Executive Support Apprentice
UK Research and Innovation · Swindon · posted 17 September 2026
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This is a key role within a small, friendly, and high performing team at the heart of the directorate, providing direct support to senior leaders and contributing to the smooth running of the office while supporting the delivery of effective communications across UKRI. The apprenticeship offers a structured opportunity for someone organised and curious to develop strong professional skills in administration, communication, and coordination, with full support provided throughout to build experience, confidence, and an understanding of how a major public organisation operates.
As a Private Office Administration Apprentice, you will:
- Support Deputy Directors of Communication by helping to manage their diaries and scheduling meetings, visits, and events
- Work with Private Secretaries to help prepare senior leaders for their commitments and understand how to prioritise effectively
- Arrange domestic and international travel, working with internal and external partners to identify the most efficient options
- Help maintain the team’s SharePoint site, ensuring documents, processes, and resources are well organised and easy to find
- Assist with risk management, corporate compliance, and directorate wide activities as needed
- Contribute to planning and delivery of team events, including directorate Away Days
- Support colleagues across the Private Office to ensure the team operates smoothly, professionally, and collaboratively
Your training
The apprenticeship is delivered in partnership with New College Swindon over 18-21 months. The first 15-18 months form the ‘practical period’, combining on- and off-the-job training with New College Swindon and UKRI to develop and apply the required Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours of the Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship. This includes attendance at a blend of in-person and virtual facilitated workshops throughout the practical period.
In the final 3-months of the apprenticeship, learners will undertake and lead a work-based improvement project, deliver a presentation on the project, complete a Knowledge Test, and take part in a professional discussion underpinned by a work-based portfolio as part of the End Point Assessment.
Where it leads
You’ll gain hands on experience in prioritisation, communication, professional judgement, and coordination, all essential skills for progressing within the Private Office.
About UK Research and Innovation
UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.
Things to consider
To be eligible to be considered for the apprenticeship programme you must:
- Have evidence of 2 GCSE including maths and English GCSE at grade 4/C or above (or equivalent i.e. Level 2 Functional Skills)
- Have a valid and eligible residency status, the right to work in the UK, and be able to complete the full apprenticeship programme, including the End-Point Assessment (EPA)
- Applications from candidates with the listed time-limited visas will be considered on a case-by-case basis in conjunction with our apprenticeship training provider
- Eligibility will be assessed to ensure that visa requirements align with the apprenticeship programme's duration and funding rules
- Confirm that this apprenticeship offers substantive new skills and knowledge and that you have not already achieved an equivalent or higher-level qualification in a similar or related subject
As part of our shortlisting process, we may be required to determine your eligibility to undertake the programme based on the information provided within your application. By applying for this apprenticeship, you are giving permission for your details to be shared with the relevant training provider.
As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status, we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK. You can check your eligibility here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y
Skills they're looking for
Entry requirements
- GCSE English (grade 4/C) — essential
- GCSE Maths (grade 4/C) — essential
Where you'll work
- Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN2 1PL
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