Front Desk Receptionist - Term Time Only

Front Desk Receptionist - Term Time Only

Nord Anglia International School New York is seeking a warm, professional and highly organized Front Desk Receptionist to be the welcoming face of our school. As the first point of contact for students, families, staff, visitors and external partners, the successful candidate will create a positive first impression while helping the school operate safely, efficiently and smoothly each day. This is a term time only (with some required INSET days) on-site position. The role combines exceptional customer service with front office administration, visitor management, communication and practical support for the wider school team. The ideal candidate will be calm, approachable and discreet, able to manage multiple priorities in a busy school environment while maintaining a consistently high standard of professionalism.

Experience in a school, hospitality, customer service or front office setting would be advantageous.

Key Duties

• Greet students, families, staff and visitors in a courteous, warm and professional manner.
• Answer, screen and route incoming telephone calls and respond to general enquiries promptly and accurately.
• Provide clear information and direct more complex enquiries to the appropriate member of staff.
• Maintain a tidy, organized and welcoming reception area that reflects the high standards of the school.
• Build positive relationships with families and visitors and contribute to a strong sense of community.
• Work closely with the school security team and staff to manage visitor access, sign-in and sign-out procedures and visitor badges.
• Maintain accurate visitor and contractor records and follow school procedures for deliveries, appointments and access to the building.
• Follow safeguarding, child protection, health and safety and emergency procedures at all times, escalating concerns immediately to the appropriate colleague.
• Support arrival, dismissal and other high-traffic periods as required, helping ensure students enter and leave the building safely.
• Maintain discretion and confidentiality when handling sensitive information involving students, families or staff.
• Coordinate incoming and outgoing mail, packages, courier deliveries and general correspondence.
• Provide clerical support including data entry, filing, copying, printing, scanning and preparation of routine documents.
• Support attendance and student sign-in/sign-out processes as directed, ensuring records are accurate and up to date.
• Assist with room bookings, school events, parent meetings and other front-office logistics.
• Maintain supplies and materials required for the reception area and report facilities or equipment issues promptly.
• Provide administrative support to the Principal, leadership team and school office as required.
• Monitor shared reception or general school email accounts as assigned and route messages appropriately.
• Communicate routine school information clearly and professionally by telephone, email and in person.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure consistent front desk coverage throughout the school day.
• Assist with special events, open houses, parent events and other school activities where front-of-house support is required.
• Undertake other reasonable duties and special projects that support the effective operation of the school.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; college coursework or additional administrative training is advantageous.
• At least two years of experience in reception, front office, customer service or a comparable administrative role preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills with a warm, confident and professional manner.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities accurately in a busy environment.
• Sound judgment, discretion and the ability to handle confidential information appropriately.
• Strong written communication skills and attention to detail.
• Confidence using standard office equipment and digital systems, including Microsoft Office / Microsoft 365.
• Ability to learn school systems, visitor management platforms and student information systems.
• Reliable, punctual and able to work collaboratively as part of a small, close-knit team.
• Previous experience in a school, education, hospitality or other service-focused environment.
• Experience supporting visitor access, attendance, events or front-office operations.
• First Aid / CPR training or willingness to complete relevant training if required.
• A genuine interest in working in an international school community and supporting children and families.

Other Specifications

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment and must maintain ongoing work authorization throughout employment.
• Successful completion of all required background screening, reference checks, and safeguarding requirements.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and a willingness to undertake appropriate child protection training.
• This position requires regular physical presence on the school campus and the ability to perform the essential functions of the role with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Occasional additional hours may be required to support school events, meetings or operational coverage. Including INSET days.
• The employee must be able to communicate effectively in person, by telephone and through electronic platforms; operate standard office equipment; and move around the school building as required to support front-office operations.

Work Environment

• This position is primarily based on-site at the school and requires regular presence on campus during normal business hours and school events.
• The employee will regularly interact with students, staff, parents, visitors, and external vendors in an active educational environment.
• There might be travel required for regional meetings, training, recruitment activities, and professional development.

Physical Requirements

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: Sit, stand, and walk for extended periods throughout the workday.
• Move throughout the school campus, including classrooms, offices, common areas, and outdoor facilities.
• Ascend and descend stairs multiple times per day, including access to multi-level buildings where applicable.
• Communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through electronic communication platforms.
• Operate standard office equipment, including computers, printers, copiers, and mobile devices.
• Reach, bend, stoop, kneel, and occasionally crouch as required to access files, equipment, and workspaces.
• Attend meetings, events, and activities across various campus locations.

Personal Attributes

• Promote and adhere to NAE vision and values, As our teammate, you will exemplify the "EmpoweUs" Competences:
• We communicate with Impact You communicate openly, with transparency and kindness. You influence and encourage people to share their ideas. You make every effort to always understand your audiences to build trust and make a positive impact on students' lives.
• You collaborate with empathy- You are a team player who shares your knowledge to help colleagues and students learn and grow. You understand the culture, background and needs of others so everybody feels welcomed, included and accepted.
• You are self-aware conscious of your impact on people and situations and adapt your behavior so that you work collaboratively with others.
• We make considered decisions- Your decisions are made with the best interests of students, school communities, and the wider organization in mind. You act with integrity using technology when you can, to generate data and insights that support your decisions.
• We Embrace change - You are effective at working in changing environments and embracing change, which helps us to improve our schools. You can deal with ambiguity because you are adaptable and motivated to fulfil your responsibilities.