Senior Administrator

Chichester, West Dean
Part-time, Permanent (21 hours per week)
£25,500 – £30,500 per year pro rata (depending on experience)

About Us

West Dean is a unique and inspiring place to work, combining internationally recognised education in arts, design, craft, and conservation with a rich heritage environment.

About the Role

We are looking for a highly organised and detail-oriented Senior Administrator to join our Academic & Student Services team.

This is a varied and collaborative role where you will support the smooth delivery of both award-bearing and professional development programmes. Working closely with academic staff and the Academic Officer, you will provide high-quality administrative support across a wide range of activities, contributing to an excellent student experience.

You will be involved in programme coordination, maintaining student records, supporting course development, and assisting with key College events, making this an ideal role for someone who enjoys working in a busy and creative educational environment.

Key Responsibilities

Programme & Course Administration

• Support the administration of academic and professional development programmes
• Maintain and update student records in line with data protection requirements
• Assist with the coordination of course documentation, timetables, and materials
• Support the administration and maintenance of the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
• Coordinate tutor communications, including contracts and course details
• Assist with course setup, including preparation of materials and practical arrangements

Student & Academic Support

• Prepare attendance registers and monitor student attendance
• Provide administrative support to academic staff and programme teams
• Ensure workshops and teaching spaces are effectively organised

Finance & Systems Administration

• Process purchase orders and invoices
• Maintain accurate databases and records
• Support data entry for course and event creation

General Administration & Events

• Provide general administrative support, including handling enquiries and correspondence
• Support key events such as Open Days, Graduation, exhibitions, and student shows
• Arrange meetings, including preparing agendas and taking minutes
• Build strong working relationships with internal teams and external partners

About You

We are looking for someone who is organised, proactive, and able to manage a varied workload with accuracy and attention to detail.

Essential:

• Previous administrative experience
• Experience working in a data-sensitive, customer-focused environment
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to prioritise workload and meet deadlines
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office
• Experience supporting meetings (e.g. preparing agendas and taking minutes)

Desirable:

• Experience working in an education environment
• Degree or qualification in an arts-related discipline

Working Arrangements

• Based in Chichester, West Dean
• 21 hours, 3 days per week (0.6 FTE)
• Hybrid working available following initial training

Benefits

• 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays)
• Generous contributory pension scheme (4%–7.5% employer match)
• Company sick pay
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free access to West Dean Gardens
• Staff discounts on events, food, and short courses
• Subsidised accommodation at West Dean (Chichester)

Additional Information

Closing date: 28 April 2026
Interview date: 5 May 2026

Please note: This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application

• Please view the Senior Administrator WD 04 2026 document (opens in a pop up)