Business Support Officer (Apprentice)

About The Role

Working Hours:  35 Hours Per Week
Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time
Working Style: Onsite 
Closing Date and Time : 11:59pm, 18th August 2026
Interview Method: Face to Face

This Role is Subject to: 

Legal Right to Work: In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. The Legal Right to Work documentation needs to cover the period of the apprenticeship programme.

Been a resident in the UK, Ireland, the British Overseas Territories or Crown Dependencies (Channel Islands and Isle of Man) for the last three years.

Proof of Manchester Residency –  Roles at Grade 1 to 3, traineeships, or apprenticeships will initially only be advertised to Manchester residents and internal candidates. An applicant is classed as a resident of Manchester if they live within the boundaries of the City of Manchester; i.e. Any Council Tax liability for their home would be with Manchester City Council. To check if you fall under the Manchester City Council boundary please visit -

1 Reference 

DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance - this post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here. We have a policy on the Employment of Ex-Offenders and it is available upon request.

Qualification - If you are under 19 in England and want to start an apprenticeship, you must complete Level 2 (or equivalent) qualifications in maths and English if you haven't already. This typically means achieving a GCSE Grade 4 (C) or higher, or completing Functional Skills alongside your vocational training. No qualification is required for those 19 and over. 

This role is an apprenticeship and as such, the successful applicant will be required to undertake a course of study leading to a NVQ level 3 in Administration . This qualification will take 12 months and on successful completion, annual salary will increase to £25,583.

We welcome applicants who have previously attended further education and encourage you to apply to gain new skills to specialise in a different area.

This is a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons! However, it is important to highlight, due to the Department of Education’s funding rules for Apprenticeships, you would be ineligible to apply for this apprenticeship role if you currently have a qualification at Level 3 or above in Business and Administration or similar field. Any offer of employment may be withdrawn if it is found that your prior qualifications conflict with the apprenticeship framework. 

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Business Support Officer (Level 1) to join our committed team, delivering vital business support across Adult Services and Senior Management. Based at Hulme District Office, this role offers a varied and engaging working environment at the centre of our service delivery.

Working as part of a supportive and collaborative team, you will play a key role in ensuring the smooth running of administrative processes, helping to underpin essential administrative work and provide effective support to the Sensory Team and our citizens.

We are seeking to recruit a highly organised and proactive individual to join our Business Support Team.  This is a critical role providing confidential, accurate, and timely administrative support to ensure the smooth operation of the service and support to the senior management team.

If you would like to discuss this role, please contact [email protected]

About the Candidate

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver high-quality administrative support, including minute-taking, document preparation, and data entry.
• Being the first point of contact for citizens, answering queries and directives.
• Manage and prioritise your own workload effectively, responding flexibly to the needs of the service.
• Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• Communicate effectively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Strong administrative and minute-taking skills, with a proven track record in a similar role.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) with excellent keyboard skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, make sound judgments, and take initiative.
• High attention to detail and accuracy in all aspects of work.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain strict confidentiality and manage sensitive information appropriately.

About Us

We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities.

Working for Manchester isn’t just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.

Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours:

• We take time to listen and understand
• We work together and trust each other
• We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
• We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
• We’re proud and passionate about Manchester

Benefits we offer

• Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks during our annual leave purchase period.
• A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
• Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
• Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
• Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process. 
• A Good Employment Charter member - W e are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits. 

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council 

At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.

Support During the Process

• Interview Adjustments : Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
• Accessible Formats : Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page . This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme 

We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirement s for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below :

• Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans
• Current or former care leavers
• Have a disability or long-term condition
• Have you completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme or any MCC positive action programme?

When You Join Us 

We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering:

• A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
• Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
• A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly .

For more information about the role or any adjustments, email [email protected] .

What we will need from you if you're successful

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship. 

Pre-Employment Checks 

If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for, see the top of the advert for details.

These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve. 

Other relevant information 

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role. 

For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.

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