Business Support Graduate

Location: Chase House, Houghton-le-Spring

Reporting to: Business Support Manager

Overall objectives

To support the successful delivery of OnPath Energy’s renewable energy projects and business operations through the provision of high-quality administrative, project coordination and stakeholder support. As a graduate role, the position offers exposure to a wide range of business functions, development projects and community engagement activities, providing a foundation for professional growth and future career progression within the organisation.

Primary contact

• Act as a primary point of contact for a range of business functions, including Community & Sustainability, Commercial and Finance.
• Provide administrative support, including coordinating document approvals, circulating documentation for signature and maintaining records within the company’s document management system.
• Support the planning and delivery of internal and external events, including project opening celebrations, community consultation events, public exhibitions and industry or agricultural shows.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal stakeholders, external partners and members of the local community where appropriate.
• Ensure accurate record keeping and support the efficient administration of business activities and stakeholder engagement initiatives.
• Work closely with the Land & BD team in relation to the development of projects, including preparation of documents, including key review reports in line with our project management risk framework (PMF).
• Develop understanding of prospects by being involved from pre-Key Review A and eventually through to project-stage.

Project support

• Support project teams with the coordination and administration of key project activities, including arranging meetings, maintaining project schedules, preparing documentation for project reviews and assisting with budget reporting.
• Coordinate community liaison and panel meetings with local stakeholders, communities and PointNorth in support of renewable energy projects.
• Provide administrative support for planning applications, including preparing and formatting submission documents, managing supplementary information and maintaining project filing structures.
• Maintain accurate and effective document management practices, ensuring compliance with company procedures and document control standards.
• Contribute to project meetings by sharing knowledge, supporting team objectives and promoting consistent working practices and continuous improvement across the business.
• Maintain and update project information within the Planning Permission Online Database (PPOD) as required.
• Work closely with the Project Support Coordinator to ensure project records, review dates, change controls and planning milestones are accurately maintained and communicated.
• Raise purchase orders and process invoices in accordance with company procedures and project requirements.
• Champion best practice in document production, ensuring all submissions are accurate, professionally presented and aligned with OnPath Energy branding and template standards.

Business support

• Coordinate business travel arrangements through the shared travel mailbox, ensuring bookings are made accurately and in line with company requirements.
• Arrange catering and hospitality requirements for meetings, events and stakeholder visits as required.
• Provide a professional and welcoming front-of-house service, including greeting visitors, managing office enquiries and responding to telephone calls in a timely and courteous manner.
• Manage and maintain the company complaints database, ensuring complaints are accurately recorded, monitored and closed out in collaboration with Community Managers and other stakeholders.
• Liaise with internal teams and IT colleagues to support the ongoing maintenance, improvement and development of the complaints management system.
• Monitor complaints trends and data quality, supporting continuous improvement and effective stakeholder engagement processes.

The responsibilities outlined above are not exhaustive. The role holder will be expected to provide flexible support across the Business Support team and the wider organisation, including assisting with team priorities, contributing to business efficiency initiatives and providing cover during periods of annual leave or absence.

Working environment

Office based with opportunity to work from home in line with the flexible working policy. There will also be a reasonable requirement for business travel including visiting other offices and attending community engagement or networking events.

There is also the opportunity to get involved in wider initiatives within the business, including social and fundraising or health and wellbeing as examples.

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

• Proficient in the use of Microsoft 365 applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and SharePoint.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities, adapting approach and workload to meet changing business needs and deadlines.

Other

• Demonstrates the ability to work both proactively and responsively, adapting priorities to meet changing business and project requirements.
• Maintains a high level of professionalism and discretion when handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Highly organised, with strong attention to detail and the ability to deliver accurate work to tight deadlines.
• Capable of managing multiple priorities and working effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• A collaborative team player who contributes positively to team objectives and business success.
• Proactive and enthusiastic, with a willingness to learn, develop new skills and take on additional responsibilities as required.
• Resilient and adaptable, with the ability to embrace change and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Flexible and responsive, demonstrating a positive approach to evolving business needs.
• Comfortable working predominantly from an office-based environment and supporting a collaborative team culture.
• Willing to travel to other offices, with travel and accommodation provided where required.
• Demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement, actively seeking opportunities to enhance processes, ways of working and outcomes through innovation, including the effective and responsible use of AI and other technologies.

Join us in our mission.

Help us create a greener future together. Find out why wind and solar energy are crucial for powering a sustainable future and how you can be a part of the renewable energy transformation that will benefit communities, businesses, and the environment. Join us on our journey, together to a greener future.