Senior Business Support Officer – AR

Location: Cheshire West & Chester Council
Working Arrangement: Hybrid
Contract: Agency

Job Purpose

Cheshire West & Chester Council is seeking an organised and proactive Senior Business Support Officer to join its Children’s Services team. The role will focus on recruitment onboarding and providing administrative support across the service, ensuring new employees and agency workers are onboarded efficiently, accurately and in line with council policies and procedures.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate the onboarding of new permanent employees and agency workers across Children’s Services.
• Process and monitor DBS checks, obtain employment references and complete Right to Work checks.
• Track outstanding pre-employment checks and ensure all required documentation is completed within agreed timescales.
• Liaise with candidates, recruiting managers, agencies and HR colleagues to resolve queries and provide updates.
• Maintain accurate recruitment records and ensure confidential information is handled in line with data protection requirements.
• Provide wider business and administrative support, responding to enquiries and maintaining effective administrative systems.
• Produce and monitor management information, performance reports and relevant service data.
• Support and supervise Business Support Officers, including allocating workloads, providing guidance and helping maintain service standards.
• Contribute to improving administrative processes and ensuring an efficient, customer-focused service.

Essential Requirements

• NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration or Finance.
• ECDL or equivalent advanced Microsoft Office skills.
• Experience working efficiently in a busy administrative environment.
• Experience supervising, mentoring or supporting colleagues and allocating workloads.
• Experience collecting and monitoring data and producing accurate reports.
• Strong organisational, communication and time-management skills.
• Knowledge of data protection, confidentiality and information-sharing requirements.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and use initiative.
• Flexible approach to work and ability to travel across Cheshire West and Chester.

Desirable Experience

• Experience in recruitment administration, onboarding or pre-employment checks.
• Previous experience within a local authority, Children’s Services, social care or a similar regulated environment.
• Knowledge of council systems such as Oracle or Liquid Logic.
• Experience liaising with external agencies and supporting recruitment compliance.

Working Arrangements

This is a hybrid and flexible role, involving work at council offices, other suitable locations and from home, as well as travel across Cheshire West and Chester where required.