Business Administration Apprentice - Sheffield
HARPER JAMES LIMITED
Sheffield (S1 4UP)
Closes on Wednesday 22 October 2025
Posted on 18 September 2025
Contents
Summary
Harper James is looking for a new apprentice within their Operations team! You will be studying for your Business Administration Level 3 Apprenticeship.
- Wage
-
£14,722.50 to £23,809.50, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
- Training course
- Business administrator (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday-Friday.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Wednesday 29 October 2025
- Duration
-
1 year 3 months
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
We’re Harper James, a fast-growing, full-service commercial law firm with a unique subscription-based model designed for ambitious SMEs. Backed by private equity and home to over 150 people, we’re expanding our business operations team in Sheffield and are excited to offer an opportunity for a motivated Operations Apprentice to join us for a 15-month apprenticeship.
Purpose of the Role:
You will provide vital administrative support to our operations and legal teams, particularly focusing on new client onboarding, office administration and record keeping. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain real-world office experience, develop professional skills, and play a key role in keeping our operations running smoothly.
Core Responsibilities:
You’ll provide essential administrative support across the firm, helping our business operations and legal teams. Your work will include:
- Ensuring accurate completion of New Client Forms and actively involved in client communication
- Maintaining records of completed clients’ engagement documents in our document management systems
- Providing general administrative support, including filing and data entry and database management
- Responding to internal and external onboarding enquiries where necessary.
- General office management including hot desk/meeting room bookings, monitoring office pantry and stationery levels, post etc.
- Assisting with planned and ad hoc administrative tasks.
What we are looking for
- Excellent interpersonal skills to adapt to a busy, fast-paced office environment.
- Exceptional organisational skills and a detail-oriented approach to your day-to-day work.
- Confident and strong communication skills are a must as this role will directly liaise with clients.
- IT savvy and strong Microsoft 365 experience or ability to learn quickly on the job.
- A proactive approach to work and an ability to prioritise and work to strict deadlines
- Willing to learn and adapt ways of working to improve client experience.
Our Benefits - What We Can Offer You
- Enrolment on the Business Administrator Level 3 Apprenticeship with full support from our training partner Babington.
- Practical experience in legal admin, business operations and professional standards.
- We focus on your attitude and potential, not just your qualifications – this opportunity is designed to support people starting out in their careers.
- 33 days holiday, including public holidays.
- Option to buy up to 5 holiday days a year.
- Private healthcare.
- Discounted gym memberships, access to retailer discounts, team socials and more!
Where you'll work
Dearing House, 1 Young Street
Sheffield
S1 4UP
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
PARAGON EDUCATION & SKILLS LIMITED
Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
- Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
- Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.
- Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
- Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
- Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
- Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.
- Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.
Training schedule
Founded in 1974, we've been delivering market-leading learning and talent solutions for over forty years. We’re privileged to help individuals unlock their potential and realise the value of their skills and talents. We help build meaningful careers that give individuals security, satisfaction, and purpose – and in turn help organisations and wider industry meet the challenges of a changing operating environment.
On completion of this 15-month apprenticeship, you will have gained your Business Administration Apprenticeship L3 Qualification.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
Other in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
Other requirements
The closing date is guidance, if a successful candidate is found before the advertised dates, the advert will close early.
About this employer
Established in 2014 by Toby Harper, our founder and CEO, Harper James is a new breed of commercial law firm. Our purpose is as clear now as it was in 2014 – we want to enable growth-oriented businesses to succeed. We do this by delivering top-quality and accessible legal services and acting as partners in our clients’ journeys while operating according to our unique values. We work nationally with start-ups through to unicorns and long-running established businesses that may now be looking to scale or looking to exit.
After this apprenticeship
Possibility of a full-time role after the completion of the apprenticeship.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
PARAGON EDUCATION & SKILLS LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000342872.
Apply now
Closes on Wednesday 22 October 2025
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