Spaceflight Administrator (Milton Keynes, ENG, GB, MK7 6AA)Salary: £30378.00Change your career, change livesThe Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education. Find out more about us and our mission by watching this short video (you will be taken to YouTube by clicking this link).About the Role We are seeking an enthusiastic Administrator to join the Atmospheric research and space exploration Group at The Open University, Milton Keynes. The role will involve providing high-level administrative support to ensure the efficient operation of the team and the effective delivery of its core activities. You will work as part of a dynamic team to support both academic and administrative functions, contributing to the overall success of the team. The role is initially available on a short-term basis, with the possibility to extend the role based on funding availability.Key Responsibilities To provide proactive and administration support for the Group including:Provide daily operational guidance.Provide effective diary management.Operating an efficient system for paper and electronic correspondence and information.Maintain filing systems in line with data protection, retention and other policies.Draft, prepare and circulate a wide range of documents as required, including material of a highly confidential nature.Support and take minutes at Group and project meetings.Book rooms, catering and IT/AV equipment for meetings in a timely manner.Assist members of the Group resolving day to day issues when required.Support the coordination of new staff inductions within the Group.Assist with visitor arrangements, organising travel, arranging accommodation and if necessary, meeting them on site.To coordinate complex travel arrangements for Group members, in line with university procedures.To place procurement orders for the Group members for equipment and consumables.Update website and email distribution lists as and when required, working in conjunction with the members of the Group.Support the preparation of grant applications as required, depending on workload.Provide support to the organisation and delivery of conferences, meetings and workshops organised by the Group. Including booking venues, travel and accommodation, and other support as required.Have a strong commitment to the principles and practice of equality and diversity.Provide support to the project manager regarding managing budgets. This includes maintaining up to date records and timesheets, recording budgets, managing spreadsheets, contributing to quarterly forecasts, drafting budgets in support of conferences/projects, and arranging for the payment of invoices using the appropriate university system.Work collaboratively with colleagues in the team and undertake other such duties as may be reasonably required by the project manager and the Group Lead.About You Essential:Good level of general education (GCSE/O-level equivalent) including English and Maths at Grade C or above.Experience of working independently and as a member of a team.Ability to use absolute discretion, initiative and personal judgement for dealing with sensitive and confidential matters.Experience of planning and organising your own work, including dealing with multiple tasks in parallel and delivering to competing deadlines.Good written and oral communication skills and experience of using a variety of communication methods.Experience of organising meetings and writing minutes.Ability to solve problems, using information from a variety of sources to aid analysis and make timely decisions.Experience of IT including use of Microsoft applications, particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.Demonstration of a personal commitment to developing interpersonal skills, with an understanding of impact on individuals, respecting and valuing diversity. Desirable:Familiarity with website content delivery and social media.Use of SharePoint for documentation.A working knowledge of STEM research environments.Knowledge of project management principles and experience of supporting projects.Support with your applicationIf you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact us on 01908 541111 or email careers@open.ac.uk quoting the advert reference number.What's in it for you?At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance. Get all the details of what benefits we offer by visiting our Staff Benefits page (clicking this link will open a new window).Flexible workingWe are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you. Work locationIt is anticipated that a hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where you can work from home and the office. However, as this role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes office some attendance in the office will be required in response to business needs. We’d expect this to be at least three times per week. Next steps in the Recruitment processThe advert for this role closes on 31st October and we anticipate interviews taking place mid / late November. Early closing date notificationWe may close this job advert earlier than the published closing date where a satisfactory number of applications are received. We would therefore encourage early applications.How to applyTo apply for this role please submit the following document(s):CVSupporting statement (this should be no more than 1000 words and tailored to the JD for the role, outlining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria listed above) You can view your progress and application communications when you are logged into our recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folders if you do not receive associated email updates.