Business Support Manager

Purpose of the post:

As part of our Business Directorate, this role will lead a first-class comprehensive support function that underpins all areas of the charity:

·      The post holder will be someone who is organised, efficient and adaptable who can manage time effectively in a very busy role, juggling multiple responsibilities and keeping large volumes of information at their fingertips, who prioritises the needs of The Reading Agency at all times, appreciates an informal but professional work environment and enjoys supporting a busy team working in an agile environment.

·      You will be a core member of the Business Directorate supporting the Head of Finance and Operations to ensure that the organisation functions efficiently, effectively and sustainably.

Key responsibilities:

·      Co-ordinate support across the organisation, working with the leadership team, core business and programme teams to coordinate meetings, create visual content and resources, design artwork, support day-to-day communications.

·      To manage logistics and delivery of in-person events in liaison with Marcomms and programme teams (e.g. World Book Night, Summer Reading Challenge launches), and coordinating internal events (e.g. Staff days, Board meetings). 

·      Managing The Reading Agency online shop processes and being a key point of contact for print and design suppliers, and ensuring high quality customer service for partners and customers in contact with the charity.

·      Line management of the Business Support Administrator.

·      Managing the office facilities and equipment, and homeworking requirements to ensure staff can carry out their work effectively, and act as the key day-to-day liaison between The Reading Agency and Society of Authors, working with the Head of Finance and Operations.

·      Staff Health and Safety Lead: Monitoring health and safety, undertaking desk assessments and providing health and safety guidance to all staff and associates.

·      Carrying out other projects or duties as may be requested by The Reading Agency management where capacity allows.

Key contacts:

·      The Leadership Team

·      Other members of the wider Business Directorate Team (HR, Finance, Systems)

·      Programme Managers and their teams

·      MarComms

·      Other colleagues across the organisation, external stakeholders and partners

Skills/Knowledge:

·      Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office and other applications, including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams and Zoom

·      Ability to work with and understand databases and customer relationship management systems like Salesforce

·      Strong organisational skills and demonstrable ability to prioritise and work to deadlines in a fast-paced environment

·      Strong relationship building skills, with the ability to achieve positive shared outcomes

·      Strong written and verbal communication skills

·      Excellent people management skills

Experience:

·      Ability to come up with creative solutions and ideas

·      Ability to remain calm and work effectively under pressure, adapting and reprioritising as necessary for changing circumstances

·      Able to work successfully as a member of a team, where colleagues work in separate locations and communicate via email, Teams and Zoom