Receptionist / Administrator

Receptionist/ Administrator 37 hours per week Permanent Southampton SSJ&I Service, London Road Salary Scale: 20 – 21 (£25,947 - £26,305 per annum) About Us This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic Charity and Housing Association. The Society of St James (SSJ) has been working in Hampshire for over 50 years, delivering high impact, person-centred, accommodation services to adults and young people experiencing homelessness, problematic substance use and mental health problems. We believe that every person is of worth and we are prepared to take risks to house and support the most at risk and socially excluded members of society. The Impact You'll Make As one of the primary faces of the SSJ&I Alcohol and Drug Service, you will set the tone for every individual walking through our doors or reaching out over the phone. Operating with a calm, controlled, and welcoming manner, you will seamlessly guide clients to their appointments, pass queries to duty teams or care coordinators, and serve as a reassuring presence during critical moments in their recovery journey. Working with a person-centred approach, you will directly support Southampton residents who are ready to make meaningful changes to their lives. By connecting service users to vital interventions—from therapeutic groups to prescribing and needle exchange services—and maintaining strong risk management standards, you will help create a safe environment where individuals feel heard, supported, and empowered to grow. Through building genuine, trusting relationships with our client base, you will actively contribute to SSJ's core mission. Your everyday interactions will help cultivate a community of continuous growth and development, delivering real, positive change for both our service users and the wider organisation. Who We're Looking For · Engaging & Personable: An innovative, tenacious individual who can connect meaningfully with service users and multitask effectively in a busy reception environment. · Empathetic & Resilient: Someone equipped with a self-reflective, motivated mindset who thrives both independently and as part of a collaborative team. · Flexible Team Member: A dedicated professional ready to work service-based across a 37-hour week, Monday – Friday working week. Essential Qualities and Skills · Sector Knowledge & Experience: Experience working with this client group and a strong understanding of the impact of substance misuse on individuals, families, and communities. (Transferable skills from working with other disadvantaged groups will also be considered.) · Awareness of Resources: Up-to-date awareness of the issues this client group presents with, as well as knowledge of the relevant interventions, resources, and agencies available locally. · Core Competencies: Strong IT system skills, excellent multitasking capabilities, and proven expertise in risk management and building trusting relationships. What we can offer you We value and recognise our staff, offering some generous benefits, as well as the satisfaction of helping people at risk: A competitive annual leave entitlement of 25 days rising to 30 days, plus public holidays Flexible working options Buying additional annual leave Comprehensive induction and training Counselling, financial, personal support and health and wellbeing services via our Employee Assistance Programme Company cycle to work scheme Discounted laptops and computers with Jamie’s Computers Electric Car Scheme Blue Light Card SSJ are an equal opportunity employer and we encourage applicants from all backgrounds and walks of life. At SSJ, we recognise the benefits of a supported workplace. SSJ is affiliated with Unite the Union. To learn more about their membership benefits or to sign up, you can visit their official website. For an informal discussion about the role please contact us. Application closing date: 5pm on Thursday 24 th September 2026 Interview date: Wednesday 1 st October 2026 Due to the high number of expected applicants, we do reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier. Should you not hear from us within 14 days of the closing date, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.