Senior Business Support Assistant

Bristol City Corporation; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Bristol is seeking a driven individual for a full-time role in the School Admissions Service. The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional customer service skills and adaptability in a dynamic environment. Key responsibilities include supporting school place allocations and managing routine inquiries. This position offers a hybrid working model, a generous rewards package, and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme

Generous annual leave allowance

Qualifications

• Proven ability to deliver first-rate customer service.
• Able to manage competing demands in a dynamic environment.
• Flexibility to adapt to changes and challenges.

Responsibilities

• Support allocation of school places for new pupils.
• Process emails to the School Admissions shared account.
• Respond to routine and complex enquiries.
• Compose and distribute correspondences and documents.
• Proactive in handling issues in a fast‑changing environment.

Skills

Customer service

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Job description

Full Time, Fixed Term until 10th November 2026. We are looking for this role to start asap.

The School Admissions Service is looking for a driven individual able to manage competing demands, with a proven ability to deliver first-rate customer service. You will be a flexible person, with attention to detail and the ability to be adept at handling the kind of problems that often arise in a fast‑changing, dynamic environment.

Key responsibilities

• Support the allocation of school places for pupils moving into the area and those wishing to change schools, in accordance with the admission authority’s policy, including advising parents/carers about procedures in respect of school appeals.
• Administer and process emails sent to the School Admissions shared email account.
• Respond to a range of routine and more complex written and telephone enquiries from a variety of sources (internal/external) either directly or by referral to an appropriate colleague to ensure a satisfactory resolution.
• Compose, type and distribute routine and more complex correspondence, and prepare specialist/technical draft documents for approval as directed.
• Demonstrate a proactive approach to handling problems and challenges in a fast‑changing, dynamic environment.

If you like challenge and variety this may be the role for you.

Why Bristol City Council?

We go that extra mile for our people; we offer a fast‑moving and supportive work environment that allows you to use your skills and develop new ones within a high‑profile organisation. The majority of our roles offer hybrid working arrangements, balancing service need and individual choice between home and office.

You’ll receive an excellent rewards package including flexible working and flexitime, membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition, you’ll be working in a supportive environment where you’ll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.

Application and selection

To be shortlisted you’ll need to demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria in the Person Specification. On occasions with a high number of applications, we may then shortlist using the desirable criteria alongside the essential criteria.

Disability confident and equality

We’re a Disability Confident employer which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people. Any job applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview. We’ll make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process and provide continued workplace support throughout your career.

Bristol City Council strives to have a workforce that reflects the communities it serves, and we are therefore committed to ensuring diversity in our hiring process. We welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. Appointments will be made on merit.

For further details, please contact Kate Aldworth, Service Deputy Lead by email at [email omitted].