Professional Services Support Administrator (Fixed Term) Internal Applicants Only

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

41 days leave

Pension scheme

Relocation assistance

Travel discounts

Childcare options

Job summary

The University of Cambridge invites applications for an interim administrative role to cover absences across the University. Assignments will be short (usually three to six months) and may move between six Schools and central divisions depending on need.

The post is fixed-term with a 12-month initial funding window. The role encompasses managing professional services staff, financial and research grant administration, HR activities, space management, and health and safety oversight.

Qualifications

• Experience in a senior administrative role.
• Experience of managing staff.
• Advanced knowledge of Higher Education Administration involving a critical understanding of relevant theory and/or principles.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Ability and confidence to cope with uncertainty and pressured situations.
• Ability to build relationships and establish credibility.

Responsibilities

• Managing professional services colleagues.
• Financial and research grant administration.
• Managing the administration of HR related activities.
• Managing the use of office space, overseeing and coordinating maintenance and refurbishments.
• Overseeing health and safety in the office.
• Managing administration projects.
• Representing the administrative office at Senior Management Team meetings as needed.

Skills

Staff management

Senior administration

Higher education administration

Job description

The University of Cambridge is recognised globally as a renowned centre for research, education and scholarship. We employ more than 13,000 staff in a range of academic, research and professional services roles, all of whom play a key role in maintaining and enhancing our world leading reputation. Our people are our greatest asset, and it is critical to our continued success that we create the right conditions for our people to thrive at Cambridge.

The Role:

The role holder will be deployed as interim cover for absences wherever required across the University. Assignments will be short (usually three to six months) and may take place across all six Schools and associated central divisions, based on institutional need, the role holder's Department/team will change frequently.

What you'll be doing:

• Managing professional services colleagues
• Financial and research grant administration
• Managing the administration of HR related activities
• Managing the use of office space, overseeing and coordinating maintenance and refurbishments
• Overseeing health and safety in the office
• Managing administration projects
• Representing the administrative office at Senior Management Team meetings as needed

We're looking for someone who has:

• Experience in a senior administrative role
• Experience of managing staff
• Advanced knowledge of Higher Education Administration involving a critical understanding of relevant theory and/or principles
• Excellent organisational skills
• Ability and confidence to cope with uncertainty and pressured situations
• Ability to build relationships and establish credibility

Benefits of working at Cambridge include:

• Competitive rates of pay with automatic service related pay progression and annual cost of living increases;
• Generous annual leave allowance of 41 days paid leave (including bank holidays)
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities;
• Generous maternity, adoption and shared parental leave entitlement and other family friendly schemes (e.g. workplace nurseries and salary exchange schemes for childcare);
• An auto-enrolment pension scheme, with a generous employer contribution;
• Travel benefits and retail discounts at over 2,000 local and national stores;
• Schemes to support with relocation / the provision of accommodation

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 12 months in the first instance.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic disclosure (criminal records check) check and a security check.

Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.

We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part-time working or other flexible working arrangements.

We particularly welcome applications from candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our division.

Closing date for applications: Midnight, Friday 2nd October 2026

Interviews for the role will be held: Friday 16th October 2026 (subject to change)

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.