Receptionist

Location: Clarendon Building, Broad Street, Oxford OX1 3BG

About the Role

As part of the Bodleian Libraries, you will be the first point of contact for visitors to the Clarendon Building, representing the Libraries and the University with professionalism and warmth. Working within the Directorate team, you will provide an efficient and welcoming reception service for all visitors, including members of the public, staff, and VIP guests.

You will receive, welcome, and direct visitors to the appropriate locations, ensuring that security procedures are followed, and visitor passes are correctly issued and logged. You will manage incoming telephone and email enquiries, redirecting or responding as appropriate, and ensure that the reception area is maintained to a high standard. In addition, you will support administrative activities such as managing post and deliveries, maintaining contact directories, managing meeting room bookings, and updating noticeboards and displays within the building.

This is a permanent, full-time post, working 36.5 hours per week.

About You

You will have experience in a face-to-face customer service environment, ideally in a reception or similar customer service role. You will be friendly, professional, and able to relate to a wide range of people, providing clear information and assistance with tact and diplomacy.

You will have excellent verbal and written communication skills, good attention to detail, and the ability to take and relay messages accurately and promptly. In addition, you will have strong organisational and time management skills, and an awareness of confidentiality and security issues. Ideally, you will be confident in using standard IT software such as Outlook, Word, and Excel. Previous experience within the University environment would be an advantage.

What We Offer

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days of annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans

More information is available at https://hr.admin.ox.ac.uk/staff-benefits

Diversity

Our staff and students come from all over the world, and we proudly promote a friendly and inclusive culture. Diversity is positively encouraged, through diverse groups and champions, as well as a number of family-friendly policies, such as the right to apply for flexible working and support for staff returning from periods of extended absence, for example, shared parental leave.

We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment processes are inclusive and accessible. If you require the job description or any other materials in an alternative format, or if you would like to request any adjustments to support you through the application or interview process, please contact the recruitment team at recruitment@glam.ox.ac.uk.

How to Apply

You will be required to upload your CV and a supporting evidence form (via the 'Apply' button above) using the attached template or supporting statement as part of your online application. Your supporting evidence form or supporting statement should list each of the essential and desirable selection criteria, as listed in the job description, and explain how you meet each one. Both your CV and supporting evidence form or supporting statement must be submitted to be considered.

Only applications received online by 12.00 midday (GMT) on Friday 5^th December 2025 can be considered. Interviews are expected to take place on Wednesday 17^th December 2025.

Advert information