Placement Officer

At the University of East London (UEL), our mission is to prepare students for the careers of the future while shaping that future inclusively and sustainably. As a careers-first university, we believe education and opportunity should be open to all, and that diversity of people and thought is essential to solving society’s biggest challenges.

Founded in 1898 as the West Ham Technical Institute, UEL has always championed industry-focused education and social mobility, earning the name “The People’s University” for its commitment to widening access to technical and professional learning. While our scale and ambition have grown, our purpose has remained constant: empowering communities, advancing social justice, and equipping students with future‑proof skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Today, UEL continues this legacy through pioneering research, employer‑engaged education, and meaningful community impact. We are tackling health and economic inequalities, promoting sustainability, and helping to build a more inclusive and resilient future.

Guided by our ambitious Vision 2028 strategy, UEL is reshaping education for the benefit of all, empowering students from every background with the skills and opportunities to succeed. Our commitment to excellence is recognised nationally; we are proud to be named University of the Year for Teaching Quality in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025. At UEL, we don’t just teach, we inspire, innovate and empower, shaping the future together.

About the Service - Careers and Student Enterprise (CaSE)

Our Careers and Student Enterprise (CaSE) Service is at the heart of this mission, supporting students to develop the skills, confidence and experiences needed to thrive in the careers of the future.

We are now looking for a proactive and highly organised Placement Officer (PG Placements) to join our dynamic Placement Team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in supporting postgraduate students through their placement journey while ensuring compliance, quality assurance and an excellent student and employer experience.

About the Role

As Placement Officer, you will support the effective administration, compliance and monitoring of postgraduate placements across a large and diverse student cohort. You will work closely with students, employers and internal teams to ensure placements meet university and regulatory requirements, including UKVI compliance.

You will carry out employer due diligence checks, coordinate placement documentation, support reporting and data analysis, and help deliver placement‑related events and communications. The role also involves conducting employer site visits and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders across the university and beyond.

About You

You will be a proactive and organised professional with experience in placements, employability, student administration or compliance within higher education or a similarly fast‑paced environment. You will have excellent communication and relationship‑building skills, with the confidence to work collaboratively with students, employers and colleagues across the University.

We are looking for someone with a genuine can‑do attitude who enjoys working in an environment where no two days are the same and thrives in a dynamic environment, embraces change positively, and enjoys finding practical solutions to support student success.

You will also bring strong organisational and problem‑solving skills, confidence using systems and data, and a commitment to delivering an excellent student and stakeholder experience. A passion for supporting student success, alongside an understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion within a multicultural environment, will be key to succeeding in this role.

What You’ll Need to Thrive

• Experience in placements, employability, student administration or compliance within higher education or a similar environment.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities are essential.
• Adaptability, initiative and the ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining high levels of accuracy and professionalism.
• Confidence communicating with a wide range of stakeholders, comfortable working with data and systems, and able to approach challenges with initiative, professionalism and resilience. Passion for supporting students to succeed.

Why Join UEL?

At UEL, you’ll join a supportive and ambitious community committed to innovation, inclusion and opportunity. We offer a collaborative working environment, excellent professional development opportunities and the chance to make a real impact on students’ futures.

Benefits Package

We offer a genuinely competitive salary, dependent on experience (DOE), and a range of excellent benefits. Salary: £35,453 to £38,827 inclusive of London Weighting.

Building an Inclusive Future

As an inclusive, equal‑opportunities employer, our Stonewall membership and Athena Swan awards reflect our ongoing dedication to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and we’re committed to closing the “diversity pay gap”. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made and honest that there’s more to do. We’re determined to keep moving forward so everyone at UEL can thrive. We’re a disability confident employer and value all applications. Please let us know if you require any reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process.

We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position. Applicants must therefore already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application.

£35,453 to £38,827 inclusive of London Weighting

At UEL we are committed to working together to build a community which values diversity in both our staff and student populations, is representative and inclusive, enabling all to progress and thrive.