Directorate Support Assistant

About the University of Sunderland

The University of Sunderland offers life-changing opportunities for 27,500 students across its campuses in Sunderland, London, Hong Kong, and through global partnerships with learning institutions in 19 countries. We're proud to be a top 50 UK university (Guardian University Guide 2024), with top-quality facilities, inclusive culture, and our vibrant, ever-changing city.

The University of Sunderland is in an exciting phase of its development with a new vision and redefined strategic ambitions designed to take advantage of the ever-changing higher education landscape at home and overseas.

Innovation & Skills is where the University meets the outside business world and it covers an exciting variety of activities: Research Commercialisation: Intellectual property - Patents, Licences and Spin-Off Companies; Knowledge Transfer Partnerships; Research Consultancy; Strategic Projects and Funding: Partnerships – Stakeholder Engagement – Tender Opportunities – Project Submissions ; Commercial Office Space; Events Space and Management and Skills: Apprenticeships & Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

About the role

As a Directorate Support Assistant, you will be based at the City Campus in the centre of Sunderland, you will work closely with the Innovation & Skills Operations Manager. You will provide timely, high-quality customer and solutions focused business support for all aspects of the Innovation & Skills Directorate, as well as providing PA services to the Director, supporting the Service to meet its objectives, targets and outcomes.

Please note this is a fixed-term role until 31/03/2026

What you can bring

The successful candidate will have administrative, financial and organisational competence and the ability to communicate effectively across wide range of internal and external stakeholders via a range of channels. You will also have experience of providing diary management services to senior staff.

What we can offer you

Our University is not just a place of academic excellence, but also a community that embraces inclusivity and support. We value our staff and offer a rewarding package that goes beyond just salary. At the University of Sunderland, we prioritise not only your professional growth but also your happiness and well-being.

• Enjoy a generous annual leave entitlement of 31 days, along with an additional 5 closure days over the Christmas break and 8 Bank Holidays.
• Enrolment into our pension scheme, ensuring your financial security for the future.
• Access to our “My Lifestyle Benefits Platform”, where you can enjoy online discounts at hundreds of retailers every day. Plus, take advantage of exclusive schemes that allow you to purchase a new car, bike, or technology at a discounted rate.
• Your health and well-being are important to us. That's why we provide access to discounted private medical insurance, health cash plans, and guidance on financial well-being.
• Maintaining an active lifestyle is made easy with discounted membership for CitySpace Fitness, our state-of-the-art facility for sports and social activities.

Equality, diversity & inclusion

We strongly believe that an inclusive university, where a diverse range of individuals feel valued and have equal opportunity to get into work and reach their potential, is good for our staff, students, university, and society.

Our work on equality, diversity and inclusivity has never been more important. We believe inclusivity is an essential value at the heart of what we do, and we want all our staff to be part of that journey with us.

Our recent staff survey conducted in 2023 showed that 97% of our staff believed that we were committed to achieving an inclusive university.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 15th June (23.59 GMT).

The Interview date is to be confirmed.

For any informal enquiries please contact, Sarah Redpath. Operations Manager, Innovation & Skills - [email protected]