Porter/Driver role at The Open University. This position supports the smooth operation of the campus with logistical, manual handling, and customer service duties, including setting up meeting rooms and event spaces, driving duties and moving heavy furniture/goods.
Base pay range
Advert Reference Number: 967
Job Location: Milton Keynes (On-site based at Walton Hall)
Closing Date: 10 September 2025
Weekly Working Hours: 37
Contract Type: Permanent
About the Role
The Porter/Driver role plays a vital role in supporting the smooth operation of the university campus by providing essential logistical, manual handling, and customer service support, including setting up meeting rooms and event spaces, driving duties and moving heavy furniture/goods.
Key Responsibilities
* Setting up, resetting and unsetting meeting rooms and event spaces for meetings, events, conferences, etc. This includes setting up marquees and gazebos.
* Providing a welcoming and helpful presence to staff, students, and visitors
* Delivering goods / print / stationery / equipment on campus and to regional centres / off-site venues
* Collecting and disposing of refuse including, confidential waste paper to recycling containers on site and, on occasions, hazardous waste
* Delivering to and setting up of office furniture around campus and regional centres / off-site locations
* Loading and unloading vehicles, either manually or using a forklift truck (where trained)
* Driving university cars, vans and lorries (up to 3.5 tonne) as required
* Carrying out routine vehicle checks and reporting faults to the Transport and Portering Manager
* Driving vehicles to and from vehicle dealerships for maintenance / repairs
* Adhering to all university policies and procedures, particularly those relating to Health and Safety, COSHH, and Manual Handling
* Being flexible re working hours including working overtime – mornings / events and weekends - sometimes at short notice in order to meet the needs of the business
* Participating in the porter / driver shift rota to allow duties to be carried out during university core hours
* Any similar or related duties required by management
Skills and Experience
* Good standard of general education (e.g. GCSEs or equivalent)
* Full UK Driving Licence (Category B) and a willingness to drive University vehicles including cars, vans and lorries up to 3.5 tonnes
* Good command of English and ability to give clear instructions
* Able to use initiative to solve an issue/query or react appropriately in the case of an emergency.
* The ability to use mobile digital technology such as smart devices (e.g iPhone/iPad)
* Good time management and reliability
* A flexible approach to changing demands of a service
* Ability to work overtime – mornings / events and weekends - sometimes at short notice in order to meet the needs of the business
* A strong understanding of Health and Safety regulations, particularly manual handling techniques
* Excellent physical fitness and ability to assess and undertake strenuous manual handling tasks safely
* Ability to work as part of a team
* Ability to work without direct supervision
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with a diverse range of people
* Trained in lifting and manual handling
* First Aid at Work qualification
* Experience of working in a similar role in a service related field
* Commercial driving experience
Additional requirements
* Flexibility - including a willingness to working overtime when required
* Be able to work different shift patterns (if required) – Shift 1 is current requirement
* Understanding of and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
What you get in return
We have a strong commitment to providing training and development in and beyond your current role. This includes thorough induction into the organisation and regular reviews of your training and development needs.
We also offer a great range of benefits that support our employees and their families for the long term. Staff Benefits include an attractive pension proposition and 30 days holiday per annum pro rata, plus 8 Bank Holidays and 3 extra Christmas closure days.
How to apply
If you are interested in applying for this position, please click the 'Apply' link above where you will be directed to our Careers webpage.
We may close this job advert earlier than the published closing date where a satisfactory number of applications are received. We would therefore encourage early applications.
The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength. We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.
Seniority level
* Entry level
Employment type
* Full-time
Job function
* Other
Industries
* Higher Education
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