Reception & Office Administrator (Maternity Cover)

We are seeking a professional, organised, and reliable individual to provide temporary reception and office support cover in our London office. This is an excellent opportunity to join a dynamic, fast‑paced corporate environment, delivering high‑quality front‑of‑house and administrative support during a period of cover. Reporting to the Operations Manager, you will provide hands‑on support across core operational and administrative functions, working closely with the London team and wider practice groups. The primary focus of the role is to ensure the smooth day‑to‑day running of the London office.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the reception desk in a professional and welcoming manner
• Greet visitors, manage sign‑in procedures, and direct guests appropriately
• Answer, screen, and route incoming telephone calls efficiently and courteously
• Maintain accurate visitor logs and reception records
• Ensure the reception area is kept tidy, welcoming, and professional at all times
• Act as the first point of contact for staff, clients, and external visitors

Administrative & Office Support

• Provide comprehensive administrative support to multiple departments as required
• Manage incoming and outgoing post, couriers, and deliveries
• Maintain organised filing systems and ensure proper records management
• Assist with scheduling, diary coordination, and meeting arrangements
• Prepare documents, presentations, and correspondence
• Support general office duties including printing, photocopying, and scanning
• Liaise professionally with internal stakeholders and external contacts
• Undertake ad hoc administrative tasks to support the wider team and office operations

Operational Support

• Support day‑to‑day office operations to ensure continuity during the cover period
• Demonstrate awareness of office health, safety, and security procedures, escalating issues appropriately

Required

• Proven experience in a reception, front‑of‑house, or office support role
• Strong administrative skills with experience supporting multiple stakeholders
• Excellent communication skills with a professional telephone manner
• Confident user of Microsoft Office and general systems (Outlook, Calendars, Word, Excel, PowerPoint; Copilot experience advantageous)
• Highly organised with strong time‑management and prioritisation skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast‑paced environment
• Professional appearance, demeanour, and customer‑focused approach
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build rapport quickly
• Reliable, punctual, and detail‑oriented

Preferred

• Experience working in a temporary or cover role
• Familiarity with diary management and scheduling tools
• Knowledge of standard office procedures, protocols, and best practices

This is a temporary position with an anticipated start date of 15 June, running until the end of November 2026. The successful candidate will be required to work onsite.

We welcome applications from individuals with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable adjustment in relation to any of the above, please email jobs@jsheld.com and include “Applicant Adjustment” within the subject line with your request and contact information.

J.S. Held is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.