College Receptionist and School Administrator

CORE PURPOSE

We are seeking a welcoming, highly organized, and articulate College Receptionist to serve as the face of our independent sixth form college. Working closely with the Operations Manager, administrative team, and Senior Leadership Team, the successful candidate will manage front-of-house operations, greet students, prospective families, and corporate partners, handle incoming communications, and ensure a professional reception environment across the campus.

THE COLLEGE

Set in a modern, architect-designed Inner London facility featuring university-style lecture hubs, creative digital suites, and contemporary student lounges, this vibrant independent college serves over 600 post-16 students preparing for top-tier higher education and professional careers. The college combines rigorous academic standards with a mature, forward-thinking environment. Main reception functions as the professional hub of the campus, utilizing cloud-based visitor management systems and modern communication tools to deliver first-class customer service to students, staff, and visitors alike.

KEY TASKS & DAILY OPERATIONS

Front-of-House Reception: Greet students, parents, visiting lecturers, and corporate partners in a warm, professional manner, ensuring all guests sign in via digital visitor portals.

Telecommunications & Inquiries: Manage the main switchboard, filter and route incoming telephone inquiries, take detailed messages, and manage general admissions email correspondence.

Visitor & Access Control: Issue visitor access passes, verify credentials, and enforce campus security protocols to maintain site safety.

Student & Admissions Support: Assist students with daily inquiries, log arrivals, manage front-desk appointments, and coordinate prospective student visits during open days.

Administrative Assistance: Support the central administration team with incoming and outgoing mail, package deliveries, document preparation, and updating student records on the college management system.

PROFILE REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications: NVQ Level 2/3 in Customer Service, Business Administration, or equivalent experience. GCSE Grade 4/C or above in English and Mathematics.

Experience: Proven experience in a receptionist, front-of-house, or customer-facing support role—ideally within an independent college, higher education setting, corporate environment, or busy professional office.

Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, an polished telephone manner, proficiency with IT systems (MS Office, Google Workspace, and college MIS/CRM software), and strong multi-tasking skills.

REGIONAL CONTEXT

Local Area & Community: Based in the creative and culturally rich Inner London borough of Hackney, the college benefits from a vibrant local environment surrounded by tech hubs, design studios, and historic cultural landmarks. With nearby spaces such as London Fields, Victoria Park, and Shoreditch, the location offers an inspiring setting for students and professionals.

Transport & Commuting: Hackney boasts outstanding transport connections, bounded by major thoroughfares including the A10 (Kingsland Road) and A12 corridors. Public transit links are exceptionally comprehensive, served by extensive London Overground routes (Hackney Central, Hackney Downs, Dalston Junction), London Underground connections via nearby Stratford and Old Street, and dense London Bus networks providing rapid access into the City of London and West End.

APPLICATION INTAKE

Please submit your current CV to begin the application process.