Graduate Intern - Events and Administration

Derby; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 38 days

Wellbeing benefits

Staff discounts

Onsite gym

Cycle to Work

Flexible working

Professional development

Job summary

The University of Derby is inviting applications for a Graduate Internship in the External Relations Events Team. Based on site, you will help plan and deliver recruitment and stakeholder events such as Open Days, applicant days, and campus activities.

You will gain hands-on experience in event management, administration, and stakeholder engagement. You should be highly organised with strong communication skills and be willing to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends, to

Qualifications

• Experience in a customer service, administrative or event support settings.
• Experience of co-ordinating multiple projects at the same time.

Responsibilities

• Support the Events Operations Manager in planning, coordinating and delivering a programme of recruitment and stakeholder events.
• Support event logistics, materials, signage and delegate lists; manage timelines and budgets.

Skills

Customer service

Administrative tasks

Event support

Project coordination

Microsoft Office

Education

Recent University of Derby graduate

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

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

Onsite
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location.

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.

The External Relations Department is responsible for enhancing the University of Derby's reputation and profile, driving student recruitment and supporting the University's strategic ambitions. Through specialist teams spanning marketing, communications, digital, social media, events and student recruitment, the department delivers impactful campaigns, engaging events and outstanding customer experiences that connect prospective students and stakeholders with the University, both nationally and internationally.

This Graduate Internship provides an opportunity to support the University of Derby in achieving its student recruitment objectives and enhancing the University's profile through the planning, coordination, and delivery of a wide range of high‑quality events. Working as part of the External Relations Events Team, you will contribute to the delivery of recruitment events, including Open Days, Applicant Days, school and college visits, and conversion activities, alongside stakeholder engagement events such as University Court meetings, alumni events, donor engagement activities, and internal University events.

The role offers hands‑on experience in event management and administration, supporting all stages of the event lifecycle from planning and logistics through to on‑the‑day delivery and post‑event activities. You will assist with attendee communications, event coordination, administrative processes, and general office tasks, gaining valuable insight into the day‑to‑day operations of a busy events function while developing key professional skills in a supportive environment.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and organised graduate who is keen to develop a career in events, stakeholder engagement, marketing, communications, or a related field. You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to work with a range of internal and external stakeholders.

You will be highly organised, able to manage multiple tasks and priorities, and have strong attention to detail. A proactive approach, willingness to learn, and ability to work both independently and as part of a team are essential. You should be confident using Microsoft Office applications and be comfortable carrying out a range of administrative and event support activities.

This role would particularly suit someone who enjoys working in a fast‑paced environment, has a positive and customer‑focused attitude, and is keen to gain hands‑on experience supporting the delivery of recruitment, stakeholder, and University events while developing valuable professional skills.

• Support the Events Operations Manager in planning, coordinating, and delivering a comprehensive programme of recruitment and stakeholder events, including Open Days, applicant visit days, conversion events, school and college visits, partner engagement activities, alumni gatherings, and Award Ceremonies.
• Support the team with event logistics, such as preparing materials, signage, and delegate lists for Open Days and other events. Maintain detailed event plans, timelines, and checklists; manage event-related administrative tasks including budget tracking, invoice processing, and supplier communications.
• Coordinate with academic schools, professional services teams, student ambassadors, and external suppliers to ensure seamless event delivery and excellent attendee experience.
• Help set up and pack down event spaces, including room layouts and registration desks.
• Provide on‑the‑day support at events, welcoming attendees, guiding visitors and helping with registration. Assist with sending event communications such as invitations, confirmations and reminders.
• Help maintain event records and attendance data in spreadsheets or CRM systems.
• Provide general administrative support including filing, data entry, diary coordination and responding to routine enquiries.
• Support with basic budget tracking tasks, such as logging invoices or orders under guidance.
• Help gather feedback from attendees after events and support simple write‑ups of outcomes.
• A recent University of Derby Graduate (within the last 3 years)

Experience

• Experience in a customer service, administrative or event support settings
• Experience of co‑ordinating multiple projects at the same time

Skills, knowledge & abilities

• Good organisation skills
• Ability to use Microsoft office proficiently

Business requirements

• Willingness and flexibility to travel and work between University in a cost effective and timely manner
• Ability to work outside of normal working hours (including some evenings and weekends), to support the business during key University events, such as Graduation, Clearing and Open Days

Experience

• Experience of working in events, hospitality or Higher Education
• Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
• 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

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Emma Cropper, Events Operations Manager via [e-mail]

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via [e-mail] .

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.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and is therefore subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Any information you provide will be treated in confidence and only used when considering your suitability for the post.

To enable us to process your DBS check please ensure you are able to supply the documentation listed on the DBS website at interview stage.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The University of Derby is committed to fostering an open, inclusive and diverse community where everyone is treated with dignity, fairness and respect. We are committed to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex or sexual orientation.

As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to inclusive recruitment and welcome requests for adjustments throughout the recruitment process. Applicants may choose their preferred title, including 'Mx', and may share preferred pronouns if they wish. We also use anonymised shortlisting to help reduce the potential impact of unconscious bias. For more information on equity,diversityand inclusion at the University of Derby, pleasevisitour website .

We are also committed to promoting academic freedom and freedom of speech and expression within the law, in line with our Code of Practice , and value diversity of thought alongside diversity of backgrounds and experiences.

However you identify, we welcome applications from people whose experiences, perspectives and talents will contribute to our inclusive, supportive and intellectually vibrant community.

Environmental Sustainability

At the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do. We aim to bring environmental sustainability into all aspects of the University, including teaching, research and operational activities. In line with the University's strategic framework, we expect all our staff to embed sustainability into their working practices and support the University's objective to reach net zero carbon by 2050.

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.