Business Support Officer (Housing Adaptations & Grants Team

12 months fixed term contract

We are looking for a motivated Business Support Officer to join our Housing Adaptations & Grants Team, providing vital technical and administrative support to help deliver services that support residents to live safely and independently in their homes.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About the role

As a Business Support Officer, you will be at the heart of the Housing Adaptations & Grants Team, providing a wide range of administrative, financial and customer service support. You will be responsible for handling enquiries, processing applications, maintaining accurate records, supporting financial processes and ensuring the smooth operation of key business systems.

This varied role requires excellent organisational skills, strong attention to detail and the ability to provide a professional service to customers, colleagues and external partners.

What You'll Do

• Respond to customer enquiries received by telephone, email and letter, providing information and support or directing enquiries appropriately.

• Input customer requests and service information accurately into databases and electronic systems.

• Process applications and correspondence in line with procedures and service standards.

• Generate reports to support Freedom of Information requests, service monitoring and statistical returns.

• Manage service mailboxes and ensure enquiries are directed and actioned efficiently.

• Maintain accurate records and undertake database housekeeping activities to ensure data quality.

• Process invoices, raise purchase orders and support financial administration within the service.

• Arrange meetings, prepare agendas and take accurate notes and minutes where required.

• Support the maintenance of service information on the Council website.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues and partner agencies to support efficient service delivery.

About you

We are looking for someone who thrives in a busy administrative role and is committed to delivering excellent customer service.

You will have:

• A good standard of general education.

• Strong literacy, numeracy and IT skills.

• Experience of working with customers, colleagues and external organisations in a professional environment.

• Experience of providing administrative support within a team setting.

• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Word and Excel, and experience using databases.

• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.

• Strong customer service skills, including the ability to deal confidently and professionally with challenging situations.

• The ability to work independently, use initiative and adapt to changing priorities.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do

Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential

Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way

Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave

• A wide range of flexible working opportunities

• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading

• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)

• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted

• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work

• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact Carla.Thomas-Bellamy@reading.gov.uk

Closing Date: Wednesday 4th November 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Interview Process: To be confirmed