Business Administration Apprentice – De Montford Fine Art Ltd

Summary 

We are looking for an enthusiastic, organised, and proactive individual to join our Retail Support / Operations Team. This is an exciting opportunity for someone at the start of their career who is eager to learn, build new skills, and gain hands-on experience within a fast-paced and creative business.

 

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You'll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

 

What you'll do at work

As a company built around art, creativity sits at the heart of everything we do. This role offers a blend of structured administration alongside exposure to creative projects, events, and campaigns that support our galleries and retail teams.

As the business continues to grow, you will play a key role in supporting day-to-day operations, helping keep things running smoothly while also getting involved in wider activities that bring our brand to life. You'll be given real responsibility, along with support, training, and mentorship needed to develop your skills and confidence.

We are particularly keen to find someone with energy, curiosity, and a positive attitude, someone who wants to get stuck in, contribute ides, and grow into the role over time.

• The role will involve supporting and gradually taking responsibility for the retail purchase order process, including reviewing requests, issuing purchase order numbers, and assisting with related queries, with full training and guidance provided. You will also check invoices against quotes, helping to ensure accuracy and flagging any discrepancies


• You will also support the organisation of events and in-gallery activity by helping coordinate bookings, liaising with suppliers, ensuring key details are recorded and communicated. This could include supporting with elements such as entertainment, collaborations, and networking events, giving you exposure to the creative and customer-facing side of the business.


• A key part of the role will involve helping the team stay organised by supporting planning activities, maintaining timelines, and tracking progress across multiple workstreams. You will play an important role in maintaining accurate data across spreadsheets and systems, managing central trackers, and ensuring information is up to date and reliable.


• You will also support the upkeep of internal systems and content platforms, uploading and organising materials, maintaining artist and campaign content, and ensuring that information is easy for teams to access and use.


• Managing multiple email inboxes will also form part of the role, ensuring timely responses to queries or appropriate escalation where necessary, while supporting the Retail Gallery team with day-to-day enquiries.


• More broadly, you will provide administrative support across the Retail Support team and wider business where needed, particularly during busy periods. You will also be encouraged to contribute ideas and identify ways to improve processes and make day-to-day tasks more efficient.

 

Where you'll work

De Montfort House
Europa Way
Lichfield
Staffordshire
WS14 9NW

 

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

 

Training provider

P.T.P Training

 

Training course

Business administrator (Level 3)

 

What you'll learn

Course contents 

• Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.


• Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.


• Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.


• Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.


• Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.


• Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.


• Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.


• Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects.


• Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.

 

Training schedule

• Business Administration Level 3 Standard


• Relevant workplace training


• Functional Skills if required


• Your programme will be delivered online, with the following structure:


• 9 workshops which will be delivered on-line on a monthly basis


• During these sessions, new topics will be taught by your tutor


• Between sessions, you’ll complete self-study tasks spread throughout the week


• You will have regular meetings with your tutor on 1-2-1 basis every 6-8 weeks

 

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade at grade 4/C and above)


• Maths (grade at grade 4/C and above)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

 

Skills

• Communication skills


• IT skills


• Attention to detail


• Organisation skills


• Administrative skills


• Team working


• Creative

 

Other requirements

• We are looking for someone who is highly organised, detail-oriented, and eager to learn.


• You should feel confident managing multiple tasks, communicating with different teams, and taking pride in your work.


• Basic IT skills are important, including familiarity with tools such as Excel and Microsoft Word.


• While previous experience in an administrative role is helpful, it is not essential, we are much more interested in your attitude, energy, and willingness to develop.


• The ideal candidate will bring a positive, can-do attitude and a genuine enthusiasm for learning.


• You will be proactive, reliable, and willing to take initiative, with the confidence to ask questions and get involved.


• You will enjoy working as part of a team, be open to new experiences, and be excited by the opportunity to work in a creative, fast-moving environment.


• A strong interest in building a career and developing new skills is key.

This is more than just an administrative role, it’s an opportunity to learn, grow, and be part of a creative business where no two days are the same. We are looking for someone with energy, ambition, and a strong work ethic who is excited to start their career and develop into a valuable member of the team.

 

About this employer

De Montfort Fine Art work very closely with a group of prestigious independent galleries all over the country and this has been an immensely successful across the UK. The key to this successful partnership is the personal touch. De Montfort is a people company, and we feel strongly about the little details that make a big difference. This has led to the introduction of an ever-increasing range of services to strengthen our gallery partnerships, and in turn they rely on us not only for best-selling artwork, but also for a suite of support through marketing material, merchandising guidance, recruitment, sales training and even IT support.

https://www.demontfortfineart.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Pension Enrolment (If applicable)

Company end of year events

Employee discount