Student and Graduate Opportunities Manager
£25,045 to £25,421 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £29,234 per annum)
Hybrid: This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location with the opportunity to work remotely available in line with our Adaptive Working Framework.
This placement role plays a key part in supporting the work of the Student and Graduate Opportunities team, contributing to activities that help students and recent graduates progress successfully into employment, further study, or other meaningful opportunities. Working at the heart of the University’s employability provision, you will gain hands‑on experience across a wide range of functions, from employer engagement and event delivery to data handling and resource creation.
You will collaborate with colleagues across the University’s colleges, professional services and the Students’ Union, helping to ensure that students and graduates can access high‑quality support and a diverse range of opportunities. The role offers an excellent development pathway for someone looking to build skills in administration, communication, digital content creation, project support and relationship management.
Please note, this role is only available to University of Derby second‑year undergraduate students who start their academic year in September. Students who are studying on a Student Visa will NOT be eligible to apply for this post unless a placement year is a mandatory stipulation of the course. This role is a fixed term contract for 10 months.You are a second‑year undergraduate student at the University of Derby, bringing a blend of academic experience, practical skills, and a genuine interest in supporting others. You have experience in customer‑facing roles, as well as working on tasks and projects through your studies, part‑time work, volunteering or extracurricular activities, demonstrating your ability to collaborate, stay organised and meet deadlines.
You are comfortable using your initiative, whether solving problems independently or contributing ideas to improve processes. You have a strong interest in careers and employability, supported by good organisational skills, strong interpersonal abilities and confidence communicating with a wide range of people. Your attention to detail and methodical approach help you produce accurate, high‑quality work, and you are able to assist with presentations, workshops or events when required.
You bring a basic understanding of digital communication tools and social media, a willingness to develop your problem‑solving skills and the flexibility to adapt to changing tasks or priorities. You communicate clearly in both written and verbal formats and are open to supporting research or evaluation activities where appropriate, contributing positively to the wider aims of the team.
Responsibilities
- Supporting relationships with employers and external organisations, helping to coordinate communication, handling the Derby Talent Team Inbox and CareerHub approvals alongside the Graduate Transitions Officer and assisting with the organisation of employability activities.
- Collecting and recording information, including feedback from students, graduates and employers, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality.
- Working with staff across colleges, services and the Students’ Union to support collaborative projects and ensure graduates have access to a range of opportunities.
- Assisting with the creation of employability resources such as digital content, information guides and promotional materials.
- Helping to organise and deliver careers events including preparing materials, coordinating logistics and supporting employer participation.
- Promoting employment opportunities to students and recent graduates through approved communication channels.
- Supporting engagement projects, contributing to work streams and assisting colleagues involved in engagement activities.
- Support recruitment and outreach activities such as open days.
- Contribute positively to the team’s performance culture.
- Follow University Health and Safety requirements.
- Carry out any other duties appropriate to a placement‑level role that support the student experience.
Experience
- Experience in customer services and/or customer‑facing role.
- Experience of working on tasks or projects as part of studies, part‑time work, volunteering or extracurricular activities.
- Experience of meeting deadlines.
- Experience of using initiative in academic or work settings.
Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
- Interest in careers, employability or supporting others.
- Good organisational skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills and confidence communicating with a range of people.
- Attention to detail and a methodical approach.
- Ability to assist with presentations or events.
- Basic understanding of digital communication tools and social media.
- Willingness to learn problem‑solving skills.
- Good written and verbal communication.
- Ability to work flexibly and adapt to changing tasks.
- Willingness to support research, evaluation or impact activities where appropriate.
- An understanding of data protection issues.
- An understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion issues.
- An understanding of the graduate labour market.
- Interest in or experience of working within Higher Education.
- Experience supporting events or promotional activities.
Business requirements
- Willingness to travel between University sites when required.
Benefits & Working Conditions
- 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.
- Flexible working environment.
- A commitment to personal and professional development.
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 and invite applicants to highlight adjustments they may require to ensure equitable participation in our recruitment processes. We also commit to a trans‑ and non‑binary‑inclusive environment, reviewing our policies, guidance and training. Applicants may share preferred pronouns or titles such as ‘Mx’ which is voluntary.
The University of Derby undertakes anonymised shortlisting during the staff recruitment process. When shortlisting, panel members will view an applicant number instead of a name to minimise bias and remove barriers to recruitment. We celebrate the knowledge, experience and talents of each applicant to reflect the diverse student population.
The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of all staff, students and children. Safeguarding is everybody’s concern.
