Business Support Officer - Directors Office

Job Introduction

About Us

The Business Support Service Team (Directors Office) forms a small, friendly group working collaboratively across commissioning and operational services within Adult Social Care. Our team is committed to delivering high-quality support, guided by our organisational values: always learning, being kind and caring, promoting equality and integrity, taking responsibility, and daring to do things differently. We operate within an agile working framework, mainly working remotely in accordance with Oxfordshire County Council’s Agile Working policy, with County Hall, Oxford, as our primary location. On occasion, there may be a requirement to work from other sites within the county.

About the Role

As Business Support Officer in the Directors Office, you will play a pivotal role in providing high-level administrative support to Heads of Service and, when required, the Senior Leadership Team. Your responsibilities will include managing confidential matters, handling a wide variety of enquiries, and ensuring satisfactory outcomes. You will be expected to organise and prioritise your workload with minimal supervision, manage diaries, arrange meetings, and prepare agendas and minutes. The role also includes co-ordinating and maintaining diaries, opening and prioritising post, preparing documents and correspondence, and undertaking research and follow-up on planned tasks.

You will also support financial administration tasks, such as processing invoices, e-procurement, and reconciliation of procurement cards. The role involves liaising with both internal and external stakeholders, including elected members and partner agencies, and organising venues and logistics for external meetings and conferences. A methodical, organised approach and a keen eye for detail are essential.

About you

We are seeking a proactive and organised individual who demonstrates a high level of discretion and initiative. You will need to be a confident communicator with a customer-focused approach and the ability to build effective relationships at all levels. Essential skills and experience include:

• Excellent administrative and organisational skills, with experience in a similar role
• Strong IT skills, including MS Office and electronic diary management
• Ability to prepare reports, minutes, agendas, and correspondence to a high standard
• Experience using financial and administrative systems
• Methodical approach and attention to detail
• Ability to handle confidential matters with discretion and work efficiently under pressure
• Flexible attitude and ability to handle change effectively
• A passion for supporting people and a commitment to our organisational values

For full list of responsibilities and requirements please see the full job description.

Rewards and benefits

It really is true that every single job role here contributes to bettering the lives of the people in our county - we want to do this for our employees too. We are proud of our strong flexible working culture, including the opportunity for flexibility on working hours and the use of technology to support agile working. We offer some of the very best learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development. 

We have a generous holiday allowance which rises as you remain in employment with us up to 32 days, as well as giving you the option to buy additional holiday. You will also have access to a Local Government Pension Scheme with employer contributions of up to 19.9% of your salary; a range of local and national retail discounts; and a host of enhanced family friendly policies including carers leave and paid time off for volunteering. 

Our commitment to:
 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to:
Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to:
Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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If you encounter any issues with the application system, please contact us at: taybe.clarke-earnscliffe@oxfordshire.gov.uk