Join Our Growing Team
At Step Start Nurseries, we're passionate about providing exceptional early years education and care. As our organisation continues to grow, we're looking for an organised, proactive and driven Office & Administration Manager to become a key part of our Head Office team.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys variety, thrives in a fast-paced environment and takes pride in making things happen. No two days are the same, and we're looking for someone who can confidently manage competing priorities, support multiple departments and help ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the business.
An understanding of the Early Years sector is highly desirable, as knowledge of nursery operations and compliance will be invaluable in supporting our settings.
About the Role
As our Office & Administration Manager, you will oversee the day-to-day administration of our Head Office while supporting the wider business with operational, administrative and organisational tasks.
You will act as the first point of contact for many enquiries, managing incoming telephone calls, emails and correspondence, ensuring queries are dealt with professionally, efficiently and in a timely manner.
Working closely with the senior leadership team and nursery managers, you will play a key role in supporting projects, maintaining systems and ensuring the business continues to operate efficiently.
This is a busy and varied role where you will often be required to think on your feet, manage changing priorities and deal with situations on behalf of other members of the leadership team. We're looking for someone who is confident making decisions, takes initiative and is always willing to go the extra mile to support the business.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee the day-to-day running of the Head Office.
- Act as the first point of contact for the business, answering telephone calls, responding to emails and managing enquiries professionally and efficiently.
- Provide exceptional customer service to families, nursery teams, suppliers and external stakeholders.
- Manage office administration, records, systems and company documentation.
- Support nursery managers with operational and administrative queries.
- Coordinate meetings, diaries and company communications.
- Assist with HR administration, including onboarding, compliance and employee records.
- Support recruitment administration and interview coordination.
- Produce reports, trackers and business documentation for the leadership team.
- Monitor compliance deadlines and ensure key actions are completed on time.
- Order office supplies and liaise with suppliers.
- Support company projects and operational initiatives.
- Handle situations and resolve queries on behalf of senior leaders, escalating where appropriate.
- Identify opportunities to improve systems and processes to increase efficiency.
- Support company events and attend occasional weekend activities where required.
About You
We're looking for someone who is organised, motivated and enjoys working in a busy environment where every day is different.
You will:
- Have previous experience in an Office Manager, Administration Manager or similar role.
- Ideally have experience working within the Early Years, childcare or education sector.
- Be highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
- Have outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.
- Be confident managing telephone calls, emails and a wide range of enquiries.
- Be able to prioritise multiple tasks while remaining calm under pressure.
- Have excellent problem-solving skills and be confident making decisions.
- Be proactive, adaptable and able to use your own initiative.
- Have strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
- Be professional, approachable and committed to providing excellent support to colleagues and stakeholders.
- Be flexible and willing to support the wider business whenever required.
What We Offer
- Opportunities for professional development and career progression
- A supportive and collaborative working environment
- Company pension scheme
- Company events
- The opportunity to play a key role within a growing and ambitious organisation
We're Looking for Someone Who...
- Loves organisation and enjoys bringing structure to a busy environment.
- Takes ownership of their work and sees tasks through to completion.
- Has a positive, can-do attitude and is always willing to help.
- Thinks ahead and solves problems before they become issues.
- Thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys the variety each day brings.
- Wants to make a genuine difference within a growing Early Years organisation.
Hours: Monday to Friday (40 hours per week)
Flexibility: Occasional weekend availability is required to support recruitment events, business projects and operational requirements.
Join Step Start Nurseries
If you're looking for a varied, rewarding role where your organisation, initiative and professionalism will make a real impact, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today and become part of the team helping us provide the very best start for every child.
Pay: From £26,436.80 per year
Work Location: In person
