Lead Receptionist

Company: Cushman & Wakefield
Apply for the Lead Receptionist
Location: Basildon
Job Description:

Lead Receptionist

Role Purpose

Reporting to the Site Facilities Manager and working as part of the overall Facilities Team, the Front of House Lead will oversee the day-to-day operations of our reception area and front desk team. As the first point of contact for visitors, clients, and staff, you will ensure a seamless and welcoming experience, uphold service standards, and lead by example in delivering exceptional customer service.

Core Responsibilities

  • Oversee the availability and smooth delivery of front-of-house services, including office facilities, refreshments, and visitor support.
  • Ensure a safe, secure, and welcoming environment is maintained across all reception and public-facing areas.
  • Manage the booking, setup, and upkeep of meeting rooms and collaborative spaces, ensuring they meet business needs and are client‑ready at all times.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for all front-of-house-related inquiries, offering guidance, support, and a high standard of customer service.
  • Professionally meet and greet all guests, clients, and contractors, setting the tone for a positive and polished experience.
  • Build and maintain effective relationships with internal departments, senior leadership, and key stakeholders, acting as a trusted liaison.
  • Uphold confidentiality and professionalism in handling sensitive communications and documentation.
  • Supervise the sign‑in and data‑recording process for visitors and contractors, ensuring all compliance and security protocols are followed.
  • Respond promptly and professionally to phone and email queries, escalating where appropriate.
  • Coordinate with departments such as Events, Facilities, and Housekeeping to deliver seamless support to internal and external visitors.
  • Proactively anticipate and accommodate guest needs to ensure a consistently exceptional experience.
  • Take ownership of general administrative and office support duties as directed by management.
  • Provide leadership and support to reception colleagues, ensuring consistent standards and coverage at all times.

Office Facilities & Services

  • Ensure the consistent availability and presentation of snacks and beverages in all front‑of‑house areas, maintaining a welcoming environment for both staff and visitors.
  • Support and promote accessibility throughout the reception and office spaces, ensuring the environment accommodates individuals with special requirements.
  • Foster and maintain effective relationships with vendors and service providers, collaborating closely to ensure timely responses and high standards of service delivery.
  • Take ownership of front‑of‑house facility standards, addressing any issues promptly and liaising with relevant departments to maintain a clean, safe, and professional environment.

Maintaining a Secure, Safe, and Comfortable Front‑of‑House Environment

  • Lead by example in upholding health, safety, and security protocols within the reception and communal areas.
  • Ensure all building occupants are aware of their responsibilities when hosting visitors, including adherence to visitor protocols.
  • Clearly communicate site rules and expectations to guests upon arrival, ensuring they feel welcomed and informed.
  • Oversee the visitor sign‑in process in alignment with auditing guidelines, ensuring accurate records and smooth check‑in procedures.
  • Monitor the use of ID badges and access controls; liaise with security to issue or replace passes as required.
  • Remain vigilant and proactive in identifying and addressing any front‑of‑house safety concerns.
  • Provide or coordinate appropriate support in the event of medical needs, ensuring visitors and staff are guided to the necessary assistance promptly.

Reserve and Manage Meeting / Collaboration Space

  • Reserve meeting room, office or collaboration space for employees and confirm reservations.
  • Configure / set‑up meeting rooms to meet occupant needs.
  • Return meeting rooms to original configuration after use or to the desired configuration of the next meeting occupant.
  • Ensure reserved space is clean and tidy after use for the next occupant.
  • Provide other meeting support services to occupants on request.
  • Assist with setting or resolving any AV issues.
  • Ensure requests from stakeholders and VPs are acted upon swiftly during events / meetings.

Front‑of‑House Support & Guest Services

  • Serve as the central point of contact for all front‑of‑house inquiries, offering support, information, and guidance to occupants and visitors.
  • Deliver a consistently warm, professional, and approachable presence to enhance the overall workplace experience.
  • Provide hands‑on assistance to ensure a seamless and welcoming environment that enables occupants to remain focused and productive.
  • Maintain strong knowledge of site operations and key contacts to provide swift resolutions and accurate information.

Visitor Experience & Coordination

  • Lead the visitor welcome process by greeting all guests promptly and courteously upon arrival.
  • Liaise with internal hosts prior to visits to ensure all arrangements are in place for a smooth check‑in and registration experience.
  • Anticipate and accommodate specific guest needs by encouraging pre‑arrival communication and ensuring readiness of reception services.

Stakeholder & Vendor Relationship Management

  • Build and maintain strong professional relationships with internal stakeholders, external vendors, and senior leadership.
  • Act as a key point of contact for front‑of‑house service delivery, facilitating efficient communication and quick issue resolution through a trusted network of contacts.

Desirable Certifications (Training Can Be Provided)

  • Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Assessor
  • First Aid Certification
  • Fire Marshall Training
  • Hours of work alternate between 7.30am – 4.30pm and 8am – 5pm

Qualities and Personal Attributes: Essential (unless noted as Desirable)

Essential qualities and personal attributes for this role include professionalism, friendliness, proactive reliability, calmness under pressure, and teamwork.

Qualifications

  • Proven relevant experience, if no formal higher education.

Knowledge

  • Health & Safety legislation relevant to FM industry.

Skill and Experience

Essential:

  • Proven experience in a customer‑facing role, ideally within facilities or hospitality.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
  • Confidence working independently and taking initiative.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office and other workplace systems.

Desirable:

  • Knowledge of Health & Safety regulations relevant to facilities environments.
  • Previous experience handling executive‑level stakeholders.

Personal Attributes

  • Professional and presentable at all times.
  • Friendly, approachable, and confident in dealing with people at all levels.
  • Proactive, reliable, and capable of managing a varied workload.
  • Calm under pressure with a solution‑focused mindset.
  • Strong sense of responsibility and a team‑player mentality.

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Posted: June 4th, 2026