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.
Careers and Employability Service
The Careers and Employment Service support 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 encourage 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
In this role you will develop innovative ways to connect students and graduates with opportunities and high‑skilled employment, using Careers Registration and Graduate Outcomes data to identify trends and initiatives. You’ll build strong relationships with graduates, employers, alumni, and internal partners, coordinating impactful employability programmes and a diverse calendar of careers events. You will gather and analyse sensitive data and feedback to inform improvements, while acting as the first point of contact for employers and external organisations. Working collaboratively across the University, you’ll promote graduate opportunities, support engagement projects, contribute to recruitment activities, and help foster a positive performance culture. The role also involves ensuring Health and Safety compliance and undertaking additional duties that enhance the overall student and graduate experience.
Working collaboratively across the University, you’ll promote graduate opportunities, support engagement projects, contribute to recruitment activities, and help foster a positive performance culture. The role also involves ensuring Health and Safety compliance and undertaking additional duties that enhance the overall student and graduate experience.
This position is offered on a fixed-term basis to cover a period of maternity leave for 9 months. There may be the potential for the contract to be extended beyond this date, however this cannot be guaranteed.
Anticipated interview date: 7th May 2026
About You
The ideal candidate is a proactive and self-directed with experience in planning and delivering employability engagement events and activities and supporting complex projects under strict deadlines. You will possess the ability to promote the Careers and Employment service across diverse networks, leveraging digital marketing and social media to maximise reach, while maintaining a strong understanding of careers advice and guidance.
A methodical organiser with a keen eye for detail, the ideal candidate will be skilled at compiling performance reports and delivering impactful presentations to key stakeholders. Your excellent interpersonal and communication skills allow you to collaborate effectively with both internal and external partners at all levels. Flexible and solution-oriented, you bring a professional approach to problem-solving and the ability to work independently to achieve results.
Benefits
Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)Local Government Pension SchemeSuite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance ProgrammeAccess to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailerDiscounted onsite gymCycle to Work schemeA flexible working environmentA 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 j.measures@derby.ac.uk
For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk
Important Information
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.
Please visit our website for more information.
The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.
Please find our Safeguarding pages including our Safeguarding Policy here.
