Business Administration Apprentice

The role

As a Business Administration Apprentice, you’ll play an active role in supporting the vital work of Southwark’s Planning and Growth Division. This division brings together specialist teams in Planning, Commercial Property Management, Local Economy, and Sustainable Growth. You’ll be based in one of these teams, while also gaining opportunities to collaborate across the wider division - giving you valuable insight into how different services work together to deliver for our communities.

You’ll take on a variety of administrative tasks that keep the team running smoothly. From managing processes and systems to producing accurate documents and providing support to colleagues, your responsibilities will be varied and rewarding. Working alongside others, you’ll focus on delivering excellent customer service, helping to identify improvements, and ensuring the team provides high-quality support to the community, all while developing practical skills that will benefit your future career.

Alongside your day-to-day role, you’ll be completing a Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship programme. This means balancing your work with structured study, taking part in lessons, workshops, and assessments to build your knowledge and achieve a nationally recognised qualification.

Why this role stands out

• Build valuable experience within the Planning and Growth Division, gaining a broad understanding of how services shape the borough.
• Follow a clear pathway for personal and professional development, combining practical experience with a nationally recognised qualification.
• Contribute to meaningful projects that make a real difference to local communities, supported by experienced colleagues in a collaborative environment.

Key responsibilities

• Support your designated team with a variety of administrative tasks, ensuring accurate and timely work.
• Manage processes and systems that help the team run smoothly, contributing to service improvements.
• Work across different areas of the Planning and Growth Division to broaden your experience.
• Take part in projects and daily workflows, collaborating closely with colleagues and other apprentices.
• Balance workplace learning with formal study, completing assignments and assessments on time.
• Attend training, workshops, and regular progress meetings to support your development.

What you’ll bring to the role

• A minimum of 5 GCSEs (grades 9–4 / A–C) including English and Maths, or equivalent.
• Familiarity with IT applications such as Outlook, Excel, and Word.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt to different audiences.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to prioritise your workload effectively.
• A willingness to learn, take on new tasks, and grow your skills.
• Ability to present information clearly, including compiling and monitoring data.
• A flexible, team-focused approach with a commitment to supporting colleagues.
• Awareness of equality, diversity, health & safety, and data protection principles.

Join us and gain valuable experience while working towards a nationally recognised qualification. This is a unique opportunity to learn, grow, and play your part in shaping Southwark’s future. We especially welcome applications from Southwark residents.

Why Southwark?

Southwark Council is the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues such as The Shard, The Tate Modern and Borough Market along with conservation areas, historic buildings, social enterprises and a young, diverse, and growing population.

At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals, and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark 2030 and Southwark Stands Together, underpins all that we do.

Employee benefits:

You’ll join a motivated, driven, and supportive team that values each of its members and strives for excellence. You’ll also be part of a successful, high-achieving development team making a real difference to the lives of residents across the borough. In return for all your hard work, skills and experience, you will receive:

• A competitive base salary (pro rata for part time staff)
• Strong supportive senior management team
• Regular one to one supervision
• Professional development & training opportunities
• Clear career development pathways
• Agile and flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Season ticket and cycle loans
• Annual Leave starting at 27 days per year, increasing to 35 (with length of service) (pro rata for part time staff)
• Wellbeing programme
• HSF Health plan and eye care scheme
• EAP employee assistance programme, confidential counselling and support
• Social clubs and staff groups

Additional information:

This role is being offered as a fixed term contract for 2 years. We encourage any internal staff to gain agreement from their substantive line manager if considering this as a secondment opportunity.

Full time, 36 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

This is a hybrid role, with time split between working from our offices and from home.

Closing date: 26 September 2025*

*We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role, in which case we will move the key dates for the process. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Interview date: 9 October 2025

Guaranteed Interview Scheme:

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition.

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Attachments

• Click here to view the Job Description and Person Specification