£26,981 to £28,213 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £32,445 per annum)
Onsite
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location.
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.
The External Relations department brings together student recruitment, marketing, PR, social media, profile and reputation management, development and fundraising, alumni relations and stakeholder engagement into one dynamic, expert function. The team is responsible for telling the University’s story in the UK and internationally – shaping how we are seen, understood and experienced by our audiences.
From creating compelling messaging and content across campaigns, digital channels and events, to building influential partnerships and driving sustainable income, External Relations delivers complex, high impact work that is central to the University’s success. Our work supports growth, strengthens trust and reputation, and makes a significant contribution to the University’s long term ambitions.
The Chancellor’s Entrepreneurs’ Club provides an exclusive, high-impact experience for approx. 100 entrepreneurial students each year. Led by the University’s Chancellor, William Cavendish, Earl of Burlington, and supported by Visiting Professor of Entrepreneurship Theo Paphitis and a network of leading entrepreneurs and innovators, the Club offers mentoring, industry challenges, skills workshops and access to high-profile networks. Your contribution will help ensure students, mentors and partners experience a seamless, professional and engaging programme.
We are looking for a highly organised and confident coordinator to support the delivery of the Chancellor’s Entrepreneurs’ Club – one of the University’s most high-profile initiatives developing the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders. Working with colleagues across External Relations and the wider University, you will ensure the smooth running of the Club by managing communications with students and mentors, coordinating workshops and events, maintaining records, and providing excellent day-to-day organisational support.
You will play a key role in creating a seamless, professional experience for the Club’s annual cohort of entrepreneurial students, who work closely with the Chancellor, Visiting Professor Theo Paphitis and a network of leading innovators. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with strong administrative skills, attention to detail and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment within a collaborative, ambitious team committed to supporting the University’s vision to become a sector leader in entrepreneurship, industry engagement and innovation.
The ideal candidate will be a highly organised, proactive and confident coordinator with strong administrative experience, preferably gained in a busy, customer-focused or project-based environment. You will have excellent communication skills and be able to engage professionally with students, mentors, senior leaders, entrepreneurs and external partners. Strong attention to detail, the ability to manage competing deadlines, and comfort juggling multiple tasks at pace are essential.
You will bring experience in event or programme coordination, diary and logistics management, and producing clear, well-structured communications. Familiarity with maintaining databases or records, supporting meetings, and preparing materials or briefings would be highly valuable. A positive, solutions-focused attitude, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to build effective relationships across teams will help you thrive. Above all, you are someone who takes pride in delivering a polished, seamless experience and is motivated by supporting ambitious, entrepreneurial activity.
* Provide high-quality administrative coordination to support the effective planning, delivery and evaluation of the Chancellor’s Entrepreneurs’ Club, ensuring activity runs smoothly and to a professional standard.
* Serve as a friendly, efficient and knowledgeable point of contact for students, mentors, entrepreneurs, alumni, academic colleagues and external partners, dealing with enquiries and ensuring excellent user experience.
* Coordinate programme logistics, including scheduling meetings and Club activities, booking rooms, arranging workshops, managing RSVPs, organising catering, and supporting the delivery of on-campus and online events.
* Manage communications with students and Club mentors, including drafting and sending updates, maintaining mailing lists, preparing briefings, and ensuring participants have the information needed at each stage of the programme.
* Support the delivery of workshops, live briefs and entrepreneurship activities, including preparing materials, liaising with facilitators, coordinating attendance and assisting with setup and delivery on the day.
* Work with internal colleagues to ensure that the Club activities are aligned and integrated with the University’s wider student entrepreneurship and personal development activities.
* Maintain accurate and up-to-date records, including student applications, cohort information, attendance, mentor details, evaluation data and programme documentation.
* Support the development and maintenance of digital content, including webpages, newsletters, student resources, and collaboration with social media or marketing colleagues to showcase activity and impact.
* Assist the Associate Director of External Relations in monitoring progress against key milestones, preparing reports, evaluating feedback and contributing to continuous improvement of the Club.
* Provide administrative and organisational support for meetings, including diary management, preparing agendas, circulating papers, taking minutes and following up on actions.
* Support the coordination of high-profile events, including showcases, guest entrepreneur sessions, fireside conversations, celebration events and stakeholder meetings related to entrepreneurship.
* Build positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring the University is represented professionally and that partners feel engaged and valued.
* Ensure all activity is delivered in line with University policies, including health and safety, safeguarding, and data protection, and contribute to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all participants.
* Carry out duties in a safe and proper manner, complying with the University’s Health & Safety Policy and Equal Opportunities Policy at all times.
Experience
* Demonstrable experience coordinating events, programmes or activities involving multiple stakeholders
* Experience in a customer-facing or stakeholder-facing role, with the ability to build rapport and provide excellent service
* Experience supporting the delivery of workshops, meetings or cohort-based programmes (e.g. mentoring, training, student engagement)
* Experience managing administrative processes such as scheduling, communications, record-keeping and data management
* Experience communicating with varied audiences in an engaging, accessible and professional manner
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
* Demonstrates a strong commitment to delivering an excellent standard of service to students, mentors, entrepreneurs and wider stakeholders
* Evidence of excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with confidence engaging with individuals and groups in person and online
* Strong written communication skills, with the ability to draft clear updates, guidance materials, digital content and event information
* Excellent organisational skills, with strong attention to detail when managing data, coordinating schedules, preparing materials and supporting event logistics
* Evidence of strong IT skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office, video conferencing tools and digital collaboration platforms
* Ability to use digital systems confidently, including maintaining spreadsheets, databases, mailing lists or Customer Relationship Management (CRM)-style records
* Ability to work independently using initiative, as well as collaboratively within a team or across departments
* Ability to manage competing and time-sensitive demands, particularly around events, communications cycles or programme delivery milestones
* A flexible and adaptable approach, responding positively to changing priorities and working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
* A supportive, reliable team player who contributes positively to shared goals and follows through on actions
Business Requirements
* Ability to work outside of normal working hours (including some evenings and weekends), to support the business during key University events, such as Graduation, Clearing and Open Days
* Willingness and flexibility to travel and work between university and external sites in a cost effective and timely manner
Qualifications
* Full driving licence
Skills, knowledge and abilities
* An interest in entrepreneurship, innovation or student development, with the ability to contribute ideas for enhancing the programme and improving the student experience
* Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
* 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
For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Rosie Marshalsay, Associate Director - External Relations via r.marshalsay@derby.ac.uk
For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk .
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 promoting equity, diversity and inclusion, regardless of age, disability, trans status, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex and sexual orientation.
We are Disability Confident Employers, demonstrating our commitment to disability inclusion, and invite applicants to highlight adjustments they may require to ensure equitable participation in our recruitment processes.
Further, we are committed to ensuring an environment which is trans and non-binary-inclusive for all our staff, students, partners, and visitors, and continuously review our policies, guidance and training.
When applying to join the University, you can choose your preferred title, including the gender-neutral title 'Mx'. We also ask our candidates if they would like to share their preferred pronouns.This is voluntary but demonstrates our commitment to inclusivity for trans and non-binary candidates.Once employed, you can add pronouns and preferred names onto our system.
The University of Derby undertakes anonymised shortlisting during the staff recruitment process. This means that, when shortlisting, panel members will not be able to see an applicant’s name and will see an applicant number instead. This demonstrates the practical steps we are taking to remove barriers to recruitment by minimising the possible impact of our unconscious bias.
However you identify, we actively celebrate the knowledge, experience and talents each person brings. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds; therefore we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who will help our leaders and teams be more reflective of our student population.
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.
Be part of something extraordinary, apply now.
How to apply
You can apply by submitting an online application. Once you have signed in or registered with us you will be able to begin your application. If you are creating an account for the first time, please ensure you provide an email address that you access regularly as this will be our main means of contacting you regarding your application.
The University reserves the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
If you require any assistance, including the provision of any documentation in an alternative format, please contact the Recruitment team at recruitment@derby.ac.uk .
Please note all applications must be submitted online by Midnight GMT on the closing date of the vacancy.
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.
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