Business Support Officer - People and Culture in Reading

Business Support Officer - People and Culture

Application Deadline: 27 September 2026

Department: People & Culture

Employment Type: Permanent - Part Time

Location: Home based / Reading

Compensation: £26,663 - £31,368 / year

Description

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE) empowers young people to develop the skills, confidence, and resilience they need to succeed in life.

We are looking for a highly organised and proactive Business Support & Organisational Development Administrator to join our People & Culture Team. This is a varied and rewarding role that combines office administration, facilities coordination, organisational development support, and stakeholder management.

If you enjoy managing multiple priorities, providing excellent customer service, and ensuring the smooth running of office and team operations, we'd love to hear from you.

As the Business Support & Organisational Development Administrator, you will provide high-quality administrative support across the People & Culture Team, with a particular focus on Organisational Development, Health & Safety, and office coordination.

You will play a key role in ensuring the effective day-to-day operation of our Reading office while supporting learning and development activities that help our people thrive.

Key Responsibilities

Office & Administrative Support

• Coordinate and minute Health & Safety and Staff Consultation Forum meetings.
• Manage Display Screen Equipment (DSE) risk assessments.
• Coordinate desk and meeting room bookings across the Reading office.
• Process incoming post and cheques, liaising with Finance as required.
• Respond to and record enquiries in line with DofE policies and procedures.
• Coordinate annual PAT testing and maintain Health & Safety records.
• Manage stationery requests across the organisation.
• Act as the key contact for office access and desk booking systems.

Organisational Development Support

• Provide administrative support across Learning & Development, Equity, Inclusion and Wellbeing activities.
• Coordinate training programmes, including venue bookings, travel arrangements, accommodation, and logistics.
• Support the administration and maintenance of the Learning Management System (LMS).
• Assist with organising team meetings, workshops, and events.

Facilities & Contract Management

• Coordinate hire car, hotel, and travel booking requests.
• Act as the primary point of contact with the Reading office landlord and external suppliers.
• Coordinate office access passes, cleaning arrangements, and other facilities-related services.

N.B. this is a part time position 28 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Candidates mut be able to work from the Reading office a minimum of once a week.

What we are looking for:

We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic, organised, and enjoys building positive relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Strong administrative and organisational skills with the ability to manage a varied workload.
• Experience coordinating meetings, preparing agendas, and producing accurate minutes.
• Excellent diary and calendar management skills.
• Strong attention to detail and experience maintaining records, trackers, and filing systems.
• Excellent customer service and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience arranging travel, accommodation, venues, and catering.
• Ability to handle confidential information with professionalism and discretion.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and able to work independently using initiative.

Desirable

• Previous experience in office or facilities management.
• Knowledge of HR, People & Culture, Organisational Development, or Learning & Development environments.
• Experience using Learning Management Systems or training platforms.

Benefits

We offer excellent staff benefits including a generous pension contribution, an employee assistance programme, healthcare cash plan and volunteer leave. Also, 25 days holiday, plus Bank Holidays and an additional 3 days paid leave between Christmas and the New Year. Buy additional annual leave, benefits discount website, death in service benefit 4 x salary, incapacity benefit, generous family leave and sick leave.

The DofE are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. All successful applicants will be required to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. (e.g. DBS/PVG or similar), including references covering any gaps of employment/education, confirm eligibility to work in the UK and complete a health check.

**The geographical allowance is based on a member of staff having a home or office-based postcode within 30 miles (as the crow flies) from Charing Cross, WC2N 5HS. The allowance is 7% capped at £4,000 per annum.