Project Administrator

Association of Colleges

Hours
37.5 hours per week

Length of contract
May 2027

About the Organisation

At the heart of every community should be a strong, successful college that supports students, delivers skills, transforms communities, promotes social justice, works with employers, and grows the economy. Association of Colleges is the national voice for further education, sixth form, tertiary and specialist colleges in England. We are a not-for-profit membership organisation established by colleges, for colleges. Our members make up almost 95% of the sector - transforming 2.2 million lives each year. Acting as the collective voice, we represent and promote the interests of colleges, and provide our members with high-quality professional support services, including training, events and recruitment.

The AoC group also includes AoC Services - supporting all colleges to be great colleges by delivering high-quality and cost-effective further education events, training and development, executive recruitment, interim management and strategic consultancy services; AoC Sport - leading the development of sport and physical activity in 16+ education; and AoC Charitable Trust -promoting the very best in FE with some of the biggest and most respected awards in education, including the AoC Beacon Awards, FE Hall of Fame and Student of the Year.

About the role

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Association of Colleges (AoC) as a Project Administrator (Maternity Cover) within our new Technical and Vocational Professional Development (TVPD) programme. The TVPD programme is an externally funded programme delivered by AoC on behalf of the Department for Education. It supports the further education sector with technical and vocational professional development, including activity linked to TVE Hubs, provider engagement, regional networks, employer collaboration and evidence-informed practice.

This is a key administrative role supporting the effective delivery of a high-profile national programme. Working as part of a collaborative programme team, you will provide proactive administrative and operational support across a range of project activities, helping to ensure that delivery is well organised, efficient and responsive to programme priorities.

As Project Administrator, you will coordinate programme meetings and events, prepare agendas and papers, record actions and minutes, maintain programme schedules and trackers, and support the reporting and assurance process. You will also arrange travel and accommodation, assist with document preparation and formatting, and help ensure resources are produced to a high standard and in line with programme branding.

You will support the maintenance of programme content across digital platforms and provide administrative and technical support for online meetings, networks and collaborative activities. Acting as a first point of contact for routine programme queries, you will help ensure timely communication and effective coordination across the programme team and wider stakeholder network.

We are looking for someone with experience working in a busy administrative environment who is highly organised, proactive and able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously. You will have excellent attention to detail, strong organisational skills and the ability to work independently while contributing positively to a team environment.

You will be a confident communicator with strong written and verbal communication skills, capable of working effectively with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels. Experience using CRM systems and databases, alongside strong Microsoft Office skills will be essential.

The successful candidate will demonstrate initiative, a commitment to high-quality service and an interest in further education. A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to the values and mission of AoC and the further education sector, is also important.

Responsibilities

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities:

• Provide efficient and proactive administrative support across the TVPD programme and project portfolio, supporting multiple workstreams and deadlines simultaneously.
• Organise, service and follow up programme and project meetings, including preparing agendas and papers, taking minutes, tracking actions and ensuring timely circulation and follow-up.
• Maintain programme calendars, schedules and trackers to support delivery planning, milestones, reporting and assurance activity.
• Coordinate and support travel arrangements for the team, including booking travel and accommodation, managing itineraries, and supporting travel coordination for wider team members where required.
• Assist with the preparation, branding, formatting and design of programme resources, documents and templates, ensuring consistency with AoC and programme branding.
• Proofread programme documentation, communications and resources to ensure accuracy, clarity and quality before dissemination.
• Support the maintenance and updating of programme content on digital platforms, including websites and internal systems, in line with communications and reporting requirements.
• Provide technical and administrative support for online meetings, networks and digital collaboration platforms, escalating issues where appropriate.
• Act as a point of contact for routine programme queries, responding independently where appropriate and escalating issues to relevant team members when required.
• Develop a working understanding of the TVPD programme landscape, including TVE Hubs, Skills Federation activity, regional networks and evidence-informed practice, to support effective programme administration (with delivery responsibility remaining with programme leads, advisors and project managers).
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the programme, project management function and wider AoC teams to support smooth, timely and high-quality delivery.
• Work collaboratively within AoC’s internal network for administrators and coordinators to share best practice, with a proactive approach to continuous development and effectiveness.
• Any other duties reasonably required by the line manager, consistent with the nature, level, and responsibilities of the role.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Knowledge, Skills, Ability & Experience:

• Experience of working in a busy administration environment and proactively supporting others in a team.
• Strong verbal communication skills, confident and able to communicate effectively with people at all levels of seniority and appropriately with external stakeholders.
• Strong written communication skills; writes accurately and is able to adapt style to suit document/audience/communication method.
• Highly self-motivated: able to work effectively remotely and independently without close supervision, as well as part of a team.
• Demonstrates initiative and a proactive approach to supporting a team.
• Highly organised with excellent time management skills.
• Ability to prioritise and reprioritise tasks effectively and independently.
• Strong attention to detail and high level of accuracy, including proofreading.
• Experience of using CRM systems and database management.
• Computer confident, with good skills and knowledge of Microsoft Word, Outlook,
• Excel and PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams and Zoom.
• Demonstrates respect for equality and diversity and works to actively promote an inclusive work environment and good working relationships among colleagues.
• Demonstrates an interest in further education

Required Qualifications

• Proficiency in written English, typically evidenced by GCSE English (grade C/4 or above), or English Functional Skills Level 2, or equivalent A
• Strong numeracy skills typically evidenced by GCSE Maths (grade C/4 or above), or Maths Functional Skills Level 2, or equivalent

Compensation & Benefits

• 30 Days Annual Leave (plus 8 public bank holidays)
• Generous Pension Scheme (up to 15% employer contributions)
• Enhanced Family Leave (including enhanced Maternity,
• Paternity and Adoption Pay)
• Electric Vehicle Salary
• Sacrifice Scheme
• Private Healthcare Scheme (upon completion of probation)
• Religious Bank Holiday
• Swap Scheme
• Flexible Working Opportunities
• Discounted Gym Membership (up to 40% off Nuffield Health Membership)
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Generous Eyecare Scheme (including eye tests and glasses contribution)
• Homeworking Equipment Contribution (including £100 towards both a desk and a chair)
• Paid Volunteer Leave (up to 2 days per year)
• Employee Assistance Programme Work From Abroad (up to 3 weeks per year)
• Excellent Training Opportunities and Sponsorship of Professional Study

Working locations

• Hybrid model, working in the London office and remotely
• Some travel expected to attend meetings and events.

How to apply

• If you think you have the skills, experience, and attributes to be successful in this role, we would welcome your application. Please "Apply Now"
• Please review the full job description and person specification, which outlines the role in more detail. If you have any questions or would like to have an informal discussion about the role, please contact [email protected]. 
• To be considered for this role, your application must be submitted and received by midday on 6th October 2026.
• If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format or would like us to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to apply or attend any interview, please email us at [email protected] to let us know or contact the HR team via telephone: 020 7034 9900.

Interviews

• Interviews will take place online via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday 13th October 2026.

Policies

AoC is committed to providing equal opportunities and embracing diversity. We encourage applications from everyone and will not discriminate against any applicants based on age, disability, sex, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

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