At a Glance
- Tasks: Enhance communication tech for students and staff across multiple campuses.
- Company: Join Arden University, a forward-thinking institution revolutionising higher education.
- Benefits: 30 days holiday, generous pension, private medical insurance, and free courses.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to accessible education.
- Why this job: Shape the future of digital communication in a dynamic university environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with Microsoft Teams, VoIP, and real-time communication technologies.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Salary: £50,000 - £60,000 per annum
Employment type: Permanent
Hours per week: 37
Reporting into: Head of IT Operations
Department: IT
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.
About our Department
This Unified Communications Engineer role sits within the IT Infrastructure team as part of the wider IT Department. The team is responsible for the design, development and support of the organisation's IT Infrastructure. The wider IT team is made up of around 60 employees with a vast range of skills from Software Development to IT Operations and IT Security. Our IT Department values employee development and we have lots of great examples of employee progression and promotions within the team.
About the Opportunity
As a Unified Communications (UC) Engineer at Arden University, you will play a pivotal role in delivering and enhancing the communication technologies that support our students, academics, and professional services teams across multiple campuses and digital learning environments. You will be responsible for the design, support, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the University's unified communications platforms, including Microsoft Teams, Teams Phone with Azure Session Border Controller (SBC) integration, synchronous video technologies for teaching and learning, and emerging omni‑channel communication services. Working closely with IT and business stakeholders, you will ensure these platforms remain secure, reliable, scalable, and aligned with the University's strategic objectives. The role combines technical expertise with a service‑focused approach, ensuring seamless collaboration, communication, and engagement across the organisation. You will also contribute to the ongoing development of the underlying network infrastructure that supports these critical services, helping to deliver an exceptional digital experience for both colleagues and students. Reporting to the Head of IT Operations, this is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of communications technology within a modern, innovative university committed to flexible and accessible education.
About You
Essential Skills / Experience
- Supporting Microsoft Teams, Teams Phone, Direct Routing, and enterprise voice solutions.
- Administration of Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD).
- Strong knowledge of unified communications technologies, including VoIP, SIP signalling, RTP/SRTP media flows, and real‑time communications.
- Management of PSTN connectivity, dial plans, call routing, number management, and voice service configuration.
- Working with Session Border Controllers (SBCs) and telephony integrations.
- Diagnosing, troubleshooting, and resolving complex voice, video, and real‑time communication issues.
- Incident management, service restoration, problem management, and root‑cause analysis within communications environments.
- Strong understanding of Microsoft Teams architecture, Teams Phone configuration, cloud voice workloads, and connectivity models.
- Interpreting call quality analytics, telemetry, QoS metrics, and service performance data.
- Strong understanding of networking principles relevant to unified communications, including QoS/DSCP, bandwidth management, latency, jitter, packet loss, VLANs, and MOS scoring.
- Knowledge of firewall and NAT behaviour, network path analysis, and port and protocol requirements for real‑time communications.
- Collaboration with network teams to resolve end‑to‑end performance and connectivity issues.
- Working with telecommunications providers, platform vendors, and third‑party partners to resolve complex technical issues.
- Administration and support of conferencing and collaboration platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom.
- PowerShell scripting and automation skills.
Why Arden
At Arden, you will become part of a passionate and dedicated team committed to removing unnecessary barriers to learning and making education more accessible. Employees benefit from:
- 30 days holiday + bank holidays on‑top, and a Christmas closure.
- A generous Aviva pension plan, company contributions starting from 7%.
- BUPA Cash Plan.
- Private Medical Insurance coverage (applies to certain job roles).
- Access to Perkbox benefits.
- Study any Arden course for free, with a discount for all family and friends.
- Additional per‑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. We want to hear from those who share these values and are excited by the chance to be the driving, creative force within a growing business.
Closing Date 16th June (Midnight)
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Arden University is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. This means that 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. If you wish to be considered under this scheme, you can indicate via the application form below and consent 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 ensure that our recruitment and selection processes never discriminate based upon age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances, and actively welcome applications from all groups.
Sponsorship Statement
Please be aware that some roles may not meet the points requirement for a Sponsored Skilled Worker visa, or fulfil the criteria we have for providing sponsorship. However 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.
Unified Communications Engineer employer: Arden University
Arden University is an exceptional employer that prioritises innovation and employee development within a dynamic IT environment. With a strong commitment to accessible education, employees enjoy generous benefits including 30 days of holiday, a robust pension plan, and opportunities for personal growth through free courses. The collaborative and inclusive work culture fosters creativity and progression, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in higher education technology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Unified Communications Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Arden University on LinkedIn or other platforms. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Unified Communications Engineer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical skills. Make sure you can confidently discuss Microsoft Teams, VoIP, and SBCs. We want to see your passion for unified communications shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills during the interview. Be ready to share examples of how you've diagnosed and resolved complex communication issues in the past. We love candidates who can think on their feet!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in being part of our innovative team at Arden University.
We think you need these skills to ace Unified Communications Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Unified Communications Engineer role. Highlight your experience with Microsoft Teams, VoIP, and any relevant technologies that match the job description. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our mission at Arden University. Keep it engaging and make sure to mention specific projects or experiences that relate to the position.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to highlight your technical expertise in your application. Mention your experience with Microsoft 365, Azure AD, and any troubleshooting you've done with unified communications technologies. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their knowledge clearly!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our values right there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arden University
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Microsoft Teams, Teams Phone, and other unified communications technologies. Be ready to discuss your experience with VoIP, SIP signalling, and real-time communications, as these are crucial for the role.
✨Showcase Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to share specific examples of how you've diagnosed and resolved complex communication issues in the past. Highlight your incident management and root-cause analysis skills, as these will demonstrate your ability to handle challenges effectively.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with Arden University's mission and values. Be prepared to explain how your technical expertise aligns with their goal of providing accessible education and enhancing digital learning environments.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the IT Infrastructure team and the future of unified communications at Arden. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company culture is a good fit for you.
