Senior Business Support Officer

National Council for Voluntary Organisations

Hours
35 hours per week

About the Organisation

For over 100 years, NCVO has stood shoulder to shoulder with communities, championing and celebrating voluntary action. Our membership is made up of over 17,000 voluntary organisations across England, from small, grassroots community groups and social enterprises, to large, far-reaching charities. We believe that communities are strengthened by voluntary action. We therefore want charities to thrive and be empowered to deliver for people and communities.

​We focus on empowering charities and volunteers by ensuring they have the knowledge, tools, and resources they need. We advocate for and with our members, giving voice to those not often heard, and harnessing the collective power of partners to ensure the voluntary sector is valued. We bring charities together so they can learn, connect, and create a greater impact.

​As the voluntary sector and volunteering adapt to new challenges and a changing context, so must NCVO. We are therefore prioritising work to evolve as an organisation to ensure we live our values of ambition, inclusion, openness, and collaboration in everything we do internally and externally.

​We have around 80 staff and an income of more than £7m per year. With our members at the heart of everything we do, our mission is to unite to champion the remarkable role of charities and volunteers because stronger charities make for stronger communities.

About the role

Our business is growing, and we’re looking for a passionate, organised, and innovative team player who can oversee, maintain, and scale our business systems and processes. Working closely with our staff consultants, associate team, and clients, this role is key to ensuring we provide a consistent and professional service, enabling our consultants to meet their targets on income and ensuring we maintain accurate records and reports on our work.

As Senior Business Support Officer, you will ensure that every aspect of our income-generating business is effective, including managing our financial processing, delivering effective administration, using our systems for project and client management, and optimising how we operate. Your experience might come from having held project management, finance, or complex administrative support roles, either in a professional and/or volunteer capacity.

Responsibilities

Lead Implementing Systems Support, NCVO’s Training and Consultancy Business: 

• Identify and implement where there may be opportunities to improve systems, policies, and processes to maximise efficiency and improve the quality of our services
• Work with colleagues to ensure contracts are produced, well managed, invoices are raised and paid accurately and on time
• Manage our business, income, and resources through Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Business Central, and the Power BI reporting tool
• Support and coach team members to better use our CRM, ensuring records are up-to-date and accurate, and that our processes are compliant at all times
• Liaise with the CRM and data manager to ensure systems are meeting our needs
• Work closely with the Training Manager and coordinators to ensure smooth referral and coordination of our client experience across the team
• Support the team to strengthen the quality of our work 

Respond to Training and Consultancy Enquiries:

• Be the first point of contact, passing on the more in-depth enquiries to the relevant consultants
• Respond to consultancy enquiries (support and guidance provided)
• Support consultants in the development of proposals
• Lead, with support from the line manager and Senior Training and Consultancy Manager, on the relevant business reporting, communicating and evaluating our training and consultancy business:
• Ensure our processes are efficient and effective - identify ways to develop and improve the way we operate, and develop the necessary infrastructure as the team grows
• Assist the lead consultants in researching and developing new audiences for our work, as well as helping to sustain relationships with existing clients
• Produce monthly reports on team performance and finances
• Collate data, identify learning points and communicate these to the team 
• Act as key liaison with the marketing, communications and membership and digital, data and technology teams, working with them to update our website as well as develop and deliver our marketing plans

Maintain and Strengthen NCVO’s Relationships with our Associates:

• Develop and implement consistent approaches across consulting disciplines which ensure a close and professional relationship 
• Ensure associate contracts are well managed and compliant with NCVO policies  
• Support lead consultants and the training manager to recruit and onboard associates to ensure a clear understanding of how NCVO works and the expectations of them
• Support lead consultants in reviewing associate performance and coordinating the renewal of contracts
• Assist associates in the successful completion of projects, providing access to NCVO systems where required, providing training on the ways of NCVO working, ensuring a good flow of information and advising on house style and approach
• Ensure that associates are informed and kept up to date on NCVO’s work through regular communications and meetings

Provide Support to Consultants on Projects:

• Provide costed consultancy services on creating data visuals, formatting, proofreading, interviews, and basic quantitative data analysis
• Support consultants with logistical aspects of work for clients, e.g. arranging interviews, setting up surveys 
• Support with elements of training delivery when required, such as the preparation of materials and/or the technical production of online training sessions

Skills, Competencies & Experience

Experience:

• Using and managing Microsoft Dynamics ( and similar CRM)
• Adapting and managing contracts
• Project management, monitoring and evaluation
• Developing internal business processes
• Identifying opportunities and business development 
• Managing relationships with a variety of stakeholders 
• Active commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

Skills:

• High level of computer literacy, including the Microsoft Office suite 
• Diligence and attention to detail, especially with finances and written documentation
• Good financial management skills are required to manage projects and budgets effectively.
• Competence in project management software such as Dynamics 365 and Power BI. 
• Excellent teamwork skills
• Good interpersonal and relationship management skills
• Coaching and influencing at all levels
• Work on own initiative, proactively identify and solve problems
• Work under pressure to tight deadlines
• Highly organised

Knowledge:

• Good understanding of volunteering and the voluntary sector 
• Good working knowledge of financial processes and reporting
• Understanding of business systems and processes

Compensation & Benefits

• 25 days’ Annual Leave and office closure between 25 December and 1 January inclusive. 
• ​2.5 extra ‘wellbeing’ days off during the year
• ​Enhanced pay for sick/maternity/adoption leave
• Subsidised gym membership
• Season ticket loan
• Monthly homework allowance for permanent homeworkers
• Monthly office worker allowance 
• Generous employer pension contribution of 8.5% of salary,
• Pension scheme (linked to employee contribution)
• Training and development opportunities.
• Hospital Saturday Fund health cash plan
• ​24-hour free and confidential employee assistance programme

Working locations

• Hybrid model, working in the London office and remotely

How to apply

• Application form1
• Application form2
• Please complete both parts of the application, quoting the reference SDM, and email to [email protected]
• If you have any queries regarding our vacancies or experience any issues downloading or submitting your application form, please email [email protected].
• If you require more information or an informal discussion about the role, please get in touch with our Lead consultant, Sally Stephens: [email protected]

Interviews

• Shortlisting will start on 15th July 2025. 
• The interview will be held on 22nd July 2025

Policies

NCVO is fully committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in our sector. We want this to be reflected in the diversity of our employees, and we welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and identities.

We particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups in the voluntary sector and those with diverse lived experiences. As part of our commitment to employing disabled people, all disabled candidates who meet the minimum requirement for all competencies on the person specification will be guaranteed an interview.

Please let us know if you have access needs or require reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process.

Return to listing