English Heritage - Business Officer

This is an exciting time for English Heritage. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is currently running a public consultation on the way in which our 400 historic properties are managed, conserved and made accessible to the public and also the way in which we help conserve England's wider historic environment.

The Business Support Team provides support across the local teams - work and will take a proactive role in service delivery through managing the delivery of grant-aid and advisory services and dealing directly with our customers

Overall purpose of the job:
As part of this team, the Business Officer will assist colleagues in the Historic Places, Development Management and Heritage at Risk service teams in the delivery of Departmental targets. They will facilitate the efficient provision of statutory and other advice and will manage individual grants from cradle to grave", including assisting with negotiations and complying with procurement and financial administration procedures. They will support the Local Leadership team in responding to external and internal requests for information and briefings.

Main duties and responsibilities:
1. To act as the initial point of contact for customer enquiries concerning grant-aided projects and advisory work, ensuring high standards of customer service at all times.

2. To support colleagues in the HAR Team by assessing applications for EH support in accordance with Departmental standards of eligibility and need, and to take full responsibility for effective management of assigned grant-aid processes including post-grant monitoring.

3. To support colleagues in the Historic Places Team with the delivery of statutory and other advice, with the delivery of local capacity-building initiatives and with the negotiation and administration of grant-aid.

4. To support colleagues in the Development Management Team with the initial appraisal, recording and assessment of statutory notifications and other requests for English Heritage advice, providing information as necessary for specialist consideration.

5.  To monitor regularly and take responsibility for progress-chasing to facilitate timely delivery of all English Heritage advice, including establishing and maintaining operational links with external customers (e.g. local authorities), and effective collaboration among colleagues within the local office.

6.  To support the Business Manager in the monitoring, analysis, reporting, and quality control of all business activities, including the compilation of information and briefing to meet corporate and external requirements and the forecasting and management of operational budgets.

7.  To undertake role of ‘Super User’ as required for testing and staff training in the use of information management systems, as delegated by the Business Manager.

8.  To support the delivery of NHPP activities (including supporting activities such as capacity-building) as agreed with line management.

9.  To be an effective advocate for the benefits for local places of conserving heritage assets

10. To undertake any other reasonable duties commensurate with the grade and competencies required of the post requested by line management.

Essential:

- Previous experience of working in a team environment
- Experience of working directly with members of the public Desirable:

- Educated to degree standard or equivalent
- Experience of working in the historic environment sector
- NVQ in Business Administration Level 3 or equivalent experience

Knowledge and skills
Essential:

- Good numeracy and analytical skills
- Ability to interpret maps and architectural planselevations
- Aptitude for implementing detailed business process
- Ability to work under pressure and use own initiative
- Adaptable IT skills, including use of databases, GIS
and internet

Desirable:

- Enthusiasm for the historic environment and its management
- A familiarity with the planning process in England
- Knowledge of English Heritage grant and statutory procedures

Interpersonal skills
Essential:

- Commitment to the provision of excellent public service
- Good oral and written communication skills
- Customer service skills including effective telephone manner