We are seeking a Business Support Officer to join our friendly team on a fixed-term basis for 14 months, covering a period of maternity leave.
This is an excellent opportunity for an organised and capable administrator who enjoys variety, takes ownership of their work, and thrives in a busy office environment. Experience within the ecology sector is desirable but by no means essential as full training will be given, so we welcome applicants from a wide range of office backgrounds.
About the Role
As Business Support Officer, you will play a central role in keeping our day-to-day operations running smoothly. The position spans three main areas: supporting our clients and incoming work, most notably the preparation of estimates and tender submissions, coordinating our network of sub-contractors, and providing general office support.
You will be a confident communicator and a natural organiser, comfortable acting as a key point of contact for both sub-contractors and clients. You will need to be able to manage a varied workload, prioritise effectively, and work independently with minimal supervision.
Key Responsibilities
Client Support
- Preparing and issuing estimates to clients, gathering the necessary information and presenting it clearly and accurately
- Supporting tender submissions, helping to compile, format, and submit documentation to deadline
- Managing the Info@ inbox, responding to or directing incoming enquiries promptly and professionally
- Managing the Admin@ inbox, ensuring administrative requests are actioned or passed to the right person in a timely way
- Allocating work across the team, helping to ensure projects and surveys are scheduled and resourced effectively
- Updating project and survey lead times, keeping internal records and client-facing information current
Sub-Contractor Coordination
- Liaising with all sub-contractors on a regular basis to confirm and maintain up-to-date availability status, ensuring we have an accurate picture of capacity at all times
- Updating and maintaining the staff location map so that resource and coverage across regions can be seen at a glance
- Updating and maintaining the approved sub-contractor list, keeping records current and ensuring all relevant documentation is in place
- Coordinating the onboarding of new sub-contractors, guiding them through the process and gathering the information and paperwork required to get them set up
- Ensuring all sub-contractors complete the essential training relevant to their work, and keeping accurate records of completion
- Acting as the main day-to-day point of contact for sub-contractors, responding to queries and building positive working relationships
General Office Support
- Taking accurate and clear meeting notes, and circulating actions as required
- Managing stationery and office consumables, monitoring stock levels and reordering as needed
- Helping to arrange staff social events, such as the Christmas party, Summer BBQ and other team get togethers
- Undertaking other general office administration tasks as required to support the smooth running of the office
About You
- Experience working in a similar office or administrative environment (essential)
- Experience within the ecology or environmental sector (desirable but not essential as full training will be given)
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage and prioritise a varied workload
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a confident and professional manner
- The ability to work independently and use your own initiative
- Good attention to detail and accuracy
- Confident using standard office software (such as email, word processing, and spreadsheets)
- A friendly, helpful, and team-oriented approach
What We Offer
Competitive Salary
We offer a competitive salary, with the exact level dependent on your skills and experience.
Four-Day Working Week Trial (2026)
We are currently running a company-wide four-day working week trial (March–December 2026), where staff work 32-hours per week at full pay. Friday is a non-working day for most roles. We are committed to finding sustainable ways of working that genuinely support our people’s wellbeing. This role is offered on an initial 32-hour week in line with the trial. We are happy to be flexible and would welcome a conversation about how you can work your hours in a way that suits you.
Hybrid flexible working
Two days per week in the office, with the remainder of your hours worked flexibly from home.
Professional development
An annual training budget for specific training goals, plus full training in the systems and processes relevant to your role.
A team that values your contribution
A friendly, sociable, and inclusive working environment where your ideas and efforts are genuinely recognised.
We welcome applications from individuals who believe a high-performance working style balanced with meaningful recovery time would enable them to thrive.
To apply for this role please email your CV and a covering letter to
[email protected]
Equal Opportunities
We are an equal opportunities employer and recognise the value of a diverse workforce. All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on objective criteria and without regard to age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; sexual orientation; protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic, in accordance with the relevant governing laws.
Our organisation is committed not only to meeting its legal obligations but also to the positive promotion of equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment
Experience:
- Administrative: 3 years (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Petworth GU28 9BU
