Business Support Assistant

About Us

Scottish Canals are the custodians of the nation’s canal network and surrounding estates. Our vision is to invest in the canal network to generate lasting benefit for people and communities; celebrating their industrial heritage, ensuring they offer quality green and blue spaces for people and communities and contribute to Scotland’s resilience in tackling climate change.

Our success is rooted in valuing the contributions of our entire team - we care, we create, and we collaborate to continue to deliver a whole range of activities and services, from boating, and mooring, paddling, walking and wheeling, to living and playing and improving what the canals have to offer to our visitors and communities. We also work collaboratively with our partners and stakeholders to contribute to a wealthier, fairer, greener and more resilient Scotland.

As an employer we offer a truly unique opportunity to be part of our team, help us realise our vision and contribute to safeguarding our heritage and ensuring our canals flourish now and in the future.

About the Role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Business Support Assistant to join our Customer Operations team, based at Seaport Marina, Inverness, supporting the Caledonian Canal.

This is a frontline administrative and customer service role, providing essential business support to operational and management teams. You will play a key role in ensuring customer enquiries are handled professionally, accurately, and efficiently, while supporting the smooth running of day‑to‑day canal operations.

About the Reward

The role is offered on a fixed‑term basis for 2 years, with a progressive starting salary of £28,106 - £30,562 (Band B). Working 35 hours per week, Monday - Friday.

Scottish Canals offer a generous annual leave entitlement of 32 days, plus 6 public holidays, along with enhanced sick pay, discounted shopping vouchers, health cash plan and a contributory pension scheme with up to 10% employer contribution.

Primary responsibilities of the role:

• Providing reception and front‑of‑house services for internal and external customers
• Acting as a point of contact for enquiries, managing inboxes, correspondence, and requests
• Delivering administrative and clerical support across operations, moorings, estates, customer services and management
• Managing Treehouse bookings, registrations, and licences in line with agreed procedures
• Supporting meetings and events, including minute‑taking and coordination
• Administering procurement processes, purchase requisitions and invoice queries
• Supporting financial administration, including commercial billing, banking, and reconciliation
• Maintaining office systems, records, notice boards and information points
• Supporting internal and external communications and publicity activity
• Escalating issues appropriately to supervisors or managers
• Supporting continuity of customer and business support services when required
• Complying with health and safety requirements, including fire warden duties

About You

Qualifications and knowledge required:

Essential: NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration, Customer Service or a related subject

Desirable:

• Educated to Standard Grade / GCSE level (including English and Maths)
• NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration or equivalent
• Relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of formal qualifications

Skills and experience required:

• Strong administrative and organisational skills
• Experience delivering high‑quality customer service
• Confident IT user, including Microsoft Office and business systems
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Experience handling confidential or sensitive information
• Experience of financial or transactional administration (desirable)

Qualities & abilities required:

• Understanding of administrative and business support processes
• Knowledge of customer service principles and records management
• Awareness of procurement, financial and office procedures
• Commitment to equal opportunities, health & safety and continuous improvement
• Willingness to undertake training and adapt to changing business needs

Scottish Canals reserve the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications are received.