Business Administrator Apprentice

About the role

Role Summary

Working with colleagues within the Managing Directors Department and under the direction of the Company Secretary you will provide administrative support to the Company Secretary and to the Personal Assistant to the Managing Director. Although we work as one team under the Managing Director, your working week will be split between these two important roles. However, a degree of flexibility will be required by you to ensure an appropriate level of support and learning experience is provided when matters arise.

In this fast moving, often pressurised department this apprenticeship will provide you with a structured learning path to gain practical experience across various administrative functions while building essential skills in organisation, communication, and corporate governance. Under the guidance of experienced team members, you will assist with day-to-day administrative tasks and data protection support whilst providing excellent customer service, contributing to the overall productivity of the Managing Directors Department.

Salary:

£23,205

Hours of Work:

35

Contract:

15 month Apprenticeship

Probation Period:

6 Months

Notice Period:

1 Month

Who are we?

We provide more than 13,000 homes across Kent, Sussex and Surrey. Over the years we have invested heavily in our homes and continue to do so as part of the Peabody Group. We promote hybrid working and have more than 300 employees based in various locations across our operating area.

Meet your Manager

I have been working at Town and Country Housing (TCH) since May 2011. I have been the Company Secretary, Insurance Manager and Data Protection Officer since 2022. My journey from Assistant to the PA of the Chief Executive to Deputy Company Secretary in 2018 took place over a period of seven years, which is a testament to TCH’s ethos of ‘growing your own’ for succession planning.

With help from TCH I taught myself insurance management and am currently undertaking my Governance Degree. I am delighted to have the opportunity to teach what I have learned over my 14 years at TCH with someone who brings an openness and desire for professional growth.

I am passionate about mentoring and helping others with their career progression. The Company Secretariate is at the heart of every well-run organisation and I am excited to share with you how business administration will be a fundamental cornerstone for a variety of future career options.

Amara McKay - Company Secretary and Insurance Manager

What will you be doing?

Role Specific Responsibilities

During your apprenticeship you will

• Dedicate at least 20% of your working hours to training or studying by attend training sessions, workshops, and meetings to gain essential knowledge in the field.
• Participate in off and on-the-job training to apply your learning in real-world scenarios, enhancing your practical skills and understanding.
• Complete assignments, assessments, and coursework to fulfil the programmes requirements.
• Engage in 1:1 sessions and performance reviews, providing valuable insights for personal growth and skill development.
• Receive mentoring and support from experienced professionals, offering guidance to help you succeed.
• Have opportunities for career development within the company, exploring potential growth and advancement.
• Complete a final end point assessment to demonstrate your knowledge, skills, and competence at the end of your apprenticeship. If you have not yet achieved a Level 2 in Functional Skills in math’s and English (or equivalent, such as GCSEs at grades A-C/9-4), you will also be required to complete these qualifications during your apprenticeship.

•Provide administrative support to members of the Directorate including diary management, meeting coordination, travel arrangements and email monitoring.
•Provide meeting administrative support for a variety of meetings, which will include Board/Committee meetings and Executive Management Meetings. The support will include the scheduling meetings, preparing agendas, assisting with the preparation of reports/presentations and publication of meeting reports. There will be the opportunity to learn how to take professional minutes at meetings and to follow up on actions.
•To liaise with Board Members and the wider Peabody Group Executives in a professional and timely manner and help coordinate internal communications and updates from the Managing Director’s office.
•To proactively respond to enquiries from colleagues and other stakeholders to include drafting correspondence on behalf of the Managing Director and the Company Secretary.
•To assist with the timely responses to Data Subject Access Requests, co-ordinating the data collection, undertaking redactions and liaising with third parties where necessary.
•To assist with the timely management of responding to complaints within the remit of the Directorate. This will include external and residents’ complaints and enquiries from Members of Parliament.
•Administering the legal signing and sealing process ensuring that approvals and deed executions are undertaken in accordance with the TCH financial regulations and delegations.
•Assisting the Company Secretary with matters relating to the management of data protection including completing Data Protection Impact Assessments, Data Subject Access Requests, Data Breaches and training events.
•Assisting with the preparation and facilitation of internal and external events such as staff briefing sessions, staff conferences and board away days.
•Contribute to the continuous improvement of governance processes and systems.
•Assist with the maintenance of statutory registers and governance records.
•Handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
•This role may require you to attend meetings that are off-site, reasonable travel expenses will be paid and to attend evening Board/Committee meetings as part of your training. There is a maximum of 8 evening meetings per annum and your attendance will be on an ad hoc basis the commencement of which will be determined by the needs of your professional development.

APPRENTICESHIP

This is a Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship over 15 months, with at least 20% of your time dedicated to training. During this time, you will attend workshops, receive one-on- one mentoring, and apply your learning to real-world tasks. Upon completing the apprenticeship, you’ll have a final assessment to demonstrate your skills and readiness for a career in business administration. As part of your 15 month apprenticeship you will:

•Dedicate at least 20% of your working hours to training or studying by attend training sessions, workshops, and meetings to gain essential knowledge in the field.
•Participate in off and on-the-job training to apply your learning in real-world scenarios, enhancing your practical skills and understanding of business administration.
•Complete assignments, assessments, and coursework to fulfil the programmes requirements.
•Engage in 1:1 sessions and performance reviews, providing valuable insights for personal growth and skill development.
•Receive mentoring and support from experienced professionals, offering guidance to help you succeed.
•Have opportunities for career development within the company, exploring potential growth and advancement.
•Complete a final end point assessment to demonstrate your knowledge, skills, and competence at the end of your apprenticeship.
•If you have not yet achieved a Level 2 in Functional Skills in maths and English (or equivalent, such as GCSEs at grades A-C/9-4), you will also be required to complete these qualifications during your apprenticeship.

ABOUT YOU

You will be:
•Committed to delivering excellent results and customer service with a positive, flexible approach.
•Organised, hardworking team player with a “can-do” attitude.
•Willing to learn task prioritisation in a fast paced setting.
•Passionate about learning and achieving great results for all customers.
•Eager to develop skills in presenting data, producing reports, and creating procedures.
•Strong communicator who takes ownership of issues and seeks timely solutions.
•Enthusiastic about Apprenticeships and dedicated to ongoing professional growth.

You will have:
•Level 2 qualifications (equivalent to 5 GCSEs)
•Strong communication skills and proficiency in MS Office and Outlook.
•High attention to detail with a problem solving approach.
•Ability to work flexibly, under pressure, and meet tight deadlines.
•Understanding of GDPR requirements and commitment to confidentiality.
•Awareness of equal opportunities and support for Peabody’s Equal Opportunities Policy
•As an apprentice you will receive training to help you gain the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to be competent in your role.
•You will need to keep a detailed calendar, record dates, times, locations and details of every training session.
•Six hours a week you will undergo on the job learning, which will be in all areas of the Asset Team
•You will have a 1-2-1 once a month with your external skills trainer.
•You will undergo a progress review every 10-12 weeks
•The apprenticeship will last 15 months, at the end of which you be a qualified Business Administrator Apprentice.

This job description is a guide to the nature of the work required. It is not comprehensive, and it is expected that other duties will be undertaken as this role develops and as may be reasonably expected.

General

•To adhere to the equality, diversity and inclusion policy and actively promote equality of opportunity wherever possible.
•Recognise, respect, and promote the different roles and diversity of individuals.
•To actively contribute towards the key performance indicators and professional standards.
•Work in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Data Protection Law and be responsible for the integrity of personal information you process. This may include identifying anomalies in data and investigating and correcting them where appropriate. Ensure you attend training on data protection regularly.
•To be responsible for your own health and safety and that of your colleagues, in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and relevant EC directives.
•To participate in training, attend other meetings, and staff events as required.
•Be an effective member of your team, presenting a positive impression of your section and the Group.
•Take responsibility for recognising and recording customer complaints, however made, and ensure that any complaints allocated to you are responded to within policy requirements.
•Maintain professional curiosity in all interactions with residents, be aware of and report and record any potential safeguarding issues promptly and appropriately.
•Maintain awareness of budget requirements and value for money while delivering your role.
•Consider and highlight any risk to the organisation or individuals whilst delivering your role.
•Consider resident feedback (the resident voice) in all service delivery, using data and insight and actively engaging with residents to understand their needs, views and priorities and tailor services accordingly.

About You

Education & Qualifications

•GCSE standard or equivalent education
•Competent user of Microsoft Office packages (Outlook, Word, and Excel)

Key Skills & Competencies

•Experience of document management and diary co-ordination
•Knowledge of the housing sector would be an advantage
•Experience of delivering advice and complex information often in challenging situations
•Ability to manage expectations and act as a gatekeeper
•Knowledge of risk management/assessment frameworks

Behaviours

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for apprenticeship funding you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• You must have been a resident in the UK, or EEA, Switzerland, or Gibraltar if you are an EEA national with pre-settled status in the EUSS, for at least the previous three years (you will be asked to provide evidence of this)
• You must not hold a qualification at the same level or higher in the same subject
• You will need to be 18 or older at the start of the apprenticeship

If you are unsure whether you meet the eligibility criteria please contact recruitment@tch.org.uk and one of the team will be happy to discuss your application with you.

•Excellent verbal and written communication skills
•Strong interpersonal, influencing and negotiation skills
•Good numerical and analytical skills
•Proven ability to organise and prioritise work, meet deadlines, work under pressure and handle a number of tasks simultaneously and accurately.
•Proactive approach to solving problems
•Able to work as an effective team member with minimum supervision
•Ability to multitask and anticipate assignments while maintaining meticulous attention to detail
•Demonstrates resilience in pressured and stressful situations
•Ability to deal with sensitive information, maintaining discretion and confidentiality
•Ability to create an environment of trust, fairness and openness.
•Able to work with a high degree of autonomy and flexibility.
•Committed to continuing personal and professional development.

Why Choose Us

• Contributory pension scheme 4% to 10% matched contributions
• Hybrid working
• Free onsite car parking
• Life assurance of 4x annual salary (Terms and Conditions apply)
• 30 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays
• Two volunteer days per year
• Employee assistance programme (24/7 telephone advice, information portal & face to face counselling sessions)
• Corporate eye care scheme providing free eye tests and free VDU glasses or contribution towards VDU glasses
• Extensive annual Staff Wellbeing programme
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave provision
• Flexible annual benefits (for dental, healthcare, shopping vouchers, technology etc.)
• Annual flu vaccinations
• Access to an extensive range of corporate discounts on shopping, travel & days out
• Social events, including lunchtime walking, rounders, festive Fridays
• Travel loan

Our Values

Our culture is about the shared values, beliefs and behaviours that determine how we do things, then the ways and systems of working that help to get those things done.

Our new values, principles and behaviours will put customers at the heart and provide the foundation for the culture of the new organisation. Only by delivering a cohesive and customer-focused culture will we be able to achieve our purpose and priorites.

We have taken an inclusive and collaborative approach to developing the following values, working together with colleagues, customers and the Board:

Equal Opportunities Statement

TCH is an equal opportunities employer committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity or paternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership, or caring responsibilities.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join TCH.

We are recognised as a ‘Disability Confident Committed Employer’. As part of this commitment, individuals who disclose at application stage that they have a disability, will be invited to interview provided they demonstrate that they meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy. Candidates will be asked if they require any support or reasonable adjustments to enable them to fully participate in the recruitment process.

Apply

Internal Applications

Please send a letter clearly demonstrating how your skills and experience meet the criteria contained on the job description and person specification to recruitment@tch.org.uk.

For internal staff only: Please note, if you're currently on legacy TCH, Rosebery, InTouch, Family Mosaic etc Terms and Conditions and are successful in your application, you will automatically be transferred to the new Peabody Terms and Conditions.

Additionally, if you move to a TCH role on a secondment basis, your Terms and Conditions will not change.

If you have any questions, or require further clarification, please speak to HR.

External Applications

Please complete our online application form by clicking the Apply button below. We reserve the right to bring the closing date forward, so we strongly encourage early applications.

Please note: As an employer, Town & Country Housing does not provide sponsorship as a licensed UK employer.

Key dates

Applications Close:

Tuesday, 9 December 2025

Interview Date:

Tuesday, 16 December 2025