Apprentice Receptionist and Administrative Assistant

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity for you to join our team as an Apprentice Receptionist and Administration Assistant in the Department of Social Policy and Intervention. This is a varied role supporting the other members of our friendly Professional Services Team and will allow you to gain experience in a variety of administrative roles in our small yet busy department.

You will be responsible for providing reception services to the department in Barnett House at 32 Wellington Square which will include welcoming and directing a range of visitors and dealing with any queries. Other reception duties may include distributing post, dealing with deliveries and maintaining the University Salto system to control who can enter the department. You will also assist our Office Manager with other duties including safety checks and preparations for teaching and events.

In addition, you will provide administrative support to other teams including the Academic Office which deals with student and courses administration and the HR Team that is responsible for looking after our staff.

About the apprenticeship 

As part of this role, you will undertake an Apprenticeship with Abingdon and Witney College where you will complete a Business Administrator L3 Apprenticeship. The apprenticeship will be delivered through in-house training, as well as day-release or other distance learning methods as supported by Abingdon and Witney College.

For this apprenticeship, you will work within University of Oxford’s Department of Social Policy and Intervention in central Oxford (Wellington Square).

In total, it will take 18 months (as part of a 2 year employment contract)   [JP1] to complete all elements of the apprenticeship, with support from the Department, University, and College throughout. 

Becoming an apprentice at the University of Oxford is an excellent opportunity to gain practical experience and training. For more information, please visit

:  https://www.apprenticeships.ox.ac.uk  

About you 

You will be passionate about starting your career in business administration with a willingness to learn and develop new skills and take on a new challenge. You will be able to work both independently and as part of a busy team. You will have basic IT and communication skills and be ready to develop these further. You may be starting your career or you may be looking for a career change.

To complete the apprenticeship you will need to evidence passes at 9-4 or A*-C in GCSE Maths and English. Abingdon and Witney College will ask you to complete a short initial assessment during the application process.

There are also government residency requirements for Apprenticeship funding which the Training Provider will be able to advise on.

What we offer 

Our apprentices are never on their own, you will benefit from a supportive environment working in collaboration with the rest of our committed team. You will also be supported by the central apprenticeship team and you will join our growing network of apprentices within the University. You will have the opportunity to become an apprenticeship ambassador for the University and region.

We will provide you with a welcoming and inclusive workplace, offering support and development opportunities that will enable you to progress and do your best work. We recognise diversity as our strength, vital for innovation and creativity, and we aspire to build a truly diverse community, which values and respects every individual’s unique contribution.

Over 80% of our apprentices continue with us in the role they have been trained for after their Apprenticeship and that is just the start of their career.

You will receive 38 days’ annual leave inclusive of Bank Holiday and fixed closure dates, discounted travel, an excellent contributory pension scheme, and student discount. You will also be part of the University’s annual apprenticeship awards.

Contact us and apply 

If you would like further information or support in your application, please contact:

•        Laura Ainsworth – HR Manager –  [email protected] 

•        Jane Phipps – Abingdon and Witney College – [email protected] 

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 14th June 2023 only applications received before Friday 16th June 2023 at 12 noon will be considered. 

Interviews are expected to take place on 12th  July 2023. 

Interviews will be held in our offices in Wellington Square, Oxford. If you have concerns about travel or accessibility please do not hesitate to contact us.