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Oxfordshire County Council

Business Support Officer - Directors Office

The closing date is 01 January 2026

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Job summary

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

Main duties of the job

This role will provide administrative support to several Heads of Service enabling the best possible support to be provided to both internal and external customers.

Duties or tasks that the post holder will be expected to undertake include:

  • Provide a high level of administrative and support to Heads of Service and from time to time the Senior Management Team as a whole. This will involve, amongst other things, dealing with confidential matters, and handling a wide range of enquiries through to a satisfactory outcome, carrying out research and following up on planned tasks. The job requires the organisation of this workload under minimal supervision.

  • Process financial tasks within the team including e-procurement and receipting of goods.

  • Supporting the recruitment, induction, supervision and learning of others as required.
  • Attending and participating in meetings as required to support the needs of the service including taking a lead role as champion for a service process, system or development area.

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 Councils 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.

Details

Date posted

11 December 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£29,064 to £31,022 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

VPDA179E39

Job locations

County Hall

OX1 1ND


Job description

Job responsibilities

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.

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.

Follow us on Social Media

Stay up-to-date with the latest news and featured jobs from Oxfordshire County Council by following us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Job description

Job responsibilities

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.

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.

Follow us on Social Media

Stay up-to-date with the latest news and featured jobs from Oxfordshire County Council by following us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Person Specification

General Requirements

Essential

  • Please refer to job description above

Desirable

  • Please refer to job description above
Person Specification

General Requirements

Essential

  • Please refer to job description above

Desirable

  • Please refer to job description above

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

Oxfordshire County Council

Address

County Hall

OX1 1ND


Employer's website

https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Oxfordshire County Council

Address

County Hall

OX1 1ND


Employer's website

https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Recruiter

Laura Gayle

VPDA179E39.1286@vacancyposter.com

01865816000

Details

Date posted

11 December 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£29,064 to £31,022 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

VPDA179E39

Job locations

County Hall

OX1 1ND


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