Business Support Officer
- Type
- Full-time
- Salary
- from £31,200 / year
- Posted
- 8 Nov 2026
Verified open 8 Nov 2026 · Source: Company careers page
About the role
Job
About the role
As Business Support Officer, you will provide efficient and effective administrative support to the Design Council, helping to ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the organisation and our work. You will be responsible for a variety of administrative tasks, including maintaining accurate records, coordinating meetings, processing correct internal documentation, HR & office administration and supporting internal systems and processes.
The role requires excellent organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. You will work closely with colleagues across the organisation, providing a professional and responsive service while maintaining confidentiality and accuracy in all aspects of your work.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys a varied role, takes pride in delivering high-quality administrative support, and is committed to contributing to the success of the team and wider organisation.
About you
The ideal candidate will be responsible for:
Organisational support
- Maintain an organisation calendar of events and activities ensuring coordination of schedules between teams
- Provide day to day administrative support across the organisation, predominantly across the Finance and Operations and Programmes teams, providing ad hoc support the Communications team where needed
- Scheduling fortnightly online and in person all-colleague meetings including setting up slide decks and room bookings where necessary
- Supporting logistics on annual team awayday and two in person half days usually in June and November
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to provide excellent administrative support
- Schedule and coordinate our regular cross-organisation business development meetings
Leadership Team support
- Schedule meetings for Senior Management Team, prepare agendas and send-out pre-read incl. fortnightly meetings, monthly SMT-Exec meetings and Quarterly Reviews
- Provide diary management cover for the Executive Team during Senior Executive Administrator leave or absence
Finance and Operations Support
- Administration of room bookings at our Morelands office, liaising with the AHMM team, and external suppliers where needed
- Support the administration of the organisations systems, processes and information management
- Support the preparation, formatting and distribution of reports, presentations and other documents
- Monitor office supplies and equipment, arranging orders and liaising with suppliers as required
Programme Team support
- Schedule and coordinate key meetings for the Programmes Team including fortnightly team meetings
- Overall coordination of the Head of Programmes availability and schedule, including 1:1s
- Support effective contract management & knowledge management systems across the team
- Monitor tender portals & associated programme team inboxes
- Monitor workshop materials required for our work, arranging orders and liaising with suppliers and studios as required
- Work collaboratively with Senior Operations and Special Projects Manager to ensure the effective us of our systems and processes across project delivery
- Provide administrative support across our Design Council Expert network and associated events
- Support the preparation, formatting and distribution of project delivery & impact reports, presentations and other documents
- Coordinate & send regular team newsletters
HR support
- Support the administration of HR processes, including recruitment, onboarding and training records
- Undertake other duties appropriate to the role as reasonably required
Skills and experience
Essential skills
- Excellent organisational and administrative skills, with the ability to manage a varied workload and prioritise tasks effectively.
- Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing accurate, high-quality work.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams.
- Ability to maintain accurate records and manage confidential information appropriately.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build positive working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
- Ability to work independently, use initiative and solve problems effectively.
- Good numerical and data entry skills with a high level of accuracy
Essential experience
- Experience of providing administrative support in a busy office or organisational environment.
- Experience of managing records, databases and filing systems.
- Experience of coordinating meetings, diaries, and correspondence.
- Experience of preparing documents, reports and presentations.
- Experience of using Microsoft Office and other business systems effectively
Our values and behaviours:
- Boundless Curiosity. Dynamic scoping of new ideas and best working practices to create and demonstrate impact.
- Inspire Possibility. Brilliant team and project leadership so we clearly communicate the value and impact of design.
- Powerful Together. Role modelling how to get the best out of everyone so we all maximise our contribution to Design for Planet.
Applications
Please submit your application by 27 November2026.
Please email Ishbel Allotey, HR Manager recruitment@designcouncil.org.uk if you have questions about the role.
The Design Council is fully committed to being a diverse and inclusive organisation. We welcome applications from everyone who meets the criteria. If you need any additional support, please do send in an early alert to our email address below.
Details
- Salary: £31,200+
- Reporting to: Senior Operations & Special Projects Manager
- Contract: Permanent
- Closing date: 27 November 2026