Engagement Officer (maternity cover)

Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE); Rugby; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A professional engineering body is seeking an Engagement Officer to enhance student and early career member interactions. This role focuses on program development and building relationships within the engineering community. The successful candidate will have experience in member engagement and program delivery, contributing to a dynamic and inclusive professional culture. Full-time, fixed-term position in Rugby with a salary of £31,000-35,000 plus benefits.

Benefits

Annual performance reviews

Training and development opportunities

Company contributory pension scheme

Life assurance

28 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Paid sickness leave after 6 months

Employee Assistance Programme

Health cash plan

Financial support for professional memberships

Free parking and refreshments

Qualifications

• Experience in program delivery and member engagement.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups.

Responsibilities

• Develop opportunities for student engagement.
• Evaluate and deliver inclusive activities.
• Cultivate relationships with educational institutions.

Job description

Position

The Engagement Officer plays a key role in shaping the future of chemical engineering by coordinating a vibrant, inclusive programme of activities and opportunities that connect student members with IChemE and the wider engineering community.

This role is about building lasting relationships, sparking curiosity, and empowering the next generation of engineers to see IChemE as their professional home of choice.

Through creative engagement strategies and thoughtful collaboration, the postholder will ensure that student members experience meaningful, relevant, and inspiring interactions with the Institution. By fostering a sense of belonging, purpose, and pride, the Engagement Officer will drive member retention, loyalty, and advocacy — transforming passive membership into active participation and lifelong commitment.

Core Responsibilities

• Further develop opportunities for our global base of student and early career IChemE members to interact with other members of IChemE across industry sectors with the aim of supporting them to develop key skills and better understand chemical engineering career possibilities.
• Support the delivery and evaluation of inclusive and engaging activities (such as the Young Engineering Awards for Innovation and Sustainability (YEAIS) and the student ambassador programme) to ensure that student members see the IChemE as a relevant and important professional body that they wish to remain a member of post-graduation.
• Work with teams across the IChemE to ensure that the programmes are promoted effectively and equitably to key audiences to ensure the broadest possible reach and impact of the programme, including underserved audiences.
• Provide Secretariat responsibilities to HCEUK and development of relationships with all heads of chemical engineering faculties to support student opportunities.

What Success Looks Like

• Delivery of a high-quality, inclusive programme of activities for student and early career members that are well-attended, positively received, and reflect IChemE’s commitment to inclusion, relevance, and ambition — measured through participant feedback, reach, and engagement metrics.
• Increase engagement by facilitating meaningful interactions between student and early career members with employers and professionals across industry sectors, resulting in increased awareness of career pathways, development of key skills, and stronger affiliation with IChemE — evidenced by post-event surveys and follow-up engagement.
• Effective stakeholder collaboration across IChemE teams and academic institutions to ensure programmes are equitably promoted and accessible to a broad and diverse student and potential member audience, including underserved groups — demonstrated by growth in participation, geographic reach, and diversity of attendees.

About Us

At IChemE (Institution of Chemical Engineers), we are more than a professional body — we are a powerful, global movement of over 32,000 chemical, biochemical and process engineers who are solving some of the world’s biggest challenges. From climate change and clean energy to food security and health, our members lead the way in creating a safer, more sustainable world. We champion excellence, ethics and innovation. Through our professional standards, qualified members are entitled to use the titles Chartered Chemical Engineer and Professional Process Safety Engineer. With a bold new strategy, fresh leadership, and an ambitious agenda for growth, inclusion and influence, this is a truly exciting time to join IChemE. Be part of a team that’s raising the bar, growing its global voice, and engineering a sustainable world.

Other information

This is a full-time, 12-month fixed-term opportunity for maternity cover (37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday), based at our IChemE offices in Rugby. You’ll enjoy a varied role with the chance to travel and attend key events across the UK, working at the heart of a vibrant professional community. As an international organisation, IChemE’s activities span multiple time zones and cultural contexts. You must be willing to travel and participate in events outside standard working hours, and liaise with global colleagues to meet strategic goals.

Starting salary will be £31,000-35,000 per annum (depending on experience) plus benefits which includes an excellent pension scheme.

To apply, please provide a CV and a cover letter expressing your interest in the position, how your experience relates to the role, and why you are a strong candidate. Applications sent without a cover letter will not be reviewed. Only candidates eligible to work in the UK will be considered.

Closing date for all applications is close of business 10 October 2025. Interviews are likely to take place w/c 13 October 2025. IChemE reserves the right to interview exceptional candidates and make an offer of employment before the closing date should we wish.

IChemE Benefits

• Annual performance reviews
• Training and development opportunities
• Company contributory pension scheme that matches employee contributions by 1.5 times up to a maximum capped 12% employer contribution
• Life assurance linked to being an active member of the pension scheme
• 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) for full time members of staff
• Company paid sickness leave after 6 months employment and increased at intervals based on length of service
• Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support
• Health cash plan (cash back on optical, dental, physio and more)
• Financial support to help cover the cost of professional membership subscriptions if relevant to your role
• Free parking and refreshments at our Rugby Office