Job Description

The Opportunity

We are seeking an exceptional, professional, and highly organised School Receptionist to be the welcoming face of Queen Elizabeth's School, Dubai Sports City.

As the first point of contact for parents, students, visitors, and the wider community, the School Receptionist plays a vital role in creating an outstanding first impression and delivering exceptional customer service. Working collaboratively with staff across the school, this role will support the smooth day-to-day operation of the front-of-house function while ensuring administrative processes are delivered efficiently and professionally.

As a start-up school, this is an exciting opportunity to help establish reception procedures, visitor management systems, communication processes, and administrative practices that reflect the school's commitment to excellence from its very first day of operation.

The role contributes to the school's operational excellence by providing a welcoming, safe, and organised environment for all members of the school community. As a key member of the school's founding team, you will help shape the school's culture in alignment with the mission of Queen Elizabeth's School, Dubai Sports City, upholding the values and legacy of our founding institution, Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet.

If you are a personable, proactive, and customer-focused professional with outstanding organisational skills, we would be delighted to hear from you.

The Role

Job Title: School Receptionist
Reporting to: Director of Operations

Reception, Customer Service and School Readiness

• Act as the first point of contact for all visitors, parents, students, contractors, and external stakeholders, ensuring every interaction reflects the school's commitment to exceptional customer service.
• Support the establishment and implementation of reception procedures, visitor management processes, telephone systems, and administrative workflows to ensure operational readiness prior to school opening.
• Manage the school's main reception, greeting visitors professionally, issuing visitor passes, and ensuring safeguarding and security procedures are followed at all times.
• Answer and direct telephone calls, emails, and general enquiries promptly, ensuring accurate information is provided or enquiries are directed appropriately.
• Maintain a welcoming, organised, and professional reception environment that reflects the high standards of the school.
• Coordinate meeting room bookings, visitor appointments, courier deliveries, and incoming and outgoing mail.
• Support the management of reception supplies, stationery, uniforms, and other front-of-house resources as required.
• Assist with the coordination of school events, parent meetings, induction programmes, and other activities requiring reception support.

Administrative Support and Communication

• Provide administrative support to the Senior Leadership Team, Operations Team, Admissions Team, and other departments as required.
• Maintain accurate student, staff, and visitor records using the school's management systems, including platforms such as iSAMS and other school information systems.
• Support the implementation and effective use of school systems, ensuring data is entered accurately and maintained in accordance with school procedures.
• Prepare correspondence, reports, registers, and other administrative documentation as required.
• Liaise professionally with parents, staff, suppliers, and external agencies, maintaining confidentiality and professionalism at all times.
• Support new staff, students, and families by providing information and directing them to the appropriate departments during onboarding and admissions processes.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of visitor attendance, deliveries, telephone enquiries, and administrative activities.
• Ensure all visitor management records are maintained in accordance with safeguarding, health and safety, and data protection requirements.
• Monitor reception processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, customer service, and operational effectiveness.
• Support the preparation of reports, documentation, and records required for inspections, audits, and operational reviews.
• Maintain confidential filing systems, both electronic and paper-based, ensuring documentation is accurate, secure, and easily accessible.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of reception and administrative processes to support the growth of the school.

Health, Safety, Safeguarding and Wellbeing

• Ensure all visitors comply with safeguarding, security, and health and safety procedures upon entering the school.
• Promote a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful environment for all members of the school community.
• Respond calmly and professionally to emergencies, following school procedures and directing visitors or staff as required.
• Maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive student, staff, and parent information.
• Uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and child protection, ensuring all responsibilities are carried out in accordance with school policies, local requirements, and international best practice.
• Model professionalism, discretion, and exceptional customer service, serving as an ambassador for Queen Elizabeth's School.

The Person Qualifications and Experience

• Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Office Administration, Customer Service, or a related field (preferred).
• A minimum of 2–3 years' experience in a receptionist, front-of-house, or administrative role, preferably within a British curriculum or international school.
• Experience working with school management information systems such as iSAMS or equivalent is highly desirable.
• Experience supporting school operations, admissions, or front-of-house services within an educational setting.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 and confidence using a range of digital systems.
• Excellent understanding of customer service principles, confidentiality, and safeguarding within a school environment.

Personal Qualities

• Warm, welcoming, and professional, with a genuine passion for delivering exceptional customer service.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with students, parents, staff, and visitors.
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Calm, resilient, and able to remain professional in a busy, fast-paced environment.
• Proactive, adaptable, and committed to supporting the evolving needs of a start-up school.
• Commitment to safeguarding, confidentiality, professionalism, and maintaining the highest standards of service excellence.

Queen Elizabeth’s School, Dubai Sports City is an equal opportunities employer and is deeply committed to safeguarding our students, ensuring their safety and wellbeing. We expect all staff and members of our community to share this commitment and to promptly report any concerns about a student’s or community member’s safety or wellbeing. In accordance with our Safer Recruitment Policy, all applicants must be willing to undergo rigorous child protection screening, including checks with past employers and providing police clearance certificates from all countries that the applicant has resided in. The full Safer Recruitment Policy can be viewed on our website.