Salaries and costs
Admin pay in Solihull tracks wider West Midlands rates, with entry administrators from £20,000 to £24,000, experienced administrators from £24,000 to £28,000, and office managers from £30,000 to £38,000. Temp administrators often sit at £11 to £14 per hour, with senior PAs from £16 to £22 per hour. Recruitment fees on permanent hires tend to range from 12% to 20% of the starting salary, depending on exclusivity, role scarcity, and service level. Temp charge rates include pay, holiday accrual, employer National Insurance, pension, and agency margin, so managers should compare like-for-like. Agencies will discuss rebate periods, temp-to-perm conversions, and credit terms in advance, which helps finance teams plan, spend and track agency costs. For candidates, transparent pay rates and clear payslip lines help avoid confusion about holiday pay and pension deductions.
Qualifications
Most employers ask for solid Microsoft Office skills, strong written English, and comfort with calendars and CRM systems. NVQs or City & Guilds in Business Administration can help for junior roles, and AAT qualifications can be a plus for finance admin posts. Schools and healthcare settings often require up-to-date DBS checks, and some legal and medical secretarial roles value sector-specific software exposure. Shorthand is less common now, though fast and accurate typing still matters for minute-taking and transcription. Agencies will test IT skills during registration, helping quickly shortlist for time-pressed hiring managers.
Entry requirements
Many admin jobs require GCSEs, including Maths and English. Employers often value experience over formal study, so a track record covering call handling, document control, or purchasing support can carry weight. For customer-facing reception roles, clear communication and a calm phone manner matter. For data-heavy roles, accuracy and confidentiality are key, with awareness of GDPR obligations. Candidates should register with an agency with an updated CV, proof of right to work, and referee details, which speeds up onboarding for temporary, permanent, and contract work.
Roles and career paths
Recruitment agencies place receptionists, administrators, team assistants, PAs, EAs, and office managers across Solihull. Demand is steady for HR administrators, payroll administrators, sales support, scheduling coordinators, and document controllers. Career paths move from general admin to specialist streams, such as legal secretarial, medical secretarial, or procurement support. Strong performers progress into senior PA or EA roles, project support, or operations coordination, with options to step into people management in office management posts. Agencies can flag training gaps and suggest short courses to strengthen candidates’ profiles for the next step.
Local hiring challenges
Solihull employers compete with Birmingham city centre for experienced PAs and EAs, which can stretch search times for niche roles. Hybrid patterns mean candidates weigh commute time and parking against office attendance, so clear policies help reduce dropouts. Schools and NHS sites can face seasonal clearance backlogs, so managers often plan temporary cover early. Recruitment consultants with active temp pools shorten lead times for sudden peaks, such as sickness cover or project bursts. Local businesses benefit when job adverts show salary bands, benefits, and working patterns upfront, which supports retention and faster acceptance.
Key sectors or employers in the region
The borough hosts professional services, the automotive supply chain, retail head office functions, healthcare, and education, all of which rely on steady administrative support. Blythe Valley Business Park and Birmingham Business Park sit within commuting reach, with clusters of shared service and customer contact teams. Touchwood and Solihull town centre add retail and leisure office roles, while sites near Birmingham Airport and the NEC create demand for scheduling, logistics admin, and events coordination. Local employers value punctuality and flexibility due to early starts tied to travel and venue operations.
Temporary, permanent, and contract work
Temp agencies provide same-day cover for reception, data entry, and payroll support, helping businesses ride short spikes without long-term commitments. Fixed-term contracts suit maternity cover and project rollout, where onboarding and handover time are available. Permanent hiring locks in knowledge and culture fit, with agencies advising on notice alignment and start dates. Jobseekers who can start at short notice often secure fast temp placements that convert to permanent roles, which suits career changers and returners. Employers should provide preferred hours, systems used, and team size, so recruiters can match quickly.
Regional or geographic variations
Pay is often highest near business parks and transport hubs, where parking costs and hours can stretch the day. Roles in schools or GP practices may require shorter shifts to align with term-time or clinic schedules, while head-office roles lean toward hybrid office hours. Strong commuter links on the M42 and A41, plus Solihull and Shirley stations, widen the candidate pool across Dorridge, Knowle, Olton, and Hall Green. Clear travel details in ads help reduce late-stage withdrawals, which keeps hiring timelines realistic.
Regulatory and compliance standards
Right-to-work checks apply to all hires, with agencies handling verification during registration. GDPR duties cover handling of personal data, so secure document storage and access rules matter across admin workflows. Roles in schools, care, or health settings often require DBS checks, and some finance posts may require basic credit checks when cash handling is involved. Health and safety awareness supports front desk roles where visitor management and evacuation procedures sit within the admin remit. Agencies brief candidates on site policies that support safe, compliant starts.
Common job roles agencies recruit for in this area
Solihull employers advertise for receptionist, administrator, office coordinator, PA, EA, HR administrator, payroll administrator, sales administrator, purchasing assistant, and customer service administrator. Specialist roles include legal secretaries, medical secretaries, project administrators, and board meeting minute takers. Recruitment agencies keep shortlists ready for high-volume data entry and inbound call roles during seasonal peaks, with out of out-of-hours rota cover for venues and travel-linked operations.
Quick facts and frequently asked questions
What notice do temps need to give for ending an assignment?
Most agencies accept same-day notice for low-risk assignments, though a handover day is sensible for complex roles.
How fast can an agency supply a receptionist in Solihull?
For business hours coverage, many temp agencies can supply within 24 hours if the brief and rates are agreed upon.
Can a temp role convert to a permanent role?
Yes, many placements convert, with a temp-to-perm fee or a qualifying period before transfer.
Do schools and GP practices need DBS checks for admin staff?
Yes, these settings usually require DBS checks and references before start dates.
What information helps agencies fill roles quickly?
A clear job title, systems used, hours, salary or pay rate, location, and hybrid policy help recruiters shortlist fast.
Do candidates pay to register with admin recruitment agencies?
No, candidates do not pay fees to register with agencies; the agencies invoice the employer for placements.