About ARU:
ARU is a global university transforming lives through innovative, inclusive and entrepreneurial education and research. ARU holds a Gold award for the quality of its education, awarded through the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).
ARU’s research institutes and four faculties bridge scientific, technical and creative fields. We deliver impactful research which tackles pressing issues and makes a real difference to our communities. Our academic excellence has been recognised by the UK’s Higher Education funding bodies, with 16 of our research areas assessed as world leading. We are the largest provider of Nursing, Midwifery, Health and Social Care students in the East of England, and we are also among the UK’s leading universities for degree apprenticeship provision, working with hundreds of employers across the UK.
About the Role
Based within our Employability Services team, with a work base in either Cambridge or Chelmsford and travel across campuses as required, you will play a vital role in supporting the delivery of high-quality Work-Based Learning (WBL) opportunities that enhance student success and graduate outcomes. As a WBL Coordinator, you will provide essential administrative and operational support to the central WBL team, ensuring the smooth coordination, monitoring and quality assurance of placements, internships and work experience activities across the University.
You will be responsible for delivering a professional, customer-focused service to students, academic colleagues, employers, and internal and external stakeholders. This will include managing enquiries, maintaining accurate records, coordinating compliance processes and supporting the effective administration of placement activity. Working closely with placement providers, you will help ensure employers receive the information and documentation required to facilitate successful student placements, whilst maintaining strong and productive stakeholder relationships. You will also support the maintenance of systems such as InPlace, monitor placement data and contribute to service reporting, helping to ensure accurate information and excellent service delivery.
You will play an important role in promoting Work-Based Learning opportunities by helping to maintain online content, marketing materials and social media communications. In addition, you will contribute to continuous service improvement by identifying efficiencies, responding to stakeholder feedback and applying sector best practice to enhance the student and employer experience. You will also provide flexible support across Employability Services during busy periods and major events.
With a minimum of two A Levels, an NVQ Level 3 qualification or equivalent experience, you will have a strong administrative background and experience delivering excellent customer service. You will be confident managing multiple priorities, working with a range of stakeholders and handling data accurately and efficiently. Experience within higher education, compliance-focused environments or quality assurance processes would be advantageous.
You will possess excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills, along with the ability to analyse information, maintain accurate records and produce reports. You will be proactive, adaptable and committed to delivering high standards of service. Most importantly, you will be passionate about supporting students, helping them access valuable work-based learning opportunities and contributing to their future success.
Informal enquiries can be made to Helen Cann, Head of Student and Graduate Talent, on [email protected].
Interviews scheduled for week commencing 21st September 2026
Find out more about working with us and how we recruit.
We have an agile working culture and offer an extensive range of benefits including generous holiday entitlement, occupational pension schemes, training and development opportunities, travel to work scheme and a competitive relocation package. Visit our benefits page for full details.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare of our staff and students and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants should be aware that ARU will carry out online searches as part of the due diligence on short listed candidates.
We value diversity at ARU and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
We have a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK and will conduct Right to Work checks in line with UKVI’s Right to Work policy and our own institutional policy. Furthermore, we must note:
- Applicants applying from outside the UK: At this time, ARU is unable to sponsor applicants applying from overseas for a Worker Route visa.
- Applicants already in the UK: ARU is unable to offer Worker Route visa sponsorship to applicants whose salary does not meet our minimum sponsorship threshold, which aligns with roles at Grade 6 and above.
Committed to being inclusive and open to discuss flexible working.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy once we have received sufficient applications.
Guidance Notes:
Please download the Job Description Person Specification for key requirements. To apply, demonstrate how your skills and experience meet the criteria.
