Administrative Coordinator

Description:

The Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU), part of the Department of Archaeology at the University of Cambridge, is seeking a highly organized and experienced Administrative Coordinator to support and coordinate the administrative operations of its commercial and research activities.

Established in 1990, the CAU bridges the gap between academic and development-led archaeology in Britain. With over three decades of expertise, it has grown into one of the UK’s leading archaeological organizations, with renowned expertise in wetland and urban archaeology, particularly within the Fenland and Cambridge region. The CAU carries out between 50–70 commercial excavations and research projects annually and employs a team of 60–70 professionals.

The successful candidate will be based at the CAU offices at Storey’s Way, Cambridge, reporting directly to the Administrator, and working as part of a small, dedicated team. This is a diverse and fast-paced role that combines administrative, HR, finance, and procurement responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain office procedures to ensure efficient administrative operations.

• Manage HR-related processes, including holiday and sickness records, probation tracking, and staff review & development processes.

• Support recruitment processes, including coordinating payroll and additional payments.

• Oversee finance and procurement processes, ensuring compliance with university standards.

• Assist in estates management and facilities-related tasks.

• Collect, analyze, and report data on departmental operations.

• Provide day-to-day administrative support to the Administrator and the wider CAU team.

Candidate Requirements:

• Demonstrable administrative experience in the Education or Research sector.

• Preferable experience with University of Cambridge systems: CHRIS, CCWS, CUFS, Invida.

• Strong HR and financial administration skills, including payroll and procurement processes.

• Excellent IT proficiency and ability to quickly learn new systems.

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with fluency in written and spoken English.

• Ability to multitask, prioritize workloads, and work both independently and collaboratively in a team.

Key Dates & Application Process:

• Application Closing Date: Friday, 17 October 2025.

• Interview Date: Tuesday, 28 October 2025, at 34 & B Storey’s Way, Cambridge, CB3 0DT.

• Expected Start Date: No later than 1 December 2025.

• Please quote reference JD47538 in all correspondence and applications.