Business Administrator

Colas Ltd are a UK subsidiary of the global Colas Group, which operates in over 50 countries worldwide and employs over 55,000 people including over 1500 in the UK across multiple sites. We are specialists in highways construction and have been involved in large-scale UK and international construction projects within the highways, airfields, and marine sectors as well as offering highways maintenance services and manufacturing our own innovative surfacing products. We hold a 'Gold Investor in People' award for continuously developing and rewarding our employees, offering excellent career potential.

Purpose of the role

We are looking for an organised and proactive Business Administrator to join our Highways team on a 12 month fixed term contract . In this varied role, you will provide essential administrative support to ensure the smooth delivery of highway operations, projects and compliance activities. You will be responsible for maintaining accurate records, coordinating communications, processing purchase orders and permits, supporting inspections and ensuring key information is up to date. Working closely with colleagues, contractors and members of the public, you will play an important role in keeping our services running efficiently.

Main Responsibilities

As Business Administrator, you will provide day-to-day administrative support to the Highways team by coordinating meetings, managing diaries and preparing agendas and minutes. You will raise, process and monitor purchase orders and invoices, working with the finance team to resolve queries and ensure payments are made promptly. The role involves maintaining highways databases, asset registers and document management systems, ensuring records are accurate, current and easily accessible. You will support the delivery of highways projects by inputting and maintaining inspection and project data, arranging site visits, coordinating appointments and preparing the necessary documentation. You will also prepare routine correspondence, statutory notices, reports and schedules, while supporting contract administration through maintaining contractor records and project files. The successful candidate will help ensure compliance by maintaining health and safety documentation, including risk assessments, permits and method statements, and will assist with Freedom of Information requests and other administrative tasks as required. Above all, you will contribute to delivering a professional, efficient and safe service while maintaining high standards of accuracy and organisation.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have previous experience working in a busy administrative environment and be confident using a range of IT systems, databases and Microsoft Office applications. You will have excellent organisational skills, strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines.

You will hold GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics and have experience maintaining accurate records and providing high-quality administrative support. Experience of permits and the Street Manager system would be advantageous, as would knowledge of Confirm or similar works management systems and purchase order platforms such as COUPA. Most importantly, you will be a dependable team player with excellent communication skills, a professional approach and a commitment to delivering excellent customer service.

Package Description

Here at Colas, we offer a great total compensation package, including:

• A salary between £24,800 and £29,000 ( 12 months FTC)
• Our Colas Pension Scheme has combined contributions of up to 10%
• Life Assurance Scheme which is x4 basic salary
• 25 days annual leave per year + Public Holidays 
• Holiday Purchase & Selling Scheme
• Hybrid Working Scheme (dependent on the role)
• Family-Friendly Benefits, including Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Pay
• Opportunities to study towards a fully funded Professional Qualification
• Ongoing personal / professional development
• Discounts on car leasing, holidays, cinema tickets, restaurants and much more through our online employee benefits portal

At Colas, our culture is guided by four core values: Respect , Commitment , Pioneering , and Sharing . These values shape how we work, collaborate, and grow together. We believe that respect is the foundation of every relationship. By treating others as we wish to be treated, we foster fairness, transparency, and inclusion within our teams and with our clients, communities, and partners. Commitment means dedicating ourselves fully to everything we do. We strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to make a meaningful impact. With a pioneering spirit, we prioritise bold innovation over blind ambition. We welcome new ideas, invest in our people, and work to deliver sustainable infrastructure solutions that shape the future. Through sharing , we build trust and solidarity, encouraging collaboration and growth at all levels of the business. 

Colas Ltd is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that mirrors the communities we serve. As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all backgrounds. If you want a workplace where your voice is valued and your potential is developed, Colas is the right choice. 

Note to Recruitment Agencies

In line with our Company Policy, Colas Ltd has a preference for direct hiring and we will reach out to our PSL (Preferred Suppliers List) agencies if the role is eligible for release. We do not accept speculative CVs from agencies. If a speculative CV is sent, no fee will be applicable.