At a Glance
- Tasks: Support 1,500+ students in developing entrepreneurial skills and ventures.
- Company: Join Arden University, a multi-award-winning institution focused on innovation and digital education.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days holiday, a generous pension plan, and free courses for you and your family.
- Other info: This role offers hybrid working with travel to various campuses across the UK.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on aspiring entrepreneurs while growing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in start-ups or enterprise education and a relevant degree are essential.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 35000 £ per year.
Overview
Join to apply for the Programme Officer - Arden Enterprise Incubator role at Arden University.
Department: Academic Office
This role operates on a hybrid working arrangement that will require 3 days travel a week into our campuses. This may fluctuate in line with business requirements. Our working model arrangements are a non-contractual benefit so please note that an Arden work location is added to our employment contracts.
Travel will be required into the following locations:
- Coventry head office
- Birmingham campus
- Leeds campus
- Nottingham campus
- Manchester campus
- London area (Ealing, Holborn & Stratford)
About Arden University
We are an aspirational and multi-award-winning university, delivering rapid growth with ambitious plans to disrupt the HE sector through our passion for innovation and digital education. Our vision is to become the first-choice university for career-focused lifelong learners worldwide, ensuring that everyone, everywhere can access higher education.
There has never been a more exciting time to join Arden University, as we expand into new disciplines, forge worldwide partnerships, and expand our locations.
About the Opportunity
Arden University is looking for an Incubator Programme Officer to join our fast-growing Arden Enterprise Incubator (AEI).
This is a hands-on role where you’ll support 1,500+ students to develop entrepreneurial skills, build ventures, and gain real-world experience. You will coach student founders and support development of their ventures, deliver workshops and events, and create digital content that brings our enterprise community to life.
What you’ll be doing
- Coaching students 1:1 and in small groups on business ideas, pitching, validation and growth
- Helping deliver AEI events, boot-camps, workshops, and our big London AEI Showcase Event
- Creating newsletters, spotlights, blogs and digital content to celebrate student ventures
- Supporting reporting and dashboards to track engagement and impact
- Building strong connections with mentors, staff and external partners
This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in scaling a high-profile, high impact, fast growing university incubator. You will work with inspiring student founders across multiple sectors and multiple ideas, shape events, communications and programme delivery in a fast-moving environment, and enjoy professional development and growth in enterprise education.
About You
You will need to have:
- Experience in start-ups, enterprise education, incubators, or early-stage business support
- A good degree in a relevant field (e.g. Business, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Marketing, Education, or similar)
- Strong communication, empathy and organisational skills
- Confidence using digital tools (MS365, Teams, Canva, SharePoint etc.)
- A real enthusiasm for working with students from diverse backgrounds and helping them succeed
- Mentoring / Facilitation experience and knowledge of the UK start-up ecosystem, or familiarity with higher education environments, is highly desirable
Why Arden
At Arden, you will become a part of a passionate and dedicated team who are committed to removing unnecessary barriers to learning and making education more accessible. Our people work hard to ensure our students journeys are the best they can possibly be, and we offer a range of benefits. Employees benefit from:
- 30 days holiday + bank holidays on-top, and a Christmas closure
- A generous Aviva pension plan, company contributions starting from 7%
- SimplyHealth plan option
- Access to Perkbox benefits
- Study any Arden course for free, with a discount for all family and friends
- Plus, other excellent benefits
- Our “Golden Ticket” which allows you to gift anyone in your life a free Arden education
Our Values
Stand out, Progressive, Accessible, Resourceful, Kindness, reflect who we are as an institution, a team and as individuals. If they also reflect you and you are excited by the chance to be the driving, creative force within a growing business, we want to hear from you.
Closing Date: Sunday 21st September
We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the specified closing date should we receive sufficient applications or in order to respond to business needs. In order to avoid missing an opportunity to apply please submit your application as early as possible.
If you are a current Arden student or have an upcoming course with us, you are not eligible to apply for Student Experience roles due to a conflict of interest related to system access.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Arden University is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability, as defined by the Disability Equality Act 2010, you may be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role. You may indicate via the application form below. By doing so, you are also consenting for this information to be shared with the hiring team. For more details on what qualifies as a disability under the Disability Equality Act 2010, please refer to the guidance here.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We never discriminate based on age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances, and welcome applications from all groups.
Sponsorship statement: Some roles may not meet the points requirement for a sponsored Skilled Worker visa under the points-based immigration system. We welcome applications from candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK but may be eligible for a visa through an alternative route.
Seniority level
- Not Applicable
Employment type
- Other
Job function
- Other
- Industries: Higher Education
Note: This description has been refined for formatting consistency and clarity. It preserves the original content and context.
Programme Officer - Arden Enterprise Incubator in Birmingham employer: Arden University
Arden University is an innovative and rapidly growing institution that prioritises accessibility and student success, making it an excellent employer for those passionate about entrepreneurship and education. With a supportive work culture, generous benefits including 30 days of holiday, a robust pension plan, and opportunities for professional development, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact while advancing their careers in a dynamic environment. The hybrid working model and diverse campus locations across the UK further enhance the appeal of joining our dedicated team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Officer - Arden Enterprise Incubator in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the start-up ecosystem and entrepreneurial landscape in the UK. Understanding the challenges and opportunities faced by new businesses will help you connect better with the students you'll be coaching.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the enterprise education sector. Attend relevant workshops, seminars, or networking events to build relationships that could benefit your role and the students you support.
✨Tip Number 3
Get comfortable with digital tools like MS365, Teams, and Canva. Being proficient in these platforms will not only enhance your productivity but also enable you to create engaging content for the students and the incubator's community.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your passion for helping students succeed. During interviews or networking, share specific examples of how you've supported others in their entrepreneurial journeys, as this will resonate well with the values of Arden University.
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Officer - Arden Enterprise Incubator in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in start-ups, enterprise education, or incubators. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills in coaching, mentoring, and supporting business ventures.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for entrepreneurship and your enthusiasm for working with students. Mention how your background aligns with the role and how you can contribute to the Arden Enterprise Incubator.
Highlight Relevant Skills:Emphasise your strong communication, organisational skills, and confidence using digital tools. Provide examples of how you've successfully used these skills in previous roles or projects.
Showcase Your Understanding of the Role:In your application, demonstrate your understanding of the responsibilities of the Programme Officer role. Discuss your familiarity with the UK start-up ecosystem and how you can support student entrepreneurs effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Arden University
✨Show Your Passion for Entrepreneurship
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for start-ups and entrepreneurship during the interview. Share any personal experiences or projects that demonstrate your commitment to helping others succeed in their ventures.
✨Highlight Relevant Experience
Discuss your previous experience in enterprise education, incubators, or early-stage business support. Be specific about your roles and how they relate to the responsibilities of the Programme Officer position.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
Since this role involves coaching students and delivering workshops, it's crucial to showcase your communication skills. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated complex ideas or facilitated group discussions in the past.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Digital Tools
As the job requires confidence using digital tools like MS365, Teams, and Canva, be ready to discuss your proficiency with these platforms. Consider mentioning any relevant projects where you utilised these tools to enhance your work.
