Advanced Business Administration Apprentice

The Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge

Cambridge (CB2 0SP)

Closes in 25 days (Sunday 24 May 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 29 April 2026

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Summary

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Office of the School of Clinical Medicine. The role provides an efficient administrative service to the Head of General Division and team. The role provides support to a wide range of different areas and projects that impact the School Office and the School Departments.

 

Wage

£20,058 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

CPS Pension Scheme

Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Hours
Monday-Friday 8 am-4 pm or 9 am-5 pm.

36 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 6 July 2026

Duration

1 year 8 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

• You will provide a supportive secretarial/administrative service to the Head of General Division and the team.
• Organise meetings/committees, collate and prepare papers, take minutes, circulate minutes and review actions, and organise catering.
• Assist with other projects – related to Departmental Administration and building-related issues i.e., space, EAP, Contingency planning.
• Office management: You will oversee the successful day-to-day running of the School Office.
• Assist with the organisation of internal and external events
• The role holder organises the School Office Christmas lunch for 120 staff (annual) and one summer event.
• Assists with induction process of new starters.
• Manages the holiday and sickness, and appraisal and probation, responsible for managing this on the HR system.
• Developing and maintaining the School’s Sharepoint and public web pages.
• Providing advice and information on all parking issues connected with Clinical School staff in liaison with Addenbrooke’s Access Office.
• Responsible for processing expenses, ensuring they are correctly coded, and keeping concise records of items of expenditure.
• Responsibility for the I-Procurement purchasing system alongside CUFS.
• Processing and recording overtime costs
• The role holder will provide assistance to the room booking administrator. They will approve rooms using the Outlook system and provide cover to the post holder during periods of absence.

Where you'll work

University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine
Cambridge Biomedical Campus
Cambridge
CB2 0SP

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

CAMBRIDGE REGIONAL COLLEGE

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

This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

More training information

We offer a large range of training courses available for staff at the University, for IT, Finance, HR, AI and a range of other training courses.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade C or 4 or above)
  • Maths (grade C or 4 or above)

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
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative

About this employer

The School of Clinical Medicine currently employs nearly 3,000 people, spanning all varieties of staff type from Academic Professors to administrative support.

The Clinical School Office provides central professional services to the Head of the School (Professor Patrick Maxwell, Regius Professor of Physic), the Clinical Dean (Dr Paul Wilkinson), Sub-Deans, and the Academic Departments, Units and Institutes of the School.  The Secretary of the School, Dr Caroline Edmonds, is overall head of professional services.

• The General Division has responsibility for the management of administrative functions and resources across the School of Clinical Medicine. In addition, it has oversight of all departmental administration, including the overall management of all HR, Estates, Financial, Facilities and Strategic Planning matters at departmental level. (Headed by Mrs Jackie Hall).  
 
• The Education Division works closely with the Clinical Dean, Deanery Team and the Secretary of the School on matters of educational policy and strategy. Faculty Board considers all educational aspects of the School’s business, covering undergraduates, graduates, and clinical trainees, and the Secretary of the Faculty Board provides leadership for the relevant administrative teams within the School. (Headed by Dr Litsa Biggs).
• The Resources Division has responsibility for managing the finances of the Clinical School and all departments through two main arms: Accounts and Financial Planning & Analysis.  (Headed by Mr Robin Uttin)
• The Research Office offers expert guidance in securing and administering sponsored research funding for our academics, administrators and sponsors. (Headed by Mr Lyndon Bridgewater)
• The HR Team supports management and staff in the School by promoting best practice and providing employee relations
case support, HR management information, guidance on the application of HR policies and procedures, as well as some recruitment services.  

The School Office building also offers recently refurbished shared teaching and meeting room facilities, including an e-learning suite, and a staff and student café.

 

 

After this apprenticeship

There is a wide range of opportunities to stay in the university after the apprenticeship. Many of our previous apprentices have gone on to other Professional Services roles, such as Office Administrator, HR or Event administration.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CAMBRIDGE REGIONAL COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000029009.

Apply now

Closes in 25 days (Sunday 24 May 2026 at 11:59pm)