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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support senior colleagues with administrative tasks and be the first point of contact for enquiries.
- Company: Join a caring community at SAMS in beautiful Oban.
- Benefits: Flexible working, shopping discounts, training opportunities, and a supportive culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in administration, strong organisational skills, and a customer-focused attitude.
- Other info: Ongoing training and excellent career growth opportunities await you.
The predicted salary is between 24454 - 25138 £ per year.
Location: SAMS, Oban
Contract Type: Open-ended
Working Pattern: Full Time – 37 hours per week (Monday to Friday)
Salary Range: £24,454.04 - £25,138.00 per annum
Closing date: 23rd February 2026
The Role
This is a varied role, where you will be working with senior colleagues to deliver specific administrative tasks efficiently and to a high standard. For your own portfolio of responsibility (e.g. room allocation, tenant administration, etc.), you will deal with colleagues, students, and external organisations. When providing support in Reception, you will be the first point of contact for many staff, students, and visitors with a wide variety of enquiries.
Our Ideal Candidate
Our ideal candidate is someone who already has experience in administration roles, is organised, flexible, can successfully prioritise their workload, and has a clear ‘customer support’ approach. You will be required to behave diplomatically and occasionally assertively, according to the tasks at hand. As a member of our Reception team, you will present a smart, professional, ‘can do’ attitude, even when under pressure from competing tasks. Whilst minute taking and time management training would be advantageous, SAMS offers ongoing training opportunities according to need.
Employee Benefits
Our relatively small, caring community is an ideal environment for making friends, forming collaborations, and supporting each other to do the work that we really care about. Oban and surrounding areas provide a fantastic base to live and work, and we offer a wide range of employee benefits, support, and inclusive culture, making SAMS a great place to work.
We are proud to provide a wide variety of benefits year-round, offering options to best support our staff, such as:
- flexible & hybrid working options
- purchase of additional annual leave
- shopping discounts
- Cycle 2 Work scheme
- purchases of technology through salary sacrifice
- Payroll Giving
- Pensions Plus
- access to portals to support health and wellbeing
- a sabbatical scheme
- free car parking with access to electronic charging points
- access to a number of training & development courses
Additionally, SAMS encourages and recognises excellence among staff through various recognition and reward arrangements. We are striving to constantly develop and expand the benefits and offers for our colleagues.
Interested?
We would love to hear from you. If you have queries on the job and would like to talk these through before applying, please email these through, in the first instance, to HR@sams.ac.uk. Applications must include CV and Cover Letter and should be sent electronically to recruitment@sams.ac.uk quoting Job Ref. ‘D24/25.AM’ in the subject heading. Closing date for application is 23rd February 2026 - Interviews to be held shortly thereafter.
Please note, we are unfortunately unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
We are a Disability Confident Employer. Where a candidate requires reasonable adjustments as part of the application process, we encourage you to let us know. Where applicants with a disability meet the essential criteria for the job, you will be given the opportunity to demonstrate your skills, talent, and abilities at interview.
SAMS’ commitment to gender equality has been recognised, as our institute was presented with an Athena SWAN (Scientific Women’s Academic Network) Bronze Award and is currently working towards Investors in Diversity accreditation. SAMS follows Fair Work Practices.
SAMS Group is committed to being an equal and open organisation. Diversity and inclusion are important to us, and we strive to remove any barriers that may prevent people from applying to join us. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, and from all who share our values and can help us to broaden our knowledge and range of ideas.
Administrator/Receptionist in Oban employer: Scottish Association For Marine Science
Contact Detail:
Scottish Association For Marine Science Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Administrator/Receptionist in Oban
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company before your interview! Research SAMS, its values, and its culture. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their community.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your customer support skills! Since you'll be the first point of contact, think about how you can demonstrate a friendly and professional attitude during the interview. Role-play with a friend to get comfortable.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare examples from your past experience that highlight your organisational skills and ability to prioritise tasks. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers clearly.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s a great way to reiterate your interest in joining the SAMS team.
We think you need these skills to ace Administrator/Receptionist in Oban
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Administrator/Receptionist role. Highlight your relevant experience in administration and customer support, and don’t forget to showcase your organisational skills!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for our team at SAMS. Mention specific examples of how you've handled similar tasks or challenges in the past.
Follow the Application Instructions: We love it when applicants pay attention to detail! Make sure to include the job reference ‘D24/25.AM’ in your email subject line and send your application to the right address. It shows you can follow instructions!
Show Your Personality: While professionalism is key, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone with a ‘can do’ attitude, so show us that you’re enthusiastic about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Scottish Association For Marine Science
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Administrator/Receptionist role. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities like room allocation and tenant administration. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.
✨Showcase Your Customer Support Skills
Since you'll be the first point of contact for many, it's crucial to highlight your customer support experience. Prepare examples of how you've handled enquiries or resolved issues in previous roles. This will illustrate your ability to maintain a professional attitude, even under pressure.
✨Demonstrate Organisation and Flexibility
The job requires strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise tasks. Think of specific instances where you've successfully managed competing priorities. Sharing these experiences will show that you can adapt and thrive in a dynamic environment.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, ongoing training opportunities, or the culture at SAMS. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the workplace is the right fit for you.
