Business Administrator

Purpose of the post

The Business Administrator will play a key role in ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of AHS. This position focuses on the practical delivery and coordination of operations including implementing processes, maintaining systems, and supporting teams to work efficiently to deliver a longitudinal study. Acting as a central point for administration, the postholder will help keep our operations organised, identify and escalate issues as they arise, and ensure that processes and activities run seamlessly across our remote organisation.

About Adolescent Health Study

The Adolescent Health Study (AHS) is an ambitious new UKRI-funded initiative to establish a prospective, longitudinal population study that will generate a globally leading open science data platform and research resource. AHS aims to recruit at least 100,000 young people from across the UK and to follow their mental and physical health and wellbeing over at least 10 years. It plans to collect data through questions and measures; to obtain bio-samples for a wide range of genomic and other high-throughput assays; and to capture linked data relevant to health and wellbeing from participants’ health, education and other administrative records. There will be a strong emphasis on engaging with and involving young people, schools, parents and other relevant stakeholders in the design and delivery of the study, as well as on including young people that represent as wide as possible a range of backgrounds, experiences and characteristics. AHS will focus on enabling a wide range of research, including studies of the critical biological and social developments that occur during the transition from childhood to adulthood and the determinants of both mental and physical health and wellbeing in adolescents and young adults.

Main responsibilities

 Operational Delivery and Implementation

·       Provide hands-on support to teams and managers in rolling out new tools, systems and operational processes that are critical for the success of the longitudinal study

·       Support the smooth, day-to-day running of business operations, ensuring tasks and processes are completed efficiently

·       Identify operational issues or bottlenecks, propose practical solutions where appropriate, and escalate matters to the Business Manager

Administration and Systems Management

·       Maintain and update shared digital platforms, databases and documents to ensure accuracy and compliance

·       Manage administrative functions such as task tracking in a fully virtual environment

·       Provide day-to-day administrative support including preparing, filing, archiving and retrieving documents

·       Manage AHS central inbox(es) and escalate matters to the Business Manager as appropriate

Team Coordination and Support

·       Coordinate meetings and workshops, including scheduling and logistics, for AHS team members and external parties as required

·       Provide key administrative support during meetings, including business and study meeting minutes as required

People and HR Administration

·       Support HR processes including onboarding, training coordination, and maintaining staff and contractor records

Knowledge, skills and experience Essential criteria

·       Experience of working in a health and/or data research environment

·       Qualified to A level or vocational qualifications, or equivalent, plus some experience in a relevant role

·       Proficient in Microsoft Office suite of software

·       Able to manage information electronically through databases and spreadsheets

·       Excellent organisational and time management skills with the proven ability to prioritise and, at times under pressure, produce accurate work to deadlines

·       Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to take ownership of problems and find solutions

·       Understanding and experience of using project management tools and techniques

Desirable criteria

·       Experience of working in an organisation in its infancy or a start-up

Dimensions

·       This is expected to be a full-time post

·       AHS is a national organisation, and our activities take place across the UK

·       Flexible working will be required across several geographical locations in the UK

Application Process

This post is subject to receipt of satisfactory references and the post holder having the right to work in the UK (visa sponsorship is not available). Please apply with a CV and a covering letter (of no more than two pages) explaining what you can bring to this role, and including your current salary,

The closing date for this position is EoD Sunday 16 November.

 Interviews are currently expected to be held during the week commencing 08 December 2025.

 Equal Opportunities Policy Statement

AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. It is our policy to provide employment equality to all, irrespective of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Beyond these protected characteristics, we acknowledge the importance of socio-economic background, childcare and caring responsibilities, educational background, neurodiversity, and any other factors that shape an individual’s identity and opportunities. We strive to create an environment where all colleagues feel valued, supported, and able to contribute fully.

Values

It is an exciting time for the Adolescent Health Study (AHS) as we establish our senior leadership team in 2025. As the senior executive team evolves, the AHS values will be grounded in inclusivity, integrity, accountability, and collaboration.