Overview
Recruitment Assistant (0002-26) – 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
In People Experience and Culture, we foster a culture of excellence which positively impacts the student experience and supports the University’s growth and success. We focus on the wellbeing of our colleagues, and support our leaders to create engaged, goal-aligned teams that power our organisation and community.
We bring a future-focussed approach to people and skills challenges, using data-led insights to partner our colleges and directorates in securing the right people, at the right time, with the right skills, and right culture that allow us to meet our strategic objectives.
Human Resources
Our Human Resources team consists of:
- Resourcing – The Recruitment Team resource for a variety of vacancies across the University’s portfolio including permanent, fixed term and hourly paid roles, where the individual will be employed directly with the University. We process vacancies from the point of raising Recruitment Request Form on the E-Recruitment system throughout interviewing and to the point of offer.
- HR Operations – The HR Operations Team assist managers, HR Business Partners and employees throughout their employee lifecycle.
- HR Systems – The HR Systems team are responsible for the development and provision of information regarding our workforce. We analyse and present data to help support the organisation with evidence-based decision making.
- Business Partnering and Advisory – we support the delivery of the University’s People Strategy, Strategic Framework, goals and operational plans within their portfolio areas. We provide proactive, strategic and operational HR support with the purpose of aligning the University’s vision and its people by supporting stakeholders to create and implement local plans and strategies.
- Strategy, Reward and Employee Relations – The HR Strategy, Reward and Employee Relations Team develop future-focussed employment strategies and policies that help support good governance and ensure legal compliance, whilst also developing our Employee Value Proposition both within and outside the sector.
About the Role
The University’s Recruitment Team is a highly respected resourcing team, recognised both internally and across the wider Higher Education sector. In 2025, the team was nominated for a UHR Reward, Resourcing and Recruitment Award in recognition of its outstanding work. We are a committed and forward-thinking team, focused on delivering a first-class recruitment service to internal and external customers while continually seeking opportunities to innovate.
We are seeking a fixed-term, part-time Recruitment Assistant to support the recruitment function during a period of maternity cover.
At the University of Derby, you’ll play a key role at the heart of our recruitment operations. As a Recruitment Assistant, you’ll be the first point of contact for candidates and hiring managers, helping to deliver a friendly, professional and high-quality recruitment experience from advert through to appointment.
Working closely with recruiters and HR colleagues, you’ll support high-volume recruitment activity, build strong working relationships and use your initiative to solve problems and keep processes running smoothly. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working with people, thrives in a fast-paced environment and is looking to develop a career in HR, resourcing or recruitment within a values-driven organisation.
This role is 30 hours per week, preferably with the hours split over Monday to Friday due to role requirements, however, we are open to discussing viable alternatives.
This position is offered on a fixed-term basis to cover a period of maternity leave, with the contract due to end in late October 2026. There may be the potential for the contract to be extended beyond this date, however this cannot be guaranteed.
About You
The successful candidate will be educated to A level or equivalent, with GCSEs (or equivalent experience) in Maths and English. They will have experience working in a recruitment, resourcing or customer-focused environment and a proven ability to deliver a professional, accurate and high-quality service.
They will be confident working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, able to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment, and quick to adapt to change and new technology. Strong communication skills, excellent attention to detail and the ability to build effective working relationships are essential.
A proactive and solutions-focused approach is key, along with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. The role would suit someone motivated to develop their skills to build a career in recruitment or HR operations.
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 Helen Richards, Resourcing Manager via h.richards@derby.ac.uk
For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk
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: 23 Feb 2026
Area: Administrative Support
Salary: £26,981 to £28,213 per annum pro rata
(for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £32,445 per annum, pro rata)
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
