Receptionist

We're seeking a professional and personable part-time Receptionist to serve as the welcoming face of Burlington House for 12 months. In this pivotal role, you'll create exceptional first impressions while ensuring smooth operations at our reception desk.

Your responsibilities include managing visitor check-ins, handling communications, supporting meeting room bookings, and assisting with hospitality coordination. The ideal candidate possesses excellent customer service skills, efficient problem-solving abilities, and a professional demeanour. Join our team and make a difference from the moment visitors walk through our doors.

Hours: 21 hours per week, office based, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 09:00-17:00. May require occasional flexibility to support events running from 8am to 10pm, with advance notice provided where possible.

What we are looking for:

Essential:

• Proven ability to deliver a high standard of customer service, with a friendly proactive and professional attitude. Previous experience as a receptionist or in a similar role is essential.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a courteous and professional manner when interacting with clients, customers and colleagues.
• Well organised with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, prioritise effectively, and maintain attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.
• Motivated, proactive and enthusiastic team player;
• Proficient using Microsoft Office Suite [Outlook, Word and Excel]; with the ability to learn in-house booking and scheduling systems or visitor management tools.
• Capable of handling unexpected situations calmly and efficiently, using sound judgement to find practical solutions.
• Knowledge of reception arrangements including switchboard operation.
• Willingness to work closely with venue, hospitality and facilities, teams to ensure smooth daily operations and successful event delivery.
• Willingness to work flexible hours occasionally to support events.

Desirable:

• Familiarity with venue or event coordination environments, including room booking procedures and guest flow management, is an advantage.
• Knowledge of fire evacuations, emergency procedures and responding to first aid requests.
• Basic understanding of event coordination processes.
• First Aid at Work qualification.

If you are interested in this role, please apply before the end of the closing date. When applying, you will need to provide an up-to-date CV and as a cover letter (in no more than 500 words) telling us about your relevant knowledge, skills and competencies and why you are applying for this role.

About the RSC

Since 1857, Burlington House has been the Royal Society of Chemistry’s London residence. In 2010, we opened our doors as a venue, offering a distinctly different opportunity for those looking for a unique and convenient setting for events. We have six rooms for hire, hosting events including conferences, seminars and symposia, promotional events, award ceremonies, private functions and more. As a not-for-profit organisation, we invest all profits into advancing the excellence of chemical sciences.

Visit our Work For Us website to learn more about us, our benefits, equal opportunities statement and inclusive culture pledge.

At the RSC, we recognise the benefits of a diverse workforce and welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds to apply. We particularly encourage applications from disabled and ethnic minority candidates.

As a part of the Disability Confident Scheme, we endeavour, where possible, to offer an interview to candidates meeting the essential criteria of the role, who has a substantial physical/mental impairment which impacts their ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.

We are committed to making our recruitment processes accessible to all and as part of this, we are flexible in the ways we give and receive information. If you would like to apply using a different format, please contact the Recruitment Team at [email protected] or on +44 (0) 1223 432229 and we will do our best to put any reasonable adjustments in place.

If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected]