Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Business Support Officer

The closing date is 30 March 2026

Job summary

The post holder will be responsible for managing the day to day operation of the Lodge and the Hawthorne Centre. Facilitating the Trust Policy/Procedures to manage the business support functions and teams for the Lodge and Hawthorne Centre.The business support function is the first service seen by people visiting the Lodge and Hawthorne Centre and therefore has an essential role in welcoming people to the Trust.

The post holder will additionally ensure that Emergency Planning, Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR) requirements are embedded across daily operations and local procedures.

The post holder will be required to provide cross cover and cover other Trust services as directed by the Emergency Planning and Compliance Manager. This includes providing support to emergency planning activities across other services where required.

The Post-holder will report directly to the Emergency Planning and Compliance Manager and will be required to undertake regular journeys within the Trust estate. This will include attending emergency planning meetings, exercises, incident responses and resilience-related activities across the Trusts estates.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be based at the Lodge providing effective management, daily monitoring and supervision of the building. This includes ensuring that Emergency Planning, Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR) requirements are embedded into Trust operations.

The post holder will ensure consistent and leading standard levels of working practices are established and adhered to, including adherence to all emergency planning standards, protocols and statutory EPRR obligations.

The post holder will ensure that the business support, EPRR services are welcoming, effective, customer focused, proactive, and responsive to customer needs, and all staff have a 'can do' attitude.

The post holder will provide comprehensive support to the development, implementation and review of emergency plans and business continuity arrangements as well as business support to enable effect service improvement and delivery.

The post holder will effectively support with the management of all Estates, Health and Safety and any other issues pertaining to the Lodge and Hawthorne Centre.

The post holder is responsible for the building management of the Lodge and Hawthorne Centre.

The post holder will ensure that the reception has adequate cover Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm.

The post holder is responsible for ensuring the Lodge and Hawthorne centre are opened and closed in line with opening / closing times and secured including alarms where in place.

About us

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

  • Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
  • Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
  • If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
  • We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.

Benefits

  • 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
  • Excellent pension of up to14.5% of your pensionable pay.
  • Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
  • £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
  • Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs

  • Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
  • Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Details

Date posted

16 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year Per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

364-A-9857

Job locations

Head Office, The Lodge

Lodge Approach

Wickford

SS11 7XX


Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will ensure consistent and leading standard levels of working practices are established and adhered to.

The post holder will provide comprehensive project and business support to enable effect service improvement and delivery.

The post holder will ensure the organisational brand and culture is accurately reflected in all communications, projects and events facilitated by the service.

The post holder will be required to work autonomously and to agreed outcomes.

The post holder will be able to analyse data/statistical information as required.

The post holder will identify opportunities for improvement and manage the process of change effectively.

The post holder will be responsible for developing systems, procedures and communication methods that will ensure positive relationships with internal and external customers.

To monitor and solve service problems identify, investigate and interpret problems affecting both internal and external customers and work with colleagues to consider, select and implement the best solution to resolve specific service problems.

To ensure learning from any service incidents, issues, and problems is shared within the service and subsequent practices embedded.

The post holder will continually seek opportunities to increase customer satisfaction.

To prioritise the delivery and development of required business support so that the resources of the team are used as effectively as possible to deliver results.

To manage the day-to-day operational aspects of a project and scope, ensuring high attention to detail.

The post holder will be responsible for the management and development of administration systems and processes that meet the needs of the work streams.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will ensure consistent and leading standard levels of working practices are established and adhered to.

The post holder will provide comprehensive project and business support to enable effect service improvement and delivery.

The post holder will ensure the organisational brand and culture is accurately reflected in all communications, projects and events facilitated by the service.

The post holder will be required to work autonomously and to agreed outcomes.

The post holder will be able to analyse data/statistical information as required.

The post holder will identify opportunities for improvement and manage the process of change effectively.

The post holder will be responsible for developing systems, procedures and communication methods that will ensure positive relationships with internal and external customers.

To monitor and solve service problems identify, investigate and interpret problems affecting both internal and external customers and work with colleagues to consider, select and implement the best solution to resolve specific service problems.

To ensure learning from any service incidents, issues, and problems is shared within the service and subsequent practices embedded.

The post holder will continually seek opportunities to increase customer satisfaction.

To prioritise the delivery and development of required business support so that the resources of the team are used as effectively as possible to deliver results.

To manage the day-to-day operational aspects of a project and scope, ensuring high attention to detail.

The post holder will be responsible for the management and development of administration systems and processes that meet the needs of the work streams.

Person Specification

Education / Qualifications

Essential

  • oDegree or equivalent experience
  • oPostgraduate qualification in management or equivalent experience/extensive knowledge and expertise across the areas detailed in job description.
  • oProject/staff management qualification or equivalent experience

Knowledge

Essential

  • oKnowledge of processes for policies/ procedures implementation and monitoring
  • oKnowledge of good customer service
  • oA broad knowledge of the supporting agendas that impact on the NHS (such as the NHS constitution, CQC regulatory requirements, H&S)

Skills / Experience

Essential

  • oLiterate in IT/Computer Skills
  • oExcellent written & verbal communication skills
  • oExperience of staff management, including recruitment and selection, performance management and sickness management
  • oExperience of delivering outstanding customer service
  • oAbility to work in partnership and develop productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
  • oAbility to communicate complex, conflicting and sensitive information at all levels in the trust verbally and in writing, including to Trust committees
  • oAbility to work within confidential environment, observing confidentiality at all times
  • oAbility to prepare, deliver and facilitate training sessions in field of expertise using MS PowerPoint presentations
  • oAbility to prioritise own and other's workload demands in pressured situations
  • oAbility to analyse conflicting information, to make judgements about information involving complex facts received, to act on own discretion and take action on this appropriately
  • oAbility however to also be able to identify when to escalate an issue appropriately within the team
  • oAbility to undertake auditing, monitoring and investigation
  • oKnowledge and experience of MS Office, and the use of other IT systems (e.g. Datix, databases)
  • oExperience of maintaining electronic databases and working with electronic information systems, including information system development to meet the needs of the role
  • oAbility to interpret and analyse data and resolve failures to meet project standards / compliance with national standards etc
  • oAbility to develop trust wide policies and procedures in line with best practice
  • oAbility to interpret legislation and national / regional guidance and to determine the impact for the Trust and appropriate actions required
  • oEffective leadership skills
  • oInfluencing and negotiating skills

Desirable

  • oExperience of working at a similar level in a large complex NHS Trust
  • oExperience of staff management, including recruitment and selection, performance management and sickness management
  • oAbility to develop detailed plans and strategies (operational framework) at a strategic organisation wide level - both short term and long term - and support their implementation
  • oAbility to plan and organise complex projects across the organisation and formulise adjustments accordingly

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • oShares the Trust's Beliefs and models this in their attitude and behaviour:
  • oProfessional and customer focused approach
  • oOrganised, proactive and methodical
  • oTeam player
  • oMotivated, confident, committed and reliable
  • o'can do' attitude
  • oWillingness to go the extra mile
  • oHigh attention to detail
  • Leadership

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • Fitness Analysis as appropriate
  • Current Full UK Driving Licence
  • Ability to travel across sites efficiently and across Trust boundaries to attend meetings, etc
Person Specification

Education / Qualifications

Essential

  • oDegree or equivalent experience
  • oPostgraduate qualification in management or equivalent experience/extensive knowledge and expertise across the areas detailed in job description.
  • oProject/staff management qualification or equivalent experience

Knowledge

Essential

  • oKnowledge of processes for policies/ procedures implementation and monitoring
  • oKnowledge of good customer service
  • oA broad knowledge of the supporting agendas that impact on the NHS (such as the NHS constitution, CQC regulatory requirements, H&S)

Skills / Experience

Essential

  • oLiterate in IT/Computer Skills
  • oExcellent written & verbal communication skills
  • oExperience of staff management, including recruitment and selection, performance management and sickness management
  • oExperience of delivering outstanding customer service
  • oAbility to work in partnership and develop productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
  • oAbility to communicate complex, conflicting and sensitive information at all levels in the trust verbally and in writing, including to Trust committees
  • oAbility to work within confidential environment, observing confidentiality at all times
  • oAbility to prepare, deliver and facilitate training sessions in field of expertise using MS PowerPoint presentations
  • oAbility to prioritise own and other's workload demands in pressured situations
  • oAbility to analyse conflicting information, to make judgements about information involving complex facts received, to act on own discretion and take action on this appropriately
  • oAbility however to also be able to identify when to escalate an issue appropriately within the team
  • oAbility to undertake auditing, monitoring and investigation
  • oKnowledge and experience of MS Office, and the use of other IT systems (e.g. Datix, databases)
  • oExperience of maintaining electronic databases and working with electronic information systems, including information system development to meet the needs of the role
  • oAbility to interpret and analyse data and resolve failures to meet project standards / compliance with national standards etc
  • oAbility to develop trust wide policies and procedures in line with best practice
  • oAbility to interpret legislation and national / regional guidance and to determine the impact for the Trust and appropriate actions required
  • oEffective leadership skills
  • oInfluencing and negotiating skills

Desirable

  • oExperience of working at a similar level in a large complex NHS Trust
  • oExperience of staff management, including recruitment and selection, performance management and sickness management
  • oAbility to develop detailed plans and strategies (operational framework) at a strategic organisation wide level - both short term and long term - and support their implementation
  • oAbility to plan and organise complex projects across the organisation and formulise adjustments accordingly

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • oShares the Trust's Beliefs and models this in their attitude and behaviour:
  • oProfessional and customer focused approach
  • oOrganised, proactive and methodical
  • oTeam player
  • oMotivated, confident, committed and reliable
  • o'can do' attitude
  • oWillingness to go the extra mile
  • oHigh attention to detail
  • Leadership

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • Fitness Analysis as appropriate
  • Current Full UK Driving Licence
  • Ability to travel across sites efficiently and across Trust boundaries to attend meetings, etc

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Head Office, The Lodge

Lodge Approach

Wickford

SS11 7XX


Employer's website

https://eput.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Head Office, The Lodge

Lodge Approach

Wickford

SS11 7XX


Employer's website

https://eput.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Senior Emergency Planning and Compliance Officer

Amanda Webb

a.webb5@nhs.net

07970428064

Details

Date posted

16 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year Per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

364-A-9857

Job locations

Head Office, The Lodge

Lodge Approach

Wickford

SS11 7XX


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)