Receptionist (12m FTC)

About BII

British International Investment (BII) is the UK’s leading development finance institution, wholly owned by the UK Government. Our primary mission is to address global development challenges through strategic investments that promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

BII focuses on catalysing economic development, creating jobs, and building resilient economies in some of the world's most complex and underserved markets. We invest in businesses and projects that prioritise inclusive development, environmental sustainability, and innovation.

Our approach is characterised by rigorous investment standards, high governance principles, and a commitment to delivering measurable development impact. Our team consists of highly skilled and passionate professionals dedicated to making a tangible difference globally.

We foster a collaborative and intellectually stimulating work environment that values curiosity, innovation, and professional growth. Our culture balances high performance with a strong emphasis on wellbeing, ensuring our employees can achieve their full potential while contributing to our mission.

BII at a glance:

Over 75 years supporting sustainable business growth in developing and emerging markets

More than £9.9 billion in net assets

1,600+ businesses invested in

950,000+ workers in the businesses we support

650+ people in our diverse global team

3 key development objectives: Productive | Sustainable | Inclusive

Team and role overview

BII requires a full time Receptionist to join the existing team consisting of two other Receptionists and the Head Receptionist. Working alongside the team you will support the delivery of an efficient and effective reception service that prides itself on the quality of service they deliver and ensure that all callers and visitors are handled promptly and courteously in line with company procedures. You will be the initial voice and face of the company therefore you will need to be well presented, composed, have a clear and concise telephone manner and the ability to multitask whilst always staying proactive. This role requires a dynamic, collaborative, self-starting individual with a positive attitude and a strong work ethic, excellent communication skills, a down to earth nature whilst at the same time remaining professional.

Purpose

Following an expansion programme BII continues to grow in London and overseas.  We seek an experienced and well- presented Receptionist to manage the day-to-day operation of a busy reception ensuring it meets the evolving needs of BII’s external and internal clients.

Responsibilities

Reception

• Monitor the reception email replying to messages in a timely manner.
• Meeting and greeting of clients and colleagues in a professional and polished manner.
• Escorting clients to their meeting rooms and offering refreshments.
• Booking couriers
• Monitor incoming post and courier deliveries, the use of a franking machine and ensure outgoing post is ready to be picked up every afternoon.
• Liaising with building maintenance on any jobs that need to be done.
• Collect daily newspapers from building security in the mornings.
• Ensuring kitchen area is tidy and canteen stocks are adequate, restocking when necessary.
• Booking lunches online and setting up the meeting room for lunches.
• Assisting other support staff with ad hoc duties as necessary.

Switchboard

• Handle all incoming and outgoing calls in a warm, confident and polite manner.
• Where appropriate, ensure all callers are directed to the appropriate person or department.

Meeting Rooms

• Ensure the reservation of meeting rooms is performed via Outlook calendars and managed appropriately.
• Adjusting and rearranging meeting rooms as required to ensure maximum efficiency.
• Setting up meeting rooms to the required standard and clearing down when necessary, after meetings.
• Ordering lunches, preparation and set up in the meeting room.
• Responsible for making sure the reception and meeting room areas are always neat and tidy.
• Ensure the clocks are set correctly and meeting rooms are stocked up with stationery weekly.
• Assist with internal and external conferences, functions and events and occasional out of office hours events (once or twice per year).

Security

• Using an in-house system, you will keep the security reception team for the building updated with details of any guests expected.
• Ensuring the staff swipe card database is accurate and kept up to date, notifying the building security team of any lost or damaged cards and arranging cards for new staff members.
• Ensuring that only authorised visitors enter BII’s offices.

Technical Skills

• Competent in Microsoft 365, Outlook, TEAMS, Word and Excel.
• Confident handling video conference technologies (Zoom/TEAMS/WebEx).
• Proven experience submitting accurate expense/invoice claims and data (Concur experience desirable).

Office Management

Assist Facilities Manager and Head Receptionist with the following:

• Acting as fire wardens and first-aiders.
• Logging issues and liaising with IT for technical support for meeting rooms.
• Reporting of equipment faults and Health & Safety issues to the Facilities Team.
• Ordering of catering supplies and associated consumables.
• Process invoices and expenses.

The candidate

Background, skills, aptitude

• Demonstratable reception experience and ability to work in a team.
• Excellent communication skills and telephone manner are essential.
• High level of social and diplomacy skills.
• Confident, cheerful, and resourceful team-player.
• Experience of working in a varied reception role that can have very busy moments and quiet moments.
• Strong IT skills
• Ability to build rapport with others internally and externally.
• Flexible and adaptable.
• Ability to stay calm under pressure.
• Attention to detail, especially checking and making sure rooms are perfect each time.
• Passion for service excellence.

Personal Skills

• Communication: Appropriate written/verbal communication to effectively carry out role.
• Team Working: Collaboration with own team and the larger employee community.
• Results Focus: Drive to achieve objectives/results.
• Personal Effectiveness: Organising self/teams to meet agreed deadlines.
• Influencing/Persuading: Ability to obtain agreement and cooperation in a ‘win-win’

Reception Hours 

Reception opening hours are from 08h00 to 18h00. Receptionists are required to work 9-hour shifts with a one-hour lunch break as follows on a rota basis: 

• 0800 – 1700hrs 
• 0830 – 1730hrs 
• 0900 – 1800hrs 

The role will involve undertaking work out of normal office hours, assisting mainly but not limited to internal and external conferences, functions and events. 

Our cultural values

We look for team members who aspire, as we do, to work at our best and to be:

• Impact-led, commercially rigorous
• Tenacious in the face of challenges
• Collaborative and caring

British International Investment is committed to diversity and inclusion and welcomes all applicants regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or educational background. 

Please provide a cover letter with your application

Salary: Competitive