Job Description

About us

People are at the heart of what we are and do.

The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university.

We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success. We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential.

With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in a wide-range of functions in Edgbaston and in our campus in Dubai, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be able to develop your career at the University.

We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work. Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements.

We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries.

The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site. On campus we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens. https://intranet.birmingham.ac.uk/hr/pay-and-reward/benefits/index.aspx

Job summary

Working with limited supervision, the Receptionist will support the University of Birmingham Sport & Fitness member engagement and Front of House business objectives, reporting directly to the Gym Supervisors and the Fitness and Wellbeing Manager. The Receptionist will lead on key areas of the business plan for customer service. The post holder will work to strengthen the relationships with the relevant teams within the University of Birmingham and to increase members and customer relations within the facility, based primarily at the Sport & Fitness Vale Gym.

Main duties

With support and guidance from the Fitness and Wellbeing Manager and Fitness Supervisors, will be responsible for customer relations, daily operational duties, to effectively promote UBSport services, use of the facilities and maintaining a positive and clean environment for users.

Customer Service

100% product knowledge Deal with customer enquiries on a daily basis, either face to face or respond to email, telephone and written enquiries Deal with difficult customers and situations with the assistance of the Gym Supervisors and the Duty Manager if required Respond to customer feedback and record all communication Deliver excellent customer service, at all times Fulfill all reasonable requests from customers to ensure their comfort, satisfaction and safety Welcoming and facilitating customers use of the gym Responsible for maintain a clean and well maintained environment Assist with membership enquiries Selling of products and services of UoB Sport & Fitness. Liaise with members regarding ongoing promotions To take photographs of new members with a web camera and issue membership cards from a card printer that is linked to the member database Management of customer access to facility Health and Safety Responsibilities and EAP procedure awareness

Operational duties

Administrative support to all departments where required Cleaning and management of the facility Ensuring a safe and welcoming environment within the gym System management (Gladstone) Advise on booking and membership procedures Coordinate with all departments within the sports centre regarding current promotions Radio system management Record incidents and accidents within the facility where required Report any maintenance issues immediately to Gym Supervisor or the Duty Manager, including all furniture, fittings and equipment To keep ensure Reception and the surrounding area neat and tidy at all times To replenish a stock as and when needed

Other duties

Support UBSport to promote services and facilities delivering University Open Days and other events Participating in Personal Development Reviews, One - to - One's and Team briefings on a regular basis in order to aid performance monitoring Assisting with training other departments on reception procedures Reception inventory and stock management Wear uniform when always provided and be of a smart appearance
Any other duties that could be within the banding of this post where assistance is required.

Support UBSport to promote services and facilities delivering University Open Days and other events Participating in Personal Development Reviews, One - to - One's and Team briefings on a regular basis in order to aid performance monitoring Assisting with training other departments on reception procedures Reception inventory and stock management Wear uniform when always provided and be of a smart appearance
Any other duties that could be within the banding of this post where assistance is required.

Required Knowledge, Desirable Skills, Qualifications, Experience

Essential

Experience of front of house operations Excellent customer service skills and resolving conflict Experience of working within the leisure industry Excellent writing and communication skills The ability to work unsupervised The ability to think creatively in approaching solutions and identifying opportunities The ability to use initiative to drive a project forward The ability to manage own time and work on multiple projects simultaneously priortising workload Friendly and approachable Commitment to flexible hours, including working outside normal office days and hours Flexibility with holiday requests during busy periods Computer literate, including the use of Microsoft Word and Excel Publisher Ability to work as part of team

Desirable

Gym/Fitness based qualification Knowledge of the Sport and Fitness industry Experience of working in a fast passed environment Responds appropriately & co-operatively to change, challenges & conflicting demands Strong numerical skills First Aid at Work Qualification
Informal enquiries to Kieran Dayaram, email: k.j.dayaram@bham.ac.uk

Job Type: Fixed term contract

Pay: 13.06 per hour

Benefits:

Employee discount On-site gym On-site parking
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 28/08/2025
Expected start date: 08/09/2025