Work for us

The University and College Union (UCU) is the largest trade union and professional association for lecturers, learning support staff, academic related staff, trainers, researchers and managers working in further & higher education in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Our 120,000 members are employed mainly in colleges, universities and in adult, prison and land-based education. We also have members in the private sector, for example in private training agencies and language schools, as well as members working on a freelance basis. Students training to teach in post-school education also belong to UCU.

Current vacancies

• Head of Campaigns & Communications
• Regional Support Official - West Midlands Region
• Regional Administrator - London HE
• Research Officer (two vacancies)

Head of Campaigns & Communications

About the role

UCU is looking for an exceptional and inspiring individual to lead its Campaigns and Communications Department. As a member of UCU's Senior Management Team, and reporting to its General Secretary, you will be responsible for the delivery of the strategic and operational aims of the department and lead its team of staff, including line-managing the Head of Campaigns and Head of Communications.

The role:

• Leading and overseeing day-to-day operations of the Campaigns and Communications Department
• Developing and managing UCU's campaigns and communications strategies
• Overseeing UCU's public work, in consultation with the General Secretary and Head of Equality & Policy
• Media promotion of the General Secretary and senior officers, including arranging appearances, interviews and articles
• Responsibility for the efficient and effective media relations and news information service
• Developing and maintaining relationships with appropriate media outlets and political contacts in Westminster and beyond

You:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
• Experience/understanding of working for a trade union or similar not-for-profit organisation
• Experience of managing teams of staff
• Knowledge and experience of membership communications and campaign organisation
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels
• Ability and willingness to attend work outside of normal working hours.

Further information We welcome applications from any candidate but are particularly keen to receive applications from women and Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, who are currently underrepresented at this grade in UCU. If this is you and you are interested in the post, we invite you to join an online briefing about the post and what it's like to work at the union on 4 September, at 12 pm to 1 pm, which will also be an opportunity to ask the recruiting manager questions. If you'd like to attend the briefing, please email recruitment@ucu.org.uk no later than 12 noon on 3 September. You do not need to attend the briefing session to apply.

To apply, please download an application pack below or email recruitment@ucu.org.uk quoting job reference HC1:

Application pack: Head of Campaigns & Communications [294kb]

Closing date for applications: 10 September 2025 at 10.00am

Interview date: 2 October 2025

Regional Support Official - West Midlands Region

About the role

We are looking for a Regional Support Official to join our West Midlands team. Reporting to the Regional Official, West Midlands Region, your main duties will be:

• assisting with securing and maintaining recognition of UCU in the designated area
• conducting and supporting negotiations with employing institutions in accordance with nationally and locally agreed bargaining objectives.
• contributing to the organisation and effective delivery of regional training in accordance with the national training programme.
• engaging in and organising regional and local campaigning activities in accordance with national/regional campaigning objectives.
• deputising for the Regional Official as necessary.

The ideal candidate must be educated to GCSE level (inc. maths & English) or equivalent. The post would suit someone with experience of a similar working environment and/or understanding of working for a trade union or other not-for-profit organisation. You will need a good knowledge of the post-compulsory education sector; a working knowledge and understanding of employment law, as well as trade union organising experience. With excellent interpersonal skills, you will be able to advocate on behalf of members and represent individuals in disciplinary and grievance cases. You will be required to travel across the region.

Further information

We especially welcome applications from women and Black, Asian, and minority ethnic candidates, who are underrepresented at this grade in UCU. If this is you and you're interested, please join an online briefing about the role and working at the union on 18 September from 1pm to 2pm. You'll also have the chance to ask questions. If you'd like to attend the briefing, please email recruitment@ucu.org.uk no later than 17 September at 12 noon. You do not need to attend the briefing session to apply.

To apply, please download an application pack below or email recruitment@ucu.org.uk quoting job reference RSO5:

Application pack: Regional Support Official - Birmingham [321kb]

Closing date for applications: 25 September 2025 at 10.00am

Interview date: 14 October 2025

Regional Administrator - London HE

UCU is seeking a Regional Administrator to join the London Higher Education team. In this exciting role, reporting to the Regional Official, London HE, your main duties will be:

• providing administrative support
• taking part in branch survey work
• organising training sessions
• providing administrative support for organising and campaigning activities
• assisting with industrial action ballots and legal assistance applications
• managing the office in the absence of the Regional Official and Regional Support Official
• dealing with correspondence, minuting meetings, and maintaining efficient systems.

You:

• educated to GCSE level or equivalent experience (inc. maths & English).
• experience of a similar working environment and/or understanding of working for a trade union or other not-for-profit organisation.
• understanding and commitment to equality principles and policies.
• administrative experience at senior level
• excellent interpersonal skills
• numerate, with a working knowledge of Microsoft Office.

To apply, please download an application pack below or email recruitment@ucu.org.uk quoting job reference RA2:

Application pack: Regional Administrator - London HE [295kb]

Closing date for applications: 27 August 2025 at 10.00am

Interview date: 10 September 2025

Research Officer (two vacancies)

UCU is seeking two Research Officers to join the team. In this exciting role, reporting to the Head of Equality & Policy, you will undertake research and provide data analysis. Other duties include:

• responsibility for sourcing, analysing, and presenting research data to support UCU strategic objectives
• undertaking research and data analysis to inform and support UCU's bargaining agenda
• designing and managing database resources, including the union's Organising & Bargaining Information System (OBIS)
• providing briefings and ongoing support to OBIS users
• responsibility for data collection procedures from external agencies
• organising and conducting sector-wide Freedom of Information requests to further education and higher education Institutions, and dealing with associated correspondence.

You

You must be educated to GCSE level or equivalent (inc. maths & English). The role would suit someone with experience of a similar working environment and/or understanding of working for a trade union or other not-for-profit organisation. With the ability to undertake quantitative and qualitative data analysis, you will need strong interpersonal skills. Other requirements include:

• high level of numeracy including advanced statistical and analytical skills
• high level of skills management, manipulation, interpretation and presentation of large quantitative data sets
• experience of, and proficiency in the use of the Tableau® digital analytics platform
• knowledge of the Freedom of information Act, general data protection regulations and copyright principles
• experience of negotiating and arranging the collection of sensitive and/or confidential data
• ability and willingness to attend meetings and events outside the normal working week.

Further information

We welcome applications from any candidate but are particularly keen to receive applications from women and Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, who are currently underrepresented at this grade in UCU. If this is you and you are interested in the post, we invite you to join an online briefing about the post and what it's like to work at the union, on 28 August at 1-2 pm, which will also be an opportunity to ask the recruiting manager questions. If you'd like to attend the briefing, please email recruitment@ucu.org.uk no later than 12 noon on 27 August. You do not need to attend the briefing session to apply.

To apply, please download an application pack below or email recruitment@ucu.org.uk quoting job reference RO2:

Application pack: Research Officer [317kb]

Closing date for applications: 3 September 2025 at 10.00am

Interview date: 23 September 2025

Returning your application

Please note that applicants should apply using the application form and CVs will not be considered. Completed application forms must be received by us by 10am on the closing date. Late applications will not be considered. Applications to be emailed to recruitment@ucu.org.uk

We are happy to accept applications in alternative formats from applicants who, for reasons of disability, may find it difficult to fill in our standard form. Please contact the People and Development Team by e-mail at recruitment@ucu.org.uk or telephone 020 7756 2558 for further details.

Diversity & inclusion monitoring

We need your support to make sure our employees come from a variety of backgrounds, so we especially welcome applications from disadvantaged communities. Even if you are not selected, it would be really helpful if you could complete the diversity & inclusion data when you apply for this role, because we can make sure we are encouraging a diverse mixture of candidates to apply. Thank you very much.

Equal opportunities

UCU is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

Benefits of working for the University and College Union

Benefits to support your well-being:

• generous holiday entitlement of 35 days' annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, and 8 closure days with a pro-rata entitlement for part time staff
• disability leave arrangements
• special leave arrangements
• a range of family friendly policies and procedures with enhanced maternity, adoption, paternity and shared parental leave schemes
• an Employee Assistance Programme that provides access to 24-hour confidential counselling
• access to advice and face-to-face intervention from a senior chartered physiotherapist through the award-winning Physiotherapy Advice Line service
• flexitime scheme available by agreement where employees can vary their start and finish times or lunch breaks within the set parameters of the work-life balance policy.

Benefits to support you financially:

• all employees are contractually enrolled into the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) where currently the employee contribution is approximately 6.1% of salary and the employer contribution is approximately 14.5% of salary
• we will pay 50% of the net cost of childcare provision for children. The scheme is currently available to employees up to and including Grade G
• interest free season ticket loans to cover the cost of a second-class season ticket between home and the office
• UCU will assist with the cost of an eyesight test and the purchase of a basic pair of glasses, where these are required for DSE use.

Benefits to support your training and development:

• training and developmental support
• access to over 300 eLearning modules through UCU's online training room.