Student and Graduate Opportunities Graduate Placement (0206-26) - Derby, DE22 1GB

Student and Graduate Opportunities Graduate Placement ) - Derby, DE22 1GB

About the University

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes. 

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

About the College/Department

We are right at the heart of the issues and challenges that matter - to our city, our region, to business, industry and our communities and society in general. Investing in our future, partnering with sector-leading businesses to drive innovation and create a collaborative environment where research has real impact and graduate talent can flourish. 

Our Business Engagement and Employability Team focuses on how the University interacts with industry in three key areas: support for our students and graduates to develop and successfully reach their aspirations, linking business to academics and research students to assist with research, knowledge exchange and consultancy, and the provision of skills that are relevant to industry, whether through courses, apprenticeships, CPD or further training.

About the Careers and Employment Service

The Careers and Employment Service supports University of Derby students with reaching their career ambitions. We are dedicated to helping students gain the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to achieve a positive Graduate Outcome through in-curriculum delivery, tailored appointments, digital resources, on-campus events and industry connections. We are available to all students from the first day of their university journey, up to three years post-graduation.

As an Applied University, real-world learning is embedded across all programmes. The Careers and Employment Service encourages and supports students to secure further industry experience from internships and placements to boost their employability and career prospects. We provide guidance to academics on impactful employability activity and curriculum delivery. 

The Team works closely with the wider Business Engagement and Employability Team to create valuable student development and recruitment opportunities with a diverse range of local, national, and global industry partners. 

About the Role

Please note this role is for University of Derby Graduates who graduated in summer 2025 or 2026 only.

This graduate placement opportunity offers a valuable introduction to the world of student employability, careers support, and graduate engagement. Working as part of the Student and Graduate Opportunities team, you will support a range of initiatives designed to help students and recent graduates successfully transition into employment, further study, and other professional opportunities.

The role provides hands-on experience in administration, stakeholder engagement, event coordination, communications, and data management, while working closely with colleagues across the University and external employer partners. You will contribute to building and maintaining relationships with employers and organisations, support communication and recruitment systems such as the Derby Talent Team Inbox and CareerHub, and assist in the planning and delivery of employability activities and careers events.

You will help collect and manage feedback and information from students, graduates, and employers, ensuring records are accurate, confidential, and up to date. The role also involves collaborating with academic colleges, professional services, and the Students’ Union on projects that enhance graduate outcomes and widen access to opportunities.

In addition, you will support the development of employability resources and promotional content, help raise awareness of employment and career opportunities through approved communication channels, and contribute to engagement projects across the wider team. This is an excellent opportunity for an organised, proactive individual who is keen to develop professional skills, gain experience working with a variety of stakeholders, and make a positive impact on the student and graduate experience.

Anticipated interview date:  Friday 4th September 2026

About You

We are looking for a recent University of Derby graduate (graduated summer 2025 or 2026) who is enthusiastic, proactive, and keen to develop their professional skills within a student and graduate employability environment. The ideal candidate will bring experience from customer service or customer-facing roles, demonstrating a commitment to providing a positive and professional experience for a range of stakeholders.

You will have developed transferable skills through your studies, part-time employment, volunteering, extracurricular activities, or project work, and be confident managing tasks and responsibilities both independently and as part of a team. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential, as the role involves building effective relationships with students, graduates, employers, and colleagues across the University.

We are seeking someone who can use their initiative, adapt to changing priorities, and approach challenges with a positive and solutions-focused mindset. This opportunity is ideal for a recent graduate looking to apply their experience in a professional setting while gaining valuable exposure to graduate engagement, employability initiatives, stakeholder liaison, and project support.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• 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
• A flexible working environment
• A commitment to personal and professional development

Key Contact

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Jacqui Measures, Student and Graduate Opportunities Manager via or Oliver Wiles, Graduate Transitions Officer via

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via

Important Information

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Please visit our  website  for more information.

The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.

Please find our Safeguarding pages including our Safeguarding Policy here .

Closing Date: 26 Aug 2026

Area: Administrative Support

Salary: £27,547 to £28,381 per annum
(for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £32,638.15 per annum)