• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2BX. Hybrid work
• Salary: £26,016 per annum (pro rata)
• Hours: 22.2 hours per week, flexible working options available
• Contract: Permanent

Are you looking for a varied and rewarding role where your work helps make a real difference to children, families and childcare providers across Suffolk?

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join Suffolk County Council’s Early Years and Childcare Service as an Administrator, known internally as Business Support Officer.

Based at Endeavour House in Ipswich, with flexible hybrid working options, you will become part of a friendly and supportive team that plays a vital role in delivering services to families and professionals across the county.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys variety, has strong organisational skills, and takes pride in delivering high-quality customer service and administrative support.

Your role and responsibilities

As an Administrator, you will provide a wide range of administrative, financial and customer support functions that help ensure the smooth delivery of services within the Early Years and Childcare Service.

Working as part of a collaborative team, you will support colleagues, childcare providers, families and partner organisations, helping to maintain efficient systems and processes that contribute to positive outcomes for children across Suffolk.

Your day-to-day work may include:

• responding to enquiries from parents, carers, childcare providers and professionals.
• updating and maintaining records, databases and spreadsheets, including provider and Ofsted information.
• supporting administrative and financial processes.
• organising meetings and coordinating information for colleagues.
• maintaining accurate records and monitoring processes.
• assisting with communications and promotional activities, including social media content.
• supporting service improvement activities and helping identify opportunities to make processes more efficient.
• undertaking a variety of business support tasks across the wider service as required.

What you will need

We are looking for someone who:

• has excellent organisational skills and strong attention to detail
• communicates confidently and professionally with a wide range of people
• is committed to providing excellent customer service
• has experience of using Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word and Outlook
• can manage competing priorities and work effectively on their own initiative
• enjoys working as part of a team and supporting colleagues
• is flexible, positive and willing to learn new systems and processes.
• You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (JPP), which you can find in the ‘How to apply’ section towards the bottom of this advert.

If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don’t meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

You’ll be joining a friendly and supportive team within a wider service of around 40 colleagues. We work closely together, value each other’s expertise, and take pride in delivering a high-quality service for children and young people.

Our team culture is collaborative, inclusive and forward-thinking. We encourage innovation, welcome new ideas, and are committed to continuously improving how we work. From day one, you’ll be part of a team that values professionalism, mutual support and making a positive difference.

While we would ideally like the hours to be worked across Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, we are happy to discuss flexible working arrangements.

Empowering Everyone

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

Please contact either Allison Rippon by emailing allison.rippon@suffolk.gov.uk or Angela Lymberis by emailing angela.lymberis@suffolk.gov.uk

How to apply

Step 1 – Read the Job and Person Profile (Word).

Step 2 – Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.

Step 3 – Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template (Word).

1. Give an example of when you maintained accurate records, databases or spreadsheets. What steps did you take to ensure the information remained accurate and up to date?
2. Tell us about a time when you used your initiative to solve a problem or respond to a query without direct supervision. What approach did you take?
3. Give an example of when you had to communicate information clearly to a range of people, either verbally or in writing. How did you ensure your message was understood?
4. Describe a time when you organised a meeting, event or administrative process. What did you do to ensure everything ran smoothly?

Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page.

Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Please ensure your application still reflects your own skills, experience and ideas. If used inappropriately, your application may not be processed. Please read our guidance for using AI to understand what’s acceptable.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team by either emailing recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or calling 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages.

Closing date: 11.30 pm, 5 November 2026.

Interview date: 18 and 19 November 2026.

Promoted as SPJ (Standard Plus Job) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.  #LI-Hybrid

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).