At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide essential admin support to the Executive Director and Board, ensuring smooth office operations.
- Company: Join NIFDA, a key player in the food and drink industry, fostering growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, hybrid work, 25 days leave, and a contributory pension scheme.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive environment with a focus on self-improvement.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team, making a real impact while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: 5 GCSEs or equivalent; experience in executive support is a plus but not essential.
The predicted salary is between 29500 - 29500 £ per year.
NIFDA is currently recruiting for the role of Business Support Assistant. Providing all-round administrative support for the Executive Director, Chair, and Board of Directors, the successful candidate will play a key office management role for NIFDA as well as supporting the organisation's growth.
Job Purpose: To provide all-round administrative support to both the Executive Director and Board of Directors. To support NIFDA member growth. To take responsibility for office management, project management, deadline compliance and security of documents and files.
Responsibilities:
- Be a point of contact with customers, handling enquiries and complaints aiming to provide excellent service always.
- Schedule Board meetings, prepare meeting agendas, papers, take minutes during meetings and distribute to Board members.
- Provide administrative support to the Director and manage various cluster groups.
- Maintain office correspondence including crafting routine letters and documents.
- Assist in event management for the various public and private NIFDA Events.
- Maintain and develop NIFDA databases.
- Maintain and develop the NIFDA portal (solve simple IT problems liaising with support provider as required).
- Maintain electronic filing system, ensuring processes and software are up to date, in working order and compliant with Data Protection legislation.
- Assist with key projects as directed.
- Liaise with outside agencies and governmental bodies on various projects.
PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Qualifications: a minimum of 5 GCSEs (grades A-C), or equivalent. At least three years experience providing executive-level support to a management board or committee is highly desirable but not essential if the candidate can demonstrate the appropriate skills & qualities required. Experience or knowledge of the food and drink industry or related sectors is highly desirable.
Competencies: In addition to the minimum requirements outlined above, the post holder will be able to demonstrate the following:
- Executive support experience.
- Confidentiality and discretion.
- Good telephone manner, remaining professional in all circumstances.
- Administration, organisational and clerical skills.
- Clear communication skills, multi-tasking capability and professionalism.
- Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
- Good working knowledge of social media platforms.
- Confidence, flexibility, self-motivation and persistence.
- Ability to work on own initiative.
- Ability to prioritise.
- Attention to detail, accuracy, efficiency and good time-keeping.
- Motivation to achieve work objectives in line with the requirements of the Board.
- Willingness to gain new skills and knowledge to achieve ongoing self-improvement.
The candidate must occasionally be willing to work outside office hours, e.g. early morning Board / Industry meetings and events which are held late into the evenings.
Outline Terms and Conditions:
- Total working hours 15, over the period Monday to Friday (flexible).
- Probationary period of six months.
- Company pension scheme membership (contributory).
- Company Sick Pay Scheme (following qualifying period).
- The role will be hybrid but using the office base when necessary, subject to business needs being met.
- Office parking on-site (free).
- 25 days annual leave + 11 Statutory days (pro-rata to hours worked).
- Salary £29,500 (pro-rata to hours worked).
- Deadline for applications 12 noon, Friday 5th June 2026.
Click apply now where you will be redirected to our careers page to download full application form.
Business Support Assistant JBLE1_NI in Belfast employer: Northern Ireland Food and Drink
NIFDA is an exceptional employer that values its employees by fostering a supportive and collaborative work culture. With flexible working hours, a generous leave policy, and opportunities for professional growth, the role of Business Support Assistant offers a meaningful chance to contribute to the food and drink industry while enjoying a hybrid work environment. Employees benefit from on-site parking and a contributory pension scheme, making NIFDA a rewarding place to build a career.
Contact Details:
Northern Ireland Food and Drink Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Support Assistant JBLE1_NI in Belfast
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the food and drink industry or related sectors. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching NIFDA and its projects. Show us you’re genuinely interested in supporting our growth and how your skills can make a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Whether it’s handling enquiries or taking minutes, being clear and professional is key. We want to see you shine in those interactions.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Support Assistant JBLE1_NI in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Business Support Assistant. We want to see how you can support our Executive Director and Board, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant experiences!
Show Off Your Organisational Skills:Since this role involves a lot of office management and project coordination, it’s crucial to demonstrate your organisational prowess. Share examples of how you've successfully managed multiple tasks or projects in the past – we love a good multitasker!
Be Professional Yet Approachable:When crafting your application, keep your tone professional but friendly. We’re looking for someone who can handle enquiries and complaints with grace, so let your personality shine through while maintaining that professional edge.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need to complete your application smoothly. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Northern Ireland Food and Drink
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Business Support Assistant. Familiarise yourself with the tasks mentioned in the job description, like scheduling meetings and managing office correspondence. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
Since this role requires strong organisational abilities, prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed multiple tasks or projects. Be ready to discuss how you prioritised your workload and maintained attention to detail, as these are key competencies for the position.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle customer enquiries or complaints. Think of specific scenarios where you’ve had to deal with challenging situations and how you resolved them. This will highlight your capability to provide excellent service and maintain professionalism under pressure.
✨Demonstrate Your Tech Savviness
As the role involves maintaining databases and using Microsoft Office, be prepared to discuss your experience with these tools. If you have any knowledge of social media platforms or IT troubleshooting, mention that too. Showing that you're comfortable with technology will give you an edge in the interview.
