and produce accurate reporting as required.
• Manage and respond to complex live and historic enquiries with professionalism and authority.
• Handle high‑volume communications efficiently, prioritising workload in a fast‑paced environment.
• Liaise with members of the public, laboratories, collectors, and external stakeholders to obtain information and provide clear updates.

Skills and Experience Required

• Significant experience in a senior administrative, coordination, or operations support role.
• Proven ability to manage and assure high volumes of data with exceptional accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong experience validating, cross‑checking, and controlling information from multiple sources.
• Advanced user of Microsoft Excel and Word, with confidence handling complex spreadsheets.
• Excellent organisational, time‑management, and prioritisation skills.
• Confident and effective communicator, able to engage with internal stakeholders, external partners, and the public.
• Ability to work autonomously, make sound decisions, and remain resilient under pressure.
• Proactive and analytical mindset, with a commitment to continuous improvement and high standards.
• Strong team player who takes ownership and sees tasks through to completion.
• Comfortable working to strict deadlines and following structured processes and governance frameworks.

The role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Candidates must have full right to work in the UK.

Salary and Benefits

• Salary - £30,000pa
• 23 days holiday (increasing each year to a maximum of 25 days) plus 8 bank holidays
• Company pension scheme
• Reward and Recognition Scheme
• Salary sacrifice car scheme
• Perkbox scheme – a variety of discounts and benefits
• Free car parking
• Employee Assistance Programme/Financial wellbeing service
• Death in service/accident cover

This is a full‑time role working 40 hours per week – Monday to Friday. The role can be fully office based or hybrid - our Head Office location is in Leeds (Thorpe Park, LS15). There will be a requirement to cover some weekend/Bank Holiday days too (approximately 11 days a year).

Closing date 24 April 2026