Higher education coordinator jobs

Role: National Programme Coordinator

Directorate:           Operations

Team: National Competitions

Manager:               Senior National Competitions Manager

Direct reports: N/A

Role purpose

The purpose of this role is to support the National Programme Team with the implementation of operational plans that deliver successful national skills competitions. This will include supporting the activities and actions relating to the national programme cycle, projects across diversity and inclusion and transfer of global standards to maximise local and national activity in the UK.

Key tasks and responsibilities

· To contribute to the successful delivery of WorldSkills UK’s strategic priorities and annual business objectives.

· To support skills competitions that raise standards of teaching and learning and serve as a key vehicle for practitioner development across the vocational education and training sector and the workplace, including Apprenticeship/Traineeships.

· To co-ordinate activities relating to requesting, tracking and quality assuring key documents required from our Competition Organising Partners (COPs), ensuring documents are received within set deadlines.

· To co-ordinate and support the planning and event delivery of national skills competition activity across the UK, including booking travel, venues, accommodation and catering.

· To administer and co-ordinate the local and national projects i.e. Competitor Support Fund, and Evaluations.

· To administer and co-ordinate project plans, reporting, finance, systems, processes (i.e. Quality Assurance) and document management.

· To support improved engagement in skills competitions by all Stakeholder groups and audiences.

· To support the organisation by producing reports and data requests using the organisational database and systems.

· To support the National Competitions Delivery Managers in the organisation of skills competitions, to include administration and research of new skills competitions.

· To co-ordinate and provide support on the implementation of the quality assurance process and ensure that accurate information is recorded at the bi-annual reviews with the COPs.

· To support the recruitment and briefing of volunteers as required for the national competition cycle.

· To organise and support communication with competitors, their organisations and COPs through monitoring the Competitions email inbox, allocating queries to team members and responding to requests for information and providing support to the team in answering queries from staff, external stakeholders and suppliers.

· To maintain and update competition management systems, records and files, handling confidential information in compliance with the organisations procedures.

· To effectively co-ordinate resources (including agencies, suppliers, contractors) so that all project elements are delivered to acceptable standards on time, to budget and meet the required specification(s)/objective(s) and assisting the team with financial processes such as raising purchase orders.

· To support activities/tasks in accordance with the agreed project plan to ensure delivery on time and to budget.

General:

In addition to the key tasks and responsibilities set out above, all employees at this level are expected to:

· Contribute to the successful delivery of WorldSkills UK’s strategic priorities and annual business objectives.

· Promote and comply with WorldSkills UK’s Employee Handbook and the policies contained therein with particular reference to those related to Health and Safety and on equity, diversity and inclusion.

· Carry out any other duty as may be reasonably assigned that is consistent with the nature of the job and its level of responsibility. Any significant changes will be made in consultation with the post holder acknowledging experience, education and ability.

Person specification

Key: [E] Essential / [D] Desirable.

Qualifications and experience:

· Demonstrable experience or qualifications relevant to project coordination or administrative support [E].

· Apprenticeship or other relevant project experience [D].

· Experience of providing support to programmes in the public sector [D].

· Experience of organising events [D].

· An understanding of basic project management principles [D].

Knowledge and skills:

· Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Office suite skills as well as using bespoke software programmes for data reporting [D].

· Highly developed administration skills [E].

· Good verbal, written and presentation skills [E].

· Knowledge of further education, apprenticeships and skills [D].

Personal qualities and attributes:

· Consistently dependable and acts with integrity in all professional matters [E].

· Able to work on own initiative with broad direction [E].

· Able to contribute to solving problems by offering practical or innovative approaches [E].

· Possess a strong work ethic and desire to achieve results [E].

· Flexible in working methods and ideas [E].

· Able to work collaboratively with others and contribute positively to team outcomes [E].

· Demonstrates commitment to the organisation’s mission and can support and encourage others [E].

· Respect for diversity and inclusion with practical ideas for their implementation within the scope of the post [E].

Special circumstances:

· Prepared occasionally to work outside normal hours [E].

· Prepared to travel within the United Kingdom [E].

· Able to spend time away from home [E].

Summary of terms and conditions

· Permanent.

· The salary for this role is £28,000.

· WorldSkills UK offers a maximum employer’s contribution to your pension of 6% of your basic salary, on the condition that you make an employee contribution to your pension of at least 3%. You may choose to contribute a higher percentage of your salary to your pension, subject to statutory limits.

· Group Death in Service (Life insurance) 3 x annual salary.

· Health Care Cash plan.

· Normal place of work is Third Floor, 52-54 St John Street, London EC1M 4HF. This role is office based (as above) but with flexible hybrid working. It is expected the postholder will attend the office at least once or twice a week.

· Full time working hours are a minimum of 35 hours per week, normal working hours are 09:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday although we pride ourselves on having a flexible approach to our working practices and service delivery and are happy to discuss flexible working options, with suitable candidates.

· 25 days’ annual leave [which will increase by one additional day for each completed year of service up to a maximum of 30 days] plus public and bank holidays.

· The post is subject to six months’ probationary period with two weeks’ notice during the probationary period and one month thereafter.

· The offer of appointment will be subject to satisfactory references.

· Salaries are paid monthly by direct transfer on or about 21st of the month.

How to apply

WorldSkills UK is committed to making appointments on merit by fair and open processes and use a blind recruitment approach. Please ensure that you submit your application in Word (curriculum vitae and cover letter) to help us in this process.

Applications should be submitted by email and must include:

· Curriculum vitae outlining your full career history. Please remove any identifying information to support our anonymised recruitment process. This includes your name, email address, date of birth, nationality, languages spoken other than English, photographs, and links to personal profiles (e.g. LinkedIn). Applications that contain identifying information in the CV may not be considered.

· Supporting statement outlining your suitability for the role, addressing the points listed in the role description and person specification. Throughout the recruitment process we will be looking for clear examples and evidence of your experience, knowledge and skills.

· Separate document containing your name, contact details (email and phone number) and confirmation of your right to work in the UK.

Interview process and timeline

It is intended that the interview process will have two stages:

· Stage 1 – online via MS Teams. The interviews will be held on Wednesday 15 April 2026.

 · Stage 2 – in person. Candidates progressing to the second stage will be invited to attend an in-person interview at our office: Third Floor, 52–54 St John Street, London EC1M 4HF. This stage of the interview process will take place on Wednesday 22 April 2026.

Candidates will be asked to complete a 30-minute interview task, the details of which will be provided to those invited to the interview.

Reasonable adjustments will be offered to all candidates during the recruitment process. For further information please contact our Senior HR Manager.

Application deadline

The deadline for applications is Monday 6 April 2026 at 17:00. Please note that late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Salary: £34,000 - £37,000 per annum

Contract: Permanent, full-time (35 hours per week)

Location: Central London

We are delighted to be supporting a global higher education institution in their search for a Student Engagement Coordinator to join their Student Life team. This is a full-time, campus-based role, looking to start in early April.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is passionate about student leadership, community building and co-curricular learning, and who enjoys working in a fast-paced, internationally diverse environment.

Key Responsibilities for this role include:

Leadership Development & Coordination

• Creating and delivering a co-curricular leadership framework for emerging and established student leaders.
• Developing structures, governance processes and support systems for student clubs, societies and organisations.
• Advising student leaders including Global Site Ambassadors, club officers and the First Year Student Council.
• Supporting identity-based and special-interest student groups.
• Co-maintaining cross-institutional relationships with partners such as the LSE Students' Union.

Student Engagement & Service Programming

• Designing and delivering programmes that develop leadership, wellbeing and community engagement.
• Building partnerships to expand volunteering and service-learning opportunities.
• Helping shape the long-term vision for service opportunities, including learning outcomes and student engagement pathways.
• Supporting cultural events, service projects and major community initiatives alongside colleagues.
• Serving as a chaperone for day trips and overnight excursions.

Supervision

• Providing leadership and oversight for Student Engagement functions as assigned.
• Line-managing one Student Engagement Administrator, setting priorities and supporting delivery.

General Student Life Duties

• Supporting orientations, arrivals, major events and departures throughout the academic year.
• Participating in the on-call duty rota and responding to urgent or emergency student situations.
• Providing front-desk cover when required and referring students to appropriate university services.
• Working occasional evenings, weekends and bank holidays during high-demand periods.

To be considered for this position, you should possess:

• Experience within a Higher Education setting, in student engagement, student life, leadership development or community-based programming.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to balance multiple priorities across the academic calendar.
• Confidence advising student leaders and supporting co-curricular initiatives.
• A collaborative approach and enthusiasm for working with diverse student populations.
• Flexibility to participate in occasional out-of-hours work and the on-call rota.

If you're excited by the opportunity to help shape student leadership, foster belonging and contribute to a vibrant global student community, we'd love to hear from you.

Please apply below and submit your CV in Word format.

As a specialist Recruitment Practice, we are committed to building inclusive and diverse organisations, and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you throughout the application process.

We are recruiting a Van Peer Coordinator to support our Hepatitis C peer project in the Oxford & Thames Valley area. This role involves driving a van across the region and working with people affected by substance use and hepatitis C. 

Peers use their lived experience to raise awareness of hepatitis C, reduce stigma, and help people access testing and treatment. 

About you 
You will: 

• Be confident driving a van and travelling long distances 

• Have experience working with people affected by substance misuse 

• Have lived experience of hepatitis C, or experience supporting someone who has 

• Be reliable, compassionate, and well organised 

• Have good communication skills 

• Hold a clean driving licence (essential) 

What you’ll do 

• Recruit and support volunteer peers 

• Work with NHS hepatitis C teams, drug and alcohol services, and homelessness services 

• Coordinate education sessions and community-based hepatitis C testing 

• Support people into hepatitis C treatment and ongoing care 

This role requires regular travel across Oxford & Thames Valley. 

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

IRC UK

IRC UK is part of the IRC global network, which has its global headquarters in New York. Our team in the UK works to raise profile, deliver policy and practice change, and increase funding to help restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Since 2021, IRC UK has also provided integration services directly to refugees in England.

In Europe, the IRC also has offices in Berlin, Bonn, Brussels, Geneva and Stockholm.

The Manager, International Philanthropy is part of the International Philanthropy team which focuses on raising gifts from individuals based outside of the U.S. and will support the activities of the team in managing donor accounts and coordinating day to day activities of the Senior Director and Director as required.

Major Responsibilities

• Collaborate with frontline fundraisers to implement strategies for high-net-worth individual donors and prospects within donor portfolios, bringing in critical revenue for the organization

• Draft and edit donor-facing communications, including letters, emails, contact reports, and tailored correspondence supporting donor engagement.

• Coordinate with internal teams to develop high-quality concept notes, proposals, presentations, and reports, managing drafts through final approval and formatting.

• Prepare agendas, briefings, and materials for donor meetings, prospect conversations, and internal strategy discussions.

• With fundraisers, act as the liaison between donors or prospects and field staff, ensuring both parties receive the most critical information and that it is communicated clearly and strategically reflective of its audience.

• Collaborate closely with Prospect Research and Management teams as well as Analytics and operations staff to co-lead and track the entire donor cycle.

• Support the planning and delivery of stewardship and cultivation events for international high-net-worth donors.

• Update the donor database (Salesforce) to maintain portfolio assignments, draft and update giving proposals, request prospect research, monitor report requirements and submissions, track ongoing donor communication and activity as well as additional relationship management duties.

• Support payment processing and ensure documentation complies with IRC and donor requirements.

• Provide operational and administrative support to the Senior Director and Director, including scheduling, travel coordination, and preparation for board or leadership meetings.

• Maintain teamwide systems, materials, and processes, support onboarding for new team members, and contribute to special projects as assigned.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Key contacts across IRC in UK and internationally:

• International Philanthropy Team

• USA Philanthropy

• Communications team

• Policy and Advocacy team

• UK Finance team

• President’s Office and Executive Director of IRC- UK

Person Specification

Skills, Knowledge and Qualifications:

• Knowledge and understanding of the principles and methods of philanthropy fundraising**

• Experience with Salesforce database or similar CRM system** (Salesforce Administrator certification a plus)

• Excellent project management skills with demonstrable ability to prioritize and organize own workload and meet conflicting deadlines**

• Excellent project management skills with demonstrable ability to prioritize and organize own workload and meet conflicting deadlines**

• Ability to establish and build relationships with donors, colleagues and senior stakeholders at all levels and from a variety of backgrounds, both externally and within IRC**

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher, with professional fundraising certifications an advantage, or equivalent experience

• Experience in the following markets preferred – UK and US

• Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and enthuse, through the delivery of strong external and internal communication

• Previous experience of working with high-net-worth individuals and their support functions i.e. EA’s, wealth advisors and/or private offices;

• Experience of supporting a team including the implementation of high-level events;

• Excellent attention to detail

• Excellent Microsoft Office software skills including Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint

• Ability to understand and demonstrate commitment to IRC’s Equal Opportunities Policy and to ensure all activities are consistent with Equal Opportunities

• HTML experience a plus, to help support website updates.

• Passion for IRC’s mission and demonstrable interest in fundraising.

This is an exciting role in a unique organisation.  Our vision is to provide an outstanding experience for all UCL students and to be one of the best students’ unions in the UK and the world.  We aim to build a vibrant and empowered student community with real influence in UCL and beyond, that enables students to enjoy their time at university; pursue their interests and passions; see the world in new ways; and develop the skills and experience to change the world for the better.

We are a registered charity employing over 150 career staff and 300 student staff, delivering a wide range of services and representative functions for UCL students. We have the widest portfolio of services of any student organisation in the country, managing UCL’s extracurricular programmes for sport, music, drama, dance, media, volunteering, academic societies and intercultural engagement; providing a wide range of fantastic social spaces; leading on student democracy and representation across UCL; and offering excellent student support services.

It's an exciting time to join our growing organisation as we lead the delivery of UCL’s groundbreaking new Student Life Strategy. This is enabling us to build more programmes to improve students’ mental and physical wellbeing, promote genuine equity for all, build students’ skills and confidence, develop their international connections and intercultural skills, and make a real contribution to our local community.

We support hybrid working. Excellent benefits including defined benefit pension scheme and generous holiday entitlement. We are proud of high levels of staff engagement and pride ourselves on being a great place to work. We will consider applications to work on a flexible and job share basis wherever possible. 

The role is full-time and permanent. This role is based at our Bloomsbury campus with flexibility to work from home on a 40/60 basis (40% working from the office).

We are looking for a Societies Development Coordinator to provide accurate, consistent and innovative support to the 400+ clubs and societies, committees and volunteers. They will support the delivery of a variety of student led events and activities, empowering and enabling student leaders. This role will put students’ experience at the forefront of everything we do, focusing on providing excellent management of stakeholder relationships, problem solving and risk management with student activities.

Do you have experience in organising and managing a variety of events; or enabling volunteers to deliver events? Do you have Knowledge and understanding of student activities programmes including clubs, societies and volunteering? 

If the answer is yes, then we want to hear from you.

Our ideal candidate will have the ability to manage conflicting priorities and busy workload, excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a diverse range of people and be committed to working in a democratic and student led environment.

In this 12‑month pilot, delivered in partnership with the NHS and East Midlands Cancer Alliance, you’ll work directly with underserved communities to:

• Increase cancer screening uptake through personalised, culturally competent support.
• Deliver community education and awareness activities focused on recognising cancer symptoms and understanding screening programmes.
• Build strong partnerships with GP practices, Primary Care Networks and local voluntary sector organisations.

What you’ll do:
✔ Support people facing cultural, practical or emotional barriers to screening.
✔ Deliver outreach sessions and community events across Nottingham.
✔ Record outcomes, gather insights and contribute to shaping future cancer services

Make a real difference to people’s lives and help transform cancer outcomes in Nottingham.

For a detailed job description and person specification and how to apply, please visit our website: Self Help UK/Recruitment  

Please Note: All interviews are in person at our Nottingham office or online by arrangement only

#cancer #healthequity #communityengagement #NHS #NottinghamJobs #CharityJob

Are you a highly organised project leader with a track record of developing rigorous and impactful processes? Do you want to lead the delivery of the nationally-recognised accreditation transforming mental health in higher education? This could be the role for you.

We’re looking for a methodical and strategic Programme Manager (Award) to manage the end-to-end delivery of University Mental Health Charter (UMHC) Award and act as key spokesperson for the programme. 

You’ll play a vital role in ensuring that the Award upholds its standards and values, and continues to develop and scale, supporting positive change for staff and students at universities across the UK.

About the role

• Lead the delivery of the nationally-recognised accreditation for mental health in higher education: the University Mental Health Charter Award.
• The UMHC Award recognises universities that promote the mental health and wellbeing of their university communities and supports them to continually improve. 
• You will own the end-to-end management of a complex, high-profile and impactful programme, balancing administrative excellence and strategic development.

Key responsibilities

• Drive the Award lifecycle, from onboarding universities, coordinating our network of assessors and managing the Award panel.
• Scale and continually improve the Award process, ensuring it remains rigorous, impactful and values-led.
• Act as key spokesperson and point of contact for universities and other stakeholders.
• Responsible for budget, risk and line management. 

What we’re looking for

• Proven track record of managing complex projects.
• Experience developing, maintaining and improving robust systems and processes.
• A rigorous approach to accuracy and quality control.
• Comfortable holding difficult conversations with stakeholders at all levels.
• A commitment to co-production, equality, anti-racism and an interest in mental health.

Find out more about the essential criteria for this role by downloading our Recruitment Pack from the documents section.

What you will gain

• The chance to contribute to a high-impact national programme supporting better mental health for university communities across the UK.
• Experience in a varied role with opportunities to learn and develop.
• A supportive and collaborative workplace culture that values wellbeing.
• Flexibility in how and where you work. 

How to apply
If this sounds like a good fit, we’d love to hear from you!

1. Click “Redirect to recruiter”, then scroll to the 'Vacancies and volunteering' section of our 'Join our team' page to access the job listing.
2. Download the recruitment pack in the document section at the bottom of this page, where you’ll find more information about the role including responsibilities and person specifications. 
3. Download and complete our application form - instead of collecting CVs, we use an application form to ensure fairness and equal opportunity for all. 
   1. Please refrain from including any identifying details in your application answers.
4. Upload your completed application form as a word document. 
   1. Please note that once you start your application on our portal, you will have 24 hours to upload your completed form. Before clicking 'Apply' and beginning the application process, make sure your form is fully completed and ready to upload.
5. Complete the Equality Monitoring Form.

Student Minds is committed to building an inclusive team and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and walks of life.

This is an exceptional opportunity at one of the world's most prestigious universities at a time of extraordinary ambition and philanthropic momentum. 

Associate Director of Development – Principal Gifts
Employer: University of Oxford
Salary: £65,336 - £82,255 with scope to go beyond for a leading professional with outstanding experience and track record
Location: Oxford (Hybrid)

Here at the University of Oxford, we are recruiting three Associate Directors of Development – Principal Gifts to join our incredible team. These are new positions, part of an expansion of our friendly, collaborative and successful Principal Gifts team.

As Associate Director of Development – Principal Gifts, you will operate at the highest levels of the University to secure transformational gifts at the eight-figure-plus level, advancing Oxford’s mission and global impact.  Your work will help ensure that Oxford continues to attract the brightest minds, pursue world-leading research, and address the most urgent challenges facing humanity.

You will work closely with the Vice-Chancellor, Chief Development and Alumni Engagement Officer, Director of Development – Principal Gifts, and other senior leaders to align principal gift opportunities with institutional priorities and articulate a compelling case for support to some of the world’s most significant philanthropists.

Your impact will be enduring – enabling breakthrough discoveries, expanding opportunity for students, and strengthening Oxford’s position as a global leader in education and research.  The Associate Director of Development role offers the chance not only to secure transformational gifts, but also to shape the future of Oxford’s philanthropic culture and leave a legacy at an institution that has been changing the world for over nine centuries.

This is a chance to join a dedicated, professional and ambitious team at a time when Oxford’s fundraising is at unprecedented levels. With strong support from the Vice-Chancellor, a proven track record of principal gift success, and an unparalleled global reputation, you will have every opportunity to make your mark, both at Oxford and in your career.

You will be passionate about what we do here, not phased by complexity and ambiguity, and comfortable orchestrating a myriad of stakeholders.  We hope to hear from you!

The University of Oxford is partnering with Erin Hall-Westfall and Joanna Logan of Constellate Global Talent on this search.

Closing date: midnight on Monday, 6 April 2026.

Interested?

Please familiarise yourself with the attached Candidate Pack.
To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter.

Diversity and Inclusivity

The University of Oxford is committed to equal opportunity, and to being a place where everyone belongs and is supported to succeed. We recognise how the diversity of our community enriches our ability to deliver on our academic mission.

We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds, including those under-represented within higher education. No applicant or members of staff shall be unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

No agencies please

RNCSF enables hundreds of vulnerable children each year to access the care, stability and education that prepares them for success in life--join our small and dedicated team to run the SpringForward programme for care-experienced post-18 success through university preparation and employment opportunities leveraging resources from the UK's top independent schools.

About the Role

As a passionate professional in the identification, development and management of a wide range of relationships in support of our programme partnership, you will ensure the Career Ready programme in Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire continues to thrive, which includes securing charitable donations from supporting partners. You will work closely with our Programme & Partnerships Manager for Glasgow, in support of our work growing there.

This role requires experience of partnership and account management and the scale and ambition of our social mobility work means you will need to be well organised, confident and able to positively influence a wide range of people including headteachers, teachers, CEOs and HRDs.

You will identify and approach opportunities that are well researched and pursue with unswerving perseverance. It’s also a great chance to develop personally.

Programme & Partnership Managers lead the delivery of our programme locally. In this role, you’ll grow, develop, and maintain the employer and education partnerships that make the Career Ready programme work — including our Local Advisory Boards, Local Authorities, school coordinators, the Developing the Young Workforce Regional Group, and the employers and volunteers who provide mentoring with the accompanying paid internship, deliver engaging masterclasses, and support events.

Once you’re confident in what, why, when, and how of our work, you will:
1. Lead, grow, and strengthen the Career Ready partnerships in Renfrewshire & West
Dunbartonshire.

You’ll ensure an excellent programme experience for all stakeholders and secure employer engagement for approximately 60+ students each year (with growth expected) who take part in our 18-month programme. This includes ensuring
sufficient mentors with the accompanying paid internship, high-quality masterclasses and purposeful events.

2. Support programme delivery, stakeholder engagement and the generation of new programme and funding partnerships across Renfrewshire & West Dunbartonshire. 

You’ll work closely with the Career Ready Glasgow & West Areas Local Advisory Board, the Programme & Partnerships Manager for Glasgow, the Head of Programme & Operations, the Scotland Partnerships Manager, Partnerships Lead, and your fellow Programme & Partnerships Managers — all committed to delivering quality, impact, and sustainability. You’ll also collaborate with the Scotland Operations Team to
ensure accurate data, strong processes, and effective management information for the area.

Find out more

You can find out more about the role, and working at Career Ready, in our candidate pack.

• £36,000 - £39,870 DOE (pro rata for part time)
• A working from home allowance of £300 pa is provided (pro rata for part time)
• Annual leave: 27 days holiday plus bank/public holidays. In addition, Career Ready is closed between Christmas and New Year. Career Ready also allows flexible use of some Bank & Public Holidays
• 6% of salary contribution to a private pension subject to an employee contribution of 3%
• Access to both our Reward Gateway Portal and an Employee Assistance Programme
• Business expenses including mileage allowance for car usage

How to apply

Please visit our website for full details of how to apply.

Timetable

• Closing date: 5 pm, Monday 16 March 2026 (early applications are encouraged)
• Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an initial screening conversation prior to interview
• Interviews will take place from w/c 30 March 2026

If you'd like to find out more about The Elephant Group, the work that we do, and this exciting new role, join us on 12th March at our live webinar (link in application pack). 

We’re on a mission to create fairer access to top universities and to transform how young people learn. As our Development and Delivery Lead, you will play a pivotal, leading role in shaping, delivering and growing our Meta Method programme and associated provisions.

This role is ideal for an experienced, confident educator, school support staff member, or outreach professional who thrives in front of large audiences and is ready to take ownership of high-impact delivery. You will lead the delivery of content both in person and (occasionally) online, working directly with schools, students and partners, and acting as a visible and credible ambassador for the organisation.

Alongside delivery, you will work closely with the CEO and Head of Development & Operations to develop, refine and evolve programme content, ensuring it remains engaging, pedagogically robust and responsive to the needs of schools and students. You will bring creativity, judgement and initiative, contributing to programme innovation and the organisation’s wider growth.

As a pivotal member of the Development and Operations team, you will take lead responsibility for the coordination and delivery of Meta Method and additional programmes, ensuring schools are well supported and delivery runs smoothly. You will also play an important role in growing demand for our work, leading conversations around additional programme sales, partnerships and future opportunities.

This is a unique opportunity for someone who wants to combine excellent delivery skills with strategic influence, and who is motivated by seeing their work translate directly into improved outcomes for young people. For the right person, the role offers real autonomy, visibility, and the chance to shape the future direction of an ambitious and values-driven organisation.

This is initially a 12-month contract, however we anticipate that the post will become permanent subject to adequate growth and funding. 

PLEASE NOTE WEBINAR WILL NOW BE ON FRIDAY 13TH MARCH AT MIDDAY 

Key information

Location: Manchester, Bristol, Newcastle, Nottingham, or London

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (full time)

Start date: ASAP (we are happy to work with notice periods)

Duration: Permanent

Salary: £36,340 - £41,065 per annum if based in London. £33,690 - £38,410 per annum if based in Bristol, Manchester, Newcastle or Nottingham, plus a £312 yearly tax-free work from home allowance.

Application deadline: Wednesday 18th March, 12pm

This application process will consist of 3 stages: Application, 1st interview and Assessment Centre (presentation task & interview).

About upReach 

Do you think that your socio-economic background should determine your career prospects?

upReach’s vision is of a society in which everybody has an equal opportunity to realise their full career potential. Our work is important because right now a student from disadvantaged background who gains a first-class degree from a top university is less likely to secure an elite job than a more privileged student with a 2.2. 

We are an award-winning charity employer working to address this issue in partnership with employers and universities. We help undergraduates from lower socioeconomic backgrounds achieve their career potential by providing an intensive programme of support that addresses socio-economic barriers to graduate employment. 

To find out more about how we support our students, visit our website and read our Annual Report, and Impact Report.

Role Summary

As a University Partnership Manager at upReach, you will play a vital role in securing and growing high-impact partnerships with universities committed to social mobility.

Reporting to the Head of Partnerships within the Income Generation and External Engagement team, you will be responsible for developing new strategic relationships, championing our partners' voices across upReach, and working closely with our Programmes Team to oversee a portfolio of university partners. You’ll lead stakeholder engagement, take ownership of partnership outcomes and work collaboratively across upReach with our marketing, impact and programme teams.

Core Responsibilities

You will play a critical role in advancing upReach’s mission by generating income and leading upReach’s University Partnerships strategy. Creating life-changing opportunities for our Associates through high-impact university partnerships. You will be directly supporting the organisation's strategic priorities: driving sustainable income growth, enhancing programme impact and expanding our reach as a national charity.

Given the expansive and dynamic nature of this role, the list of responsibilities is not exhaustive, but provides a clear overview of your primary areas of responsibility, ownership and impact.

The core responsibilities include:

Develop and Secure New Strategic University Partnerships

• Proactively identify, cultivate, and convert a pipeline of four and five-figure prospective university partners aligned with upReach’s mission and strategic goals.

• Lead high-quality prospecting and relationship-building activity, targeting income-generating partnerships that also deliver high-impact opportunities for Associates.

• Build strong relationships with key contacts at potential partners, including senior stakeholders within widening participation, employability, and careers teams, through regular in-person and virtual meetings.

• Deliver compelling, insight-driven proposals and presentations tailored to organisational priorities and demonstrating mutual value.

Stakeholder Representation and Engagement

• Act as a visible representative of upReach at key partner events, conferences, and roundtables, building relationships, showcasing our impact, and raising our external profile.

• Leverage social media strategically to spotlight partnership activity, amplify success stories and demonstrate the value of our partnerships in real time.

• Respond swiftly and professionally to partner and prospective partner requests, ensuring timely, accurate information and follow-up.

• Capture, report and disseminate key themes and insights from partner feedback, helping to inform decision-making and continuously improve the partnership experience.

Monitor and Grow Existing University Partnerships

• Responsibility for a portfolio of upReach’s existing university partners, ensuring effective stewardship of the day-to-day relationship with high satisfaction, sustainable renewal and growth.

• Set and monitor partnership goals and OKRs, leading regular reviews and performance reporting.

• Identify opportunities to deepen and broaden engagement with existing partners, including expanding partnership activities.

• Collaborate with the Student Attraction and Programme teams to engage the university in identifying & promoting the programme.

• Working closely with upReach’s Programme teams to ensure partnerships and programmes are delivered to a high standard.

• Lead on university partnership health reviews and mid-year partner reviews to ensure any issues are dealt with effectively, promptly and collaboratively.

Partnership Visibility and Impact

• Collaborate closely with Marketing & Communications to co-create high-quality content and campaigns that showcase our strategic partnerships through university guides, case studies, thought leadership, social media, and joint events.

• Lead on impact reporting for your partnership portfolio, using both data and compelling stories to evidence the outcomes of the partnership and drive continued engagement.

• Proactively identify and deliver opportunities for partners to amplify the voice of upReach; through our external events, fundraising opportunities and sharing social-media collateral that promotes our work.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Innovation

• Collaborate with the Finance team to ensure timely and accurate invoicing and contracting for all University partnerships, supporting effective financial management.

• Maintain up-to-date and accurate records of partnership activity using upReach’s internal CRM and systems, enabling effective reporting, forecasting and stewardship.

• Uphold the organisation’s legal and ethical obligations, including data protection, charity law, and compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements.

• Manage and support a rotation of the Future Charity Leaders Programme, providing guidance, feedback, and development opportunities.

• Meet monthly with University Leads (the Programme Coordinator responsible for day-to-day university activities) to set partnership priorities, monitor stakeholder KPIs (onboarding, engagement), and deliver updates to universities.

• Contribute to the achievement of income targets aligned with upReach’s strategic goals, identifying and progressing opportunities to drive revenue growth.

• Engage fully in the annual appraisal process, setting ambitious, SMART objectives that align with organisational priorities and your personal development.

Skills and Experience

The ideal candidate for the University Partnerships Manager should display these behavioural skills:

• Strong track record of relationship-building, influencing, and delivering high-quality engagement with a range of stakeholders, ideally including senior university professionals.

• Excellent organisational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines autonomously.

• Confident and pragmatic decision maker in a fast-paced environment, with an understanding of when to escalate situations and seek input appropriately.

• Proven ability to develop and implement partnership or engagement strategies that strengthen collaboration and deliver shared goals.

• Collaborative team player with experience supporting and working across diverse teams to deliver shared objectives.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including confidence in preparing and delivering presentations and reports.

• Proficient in using CRM or data management systems to track engagement, manage pipelines, and generate actionable insights.

• Experience measuring and reporting on partnership impact, engagement, or value creation.

Desirable:

• Experience in university partnerships, fundraising, account management, or stakeholder engagement.

• Understanding of widening participation, employability, or student success strategies within a higher education setting.

• Experience collaborating with marketing or communications teams to create joint campaigns, content, or case studies that drive engagement.

Team Culture & Benefits: 

We offer: 

• Flexible and hybrid working.

• Statutory Holiday Entitlement of 25 days and bank holidays. This increases to 2 additional days after 2.5 years and then to 3 additional days after 5 years of working with us. 

• Birthday leave and Volunteering leave

• Enhanced Parental Leave beyond statutory requirements for all team members. 

• 3% Pension Contribution, which increased to 5% after 5 years of working with us. 

• Cycle-to-work scheme.

• Monthly socials and annual wellbeing days

• Dedication to Staff Wellbeing through our Employee Assistance Programme and Mental Health First Aid Training. 

• Personal Development Budget, activated after 6 months in the role.

• The opportunity to participate in our fantastic staff networks: 

  • Disability and Inclusion Network

  • Diverse Roots Network 

  • Green Network 

  • LGBTQ+ Network

  • Mindfulness Network

  • Parents and Carers Network

  • (Im)Migrants Network 

Ready to apply?

We are committed to making our recruitment process inclusive. All applications will be blind screened, and our job packs are available in Braille, large text or another format upon request. We can provide reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment application process and on the job, and we'll always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible.

Applications close on Wednesday 18th March at 12pm.. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

At upReach, we are committed to being an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate in employment matters on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, disability, social background or any other protected class. We celebrate and value the diverse perspectives that people from all backgrounds bring to our team. We are passionate about creating a workplace that is inclusive and reflects the diversity of communities across the UK. Diversity in the workplace creates dynamic and effective organisations and we are actively working to build a more inclusive workforce by continuously improving our recruitment, retention, and development practices. We  encourage applications from individuals from underrepresented groups, including Black, Asian and other ethnic minority backgrounds, those with disabilities , those who are care-experienced, those from low socio-economic backgrounds, and those who are LGBTQIA+.

Are you an experienced HR Manager looking for a new challenge?

Do you inspire confidence in colleagues?

Can you handle a diverse workload?

The Diocese of Carlisle is looking for a

Human Resources Manager who will:

• provide high quality, reliable advice on HR law, policy and practice for clergy office holders and lay employees
• advise-on and implement HRM strategies, policies and procedures
• manage multiple recruitments
• oversee the development and operation of HR systems
• promote wellbeing and occupational health support across the Diocese
• ensure data protection compliance

Salary: £50,703 FTE 28 to 35 hours per week (other hours/flexible patterns of work may be negotiated) plus 15% non-contributory pension. Support with relocation costs.

Interviews: 26th March 2026 at Church House, Penrith