Job Description

The Vacancy
The James Hutton Institute is a world-leading scientific research organisation tackling some of the most pressing global challenges, including climate change, sustainable agriculture, and food and water security. Our Aberdeen and Dundee campuses feature modern, flexible facilities designed to host conferences, workshops, seminars, and meetings.
A key part of our success is creating a positive experience for everyone who interacts with the Hutton, from initial enquiries by phone or email to visiting our campuses.
This role focuses on supporting the Hutton's venue services, ensuring all visitors and colleagues receive a professional, welcoming, and effective first point of contact, whether online or in person. The post also provides front-of-house support for colleagues and campus tenants, helping the Institute run smoothly and efficiently.
We are looking for candidates with relevant experience, either through a suitable qualification combined with practical experience or through substantial hands-on experience in a similar role.
This position is based at our Craigiebuckler campus in Aberdeen. The standard work pattern is 8am-4pm or 9am-5pm; however, some flexibility is required, as occasional evening or weekend work may be needed to support events.
More information on the details of the post and the post holder can be found below in the job description.
Main purpose of job
To provide a professional venue support service for external visitors and a professional reception service for colleagues and campus tenants.
Main duties of postholder
Welcome and Reception

• Serve as the first point of contact for all visitors, contractors, and colleagues, greeting them in a professional and friendly manner. Manage access cards, provide visitor information, and direct guests to the appropriate rooms or hosts.
• Answer, triage, and direct phone calls and enquiries, monitor mailboxes, and respond or forward messages to the appropriate person or team.
• Provide visitors with instructions and inductions regarding health, safety, and welfare procedures. Act as the first point of contact for first aid and emergencies, including activating alarms and providing defibrillator assistance.
• Receive, sort, and distribute mail and samples, including franking, completing customs forms for international shipments, and arranging collections.

Event support and management

• Oversee the full booking process for prospective clients, from initial enquiry to final confirmation. This includes managing room setups to established standards, coordinating catering requests, and processing invoices.
• Act as the primary point of contact for clients, maintaining clear communication and addressing any needs or concerns throughout the booking process.
• Ensure rooms are properly prepared for client viewings and events, following established procedures from initial enquiry through booking confirmation and invoicing.
• Serve as the main liaison during events, ensuring all aspects of the venue and services meet client expectations and organisational standards.
• Arrange transport for staff and visitors as required.

Clerical and administrative support

• Assist colleagues with a variety of clerical tasks, including photocopying, printing, laminating, data entry, document preparation, purchase orders, and stationery management.
• Manage merchandise sales from the reception shop, handling financial transactions and providing product knowledge.
• Promote fundraising initiatives by encouraging visitors to 'tap to donate' and explaining the rationale behind campaigns to encourage participation.

Additional duties

• Carry out any other reasonable tasks within the remit of venue services as required, in order to support the wider team and the Venue Services Manager.

Essential qualifications

• Minimum HND, NVQ/SVQ Level 3, or an equivalent professional qualification.

Essential skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to organise and prioritise workloads, managing multiple tasks and meeting tight deadlines.
• Proficient IT skills, with confidence using standard office software (e.g. Microsoft Office, email, databases).
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proactive, flexible, and creative approach to problem-solving, with the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
• Experience of working in a comparable professional environment (e.g. reception, hospitality, events, or facilities support).

Essential experience

• Demonstrable experience in a customer-facing role, with the ability to deliver a high-quality service.

Desirable experience

• Previous experience in venue, reception, or events management.
• Familiarity with booking systems, scheduling tools, or customer relationship management (CRM) software.
• Experience handling financial transactions, invoices, or cash/card payments.
• Knowledge of health and safety, emergency, or first aid procedures in a workplace setting.

Additional notes and requirements

• There is no option of hybrid working - this is a place-based post.
• This role does not attract a certificate of sponsorship.

What we offer

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - A confidential service available to support employees and their families with work or personal problems. Providing access to professional counsellors, psychologists, and work-life consultants available to help and support individuals in tackling all types of problems.
• Annual Leave - Generous entitlement up to 40.5 days a year, with carry over possible and guaranteed time-off for Christmas.
• Pension - Employer Contribution of 15% in a Personal Pension Plan and employee contribution flexibility.
• Self-managed hours and Flexible Working - option to manage and spread your working time in line with organisational needs to create a healthy work life balance

Our Commitment to Equality and Diversity
We will not consider the use of 3rd party recruitment agencies for the sourcing of candidates for this position.
The James Hutton Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
The James Hutton Institute is a: Stonewall Diversity Champion; Athena SWAN Silver Status Holder; Disability Confident Committed Employer and a Living Wage Employer.
The James Hutton Institute is Happy to Talk Flexible Working.
The Company
The James Hutton Institute combines strengths in crops, soils and land use and environmental research, and makes a major contribution to the understanding of key global issues, such as food, energy and environmental security, and developing and promoting effective technological and management solutions to these.
James Hutton (1726 - 1797) was a leading figure of the Scottish Enlightenment, an eighteenth century golden age of intellectual and scientific achievements centred on Edinburgh. He is internationally regarded as the founder of modern geology and one of the first scientists to describe the Earth as a living system. His thinking on natural selection influenced Charles Darwin in developing his theory of evolution.
Our Values

Skills Required