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Student and Graduate Opportunities Graduate Placement

University of Derby -
Kedleston

Job details

Full-time | Fixed term contract
£27,547.00 - £32,638.15 a year

Benefits

Cycle to work scheme
On-site gym
Annual leave
Company pension
Employee assistance programme
Employee discount
Sick pay

Qualifications

Stakeholder engagement
Stakeholder collaboration
Event coordination
Stakeholder liaison
Writing skills
Partnership building
Recruiting
Organisational skills
Event planning assistance
Business
Communication skills

Full job description

Job details

Responsible to

Student and Graduate Opportunities Manager

Location

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus

Closing date

Wednesday 26 August 2026

Salary

£27,547 to £28,381 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £32,638.15 per annum)

Job grade

ATOS 3

Reference

0206-26

Contract type

Fixed term contract 9 months

Post type

Full-time

Adaptive working type

Hybrid
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location with the opportunity to work remotely available in line with our Adaptive Working Framework.

About the University

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

About the College/Department

We are right at the heart of the issues and challenges that matter - to our city, our region, to business, industry and our communities and society in general. Investing in our future, partnering with sector-leading businesses to drive innovation and create a collaborative environment where research has real impact and graduate talent can flourish.

Our Business Engagement and Employability Team focuses on how the University interacts with industry in three key areas: support for our students and graduates to develop and successfully reach their aspirations, linking business to academics and research students to assist with research, knowledge exchange and consultancy, and the provision of skills that are relevant to industry, whether through courses, apprenticeships, CPD or further training.

About the Careers and Employment Service

The Careers and Employment Service supports University of Derby students with reaching their career ambitions. We are dedicated to helping students gain the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to achieve a positive Graduate Outcome through in-curriculum delivery, tailored appointments, digital resources, on-campus events and industry connections. We are available to all students from the first day of their university journey, up to three years post-graduation.

As an Applied University, real-world learning is embedded across all programmes. The Careers and Employment Service encourages and supports students to secure further industry experience from internships and placements to boost their employability and career prospects. We provide guidance to academics on impactful employability activity and curriculum delivery.

The Team works closely with the wider Business Engagement and Employability Team to create valuable student development and recruitment opportunities with a diverse range of local, national, and global industry partners.

About the role

Please note this role is for University of Derby Graduates who graduated in summer 2025 or 2026 only.

This graduate placement opportunity offers a valuable introduction to the world of student employability, careers support, and graduate engagement. Working as part of the Student and Graduate Opportunities team, you will support a range of initiatives designed to help students and recent graduates successfully transition into employment, further study, and other professional opportunities.

The role provides hands-on experience in administration, stakeholder engagement, event coordination, communications, and data management, while working closely with colleagues across the University and external employer partners. You will contribute to building and maintaining relationships with employers and organisations, support communication and recruitment systems such as the Derby Talent Team Inbox and CareerHub, and assist in the planning and delivery of employability activities and careers events.

You will help collect and manage feedback and information from students, graduates, and employers, ensuring records are accurate, confidential, and up to date. The role also involves collaborating with academic colleges, professional services, and the Students’ Union on projects that enhance graduate outcomes and widen access to opportunities.

In addition, you will support the development of employability resources and promotional content, help raise awareness of employment and career opportunities through approved communication channels, and contribute to engagement projects across the wider team. This is an excellent opportunity for an organised, proactive individual who is keen to develop professional skills, gain experience working with a variety of stakeholders, and make a positive impact on the student and graduate experience.

Anticipated interview date: Friday 4th September 2026

About You

We are looking for a recent University of Derby graduate (graduated summer 2025 or 2026) who is enthusiastic, proactive, and keen to develop their professional skills within a student and graduate employability environment. The ideal candidate will bring experience from customer service or customer-facing roles, demonstrating a commitment to providing a positive and professional experience for a range of stakeholders.

You will have developed transferable skills through your studies, part-time employment, volunteering, extracurricular activities, or project work, and be confident managing tasks and responsibilities both independently and as part of a team. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential, as the role involves building effective relationships with students, graduates, employers, and colleagues across the University.

We are seeking someone who can use their initiative, adapt to changing priorities, and approach challenges with a positive and solutions-focused mindset. This opportunity is ideal for a recent graduate looking to apply their experience in a professional setting while gaining valuable exposure to graduate engagement, employability initiatives, stakeholder liaison, and project support.

Principal accountabilities

The role will support the Student and Graduate Opportunities Manager and wider team by assisting with:

Supporting relationships with employers and external organisations, helping to coordinate communication, handling the Derby Talent Team Inbox and CareerHub approvals alongside the Graduate Transitions Officer and assisting with the organisation of employability activities.

Collecting and recording information, including feedback from students, graduates, and employers, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality.

Working with staff across colleges, services, and the Students’ Union to support collaborative projects and ensure graduates have access to a range of opportunities.

Assisting with the creation of employability resources, such as digital content, information guides, and promotional materials.

Helping to organise and deliver careers events, including preparing materials, coordinating logistics, and supporting employer participation.

Promoting employment opportunities to students and recent graduates through approved communication channels.

Supporting engagement projects, contributing to work streams, and assisting colleagues involved in engagement activities.

The post holder will also be expected to:

Support recruitment and outreach activities such as open days.

Contribute positively to the team’s performance culture.

Follow University Health and Safety requirements.

Carry out any other duties appropriate to a placement-level role that support the student experience.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

University of Derby Recent Graduate (graduated summer 2025 or summer 2026)

Experience

Experience in customer services and/or customer facing role
Experience of working on tasks or projects as part of studies, part time work, volunteering, or extracurricular activities
Experience of meeting deadlines
Experience of using initiative in academic or work setting

Skills, knowledge and abilities

Interest in careers, employability, or supporting others
Good organisational skills
Strong interpersonal skills and confidence communicating with a range of people
Attention to detail and a methodical approach
Ability to assist with presentations or events
Basic understanding of digital communication tools and social media
Willingness to learn problem solving skills
Good written and verbal communication
Ability to work flexibly and adapt to changing tasks
Willingness to support research, evaluation, or impact activities where appropriate

Business requirements

Willingness and flexibility to travel and work between University sites, when required, in a cost effective and timely manner
Willingness to provide support at University events from time to time e.g., Graduation, Clearing and Open Days, (some of these events occur outside of normal working hours, such as evenings and weekends)

Desirable Criteria

Experience

Interest in or experience of working within Higher Education
Experience supporting events or promotional activities

Skills, knowledge and abilities

An understanding of data protection issues
An understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion issues
An understanding of the graduate labour market

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
Local Government Pension Scheme
Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
Discounted onsite gym
Cycle to Work scheme
A flexible working environment
A commitment to personal and professional development

Key contact

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Jacqui Measures, Student and Graduate Opportunities Manager via [email protected] or Oliver Wiles, Graduate Transitions Officer via [email protected]

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via [email protected].

Important information

Visa Sponsorship Eligibility

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The University of Derby is committed to fostering an open, inclusive and diverse community where everyone is treated with dignity, fairness and respect. We are committed to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex or sexual orientation.

As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to inclusive recruitment and welcome requests for adjustments throughout the recruitment process. Applicants may choose their preferred title, including 'Mx', and may share preferred pronouns if they wish. We also use anonymised shortlisting to help reduce the potential impact of unconscious bias. For more information on equity, diversity and inclusion at the University of Derby, please visit our website.

We are also committed to promoting academic freedom and freedom of speech and expression within the law, in line with our Code of Practice, and value diversity of thought alongside diversity of backgrounds and experiences.

However you identify, we welcome applications from people whose experiences, perspectives and talents will contribute to our inclusive, supportive and intellectually vibrant community.

Environmental Sustainability

At the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do. We aim to bring environmental sustainability into all aspects of the University, including teaching, research and operational activities. In line with the University's strategic framework, we expect all our staff to embed sustainability into their working practices and support the University's objective to reach net zero carbon by 2050.

Unlock your potential and apply today.

How to apply

Applications for this position are now closed.

Job details

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

Experience

Skills, knowledge and abilities

Business requirements

Desirable Criteria

Experience

Skills, knowledge and abilities

Visa Sponsorship Eligibility

Equity, diversity and inclusion

Environmental Sustainability

How to apply

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