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Reception Helpdesk Assistant

Job details
Posting date: 21 January 2026
Salary: £23,751 to £24,570 per year
Hours: Part time
Closing date: 20 February 2026
Location: Durham, County Durham, DH1 5LE
Company: Durham University
Job type: Permanent
Job reference: 26000024_1768996923

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Summary

The Role and Department

The Operations Directorate: Elevating the Student and Staff Experience

The Operations Directorate a world-class experience for our diverse student and staff communities, which is essential to our students' learning journey. Our passionate team delivers services and facilities across 15 colleges, including catering, housekeeping, reception, security, and maintenance.

All staff within the Operations Directorate share the responsibility for supporting environmental and social sustainability initiatives including water and energy conservation and re-use and recycling as outlined in operating procedures. These resources create a safe environment where our students can live, work, dine, socialise, and thrive together.

Within the Operations Directorate, we have three key areas:

1. University Catering: Our robust catering team of 500 ensures fresh, exciting, and diverse dining experiences throughout our colleges, catering to the unique needs of our University Community, which includes students, staff, and visitors, and offer expert advice on bar management.

2. College Operations: With over 200 dedicated professionals, we provide residential services within the colleges as well as supporting student and non-student-led events.

3. Retail Services: Our branded retail catering and merchandise outlets offer an enticing array of menus and high-quality products thoughtfully presented to enhance the shopping experience for our students and staff whilst building positive relationships via efficient service and attentive staff.

In addition to a highly competitive salary and rewards package, our strategic focus includes ongoing development opportunities for our people. Join us today and shape your career at Durham University!

Reception Helpdesk Assistant Role

Reception Helpdesk Assistants act as the first point of contact for students, staff, and visitors in colleges. They provide a highly responsive service to customers as well as a professional and friendly welcome to staff, students and visitors of our colleges. Reception is at the heart of a college's day to day activities and Reception Helpdesk Assistants answer telephone queries, receive and issue post, make and amend room bookings, as well as providing assistant, directions and information.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.

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