Regional Official

University and College Union (UCU); Trafford; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

University and College Union in Manchester is seeking a Regional Official – North West to lead the regional team and drive bargaining activity. You will implement regional plans, manage staff, and coordinate negotiations, reporting to the Head of Bargaining & Representation.

The role is based in our Manchester office. The post requires experience in trade unions or not-for-profit sectors, team leadership, and strong planning capabilities, with a focus on securing regional recognition and

Qualifications

• GCSE level or equivalent including maths and English.
• Experience working in a trade union or not-for-profit.
• Experience managing a team.
• Experience of collective bargaining with employers.
• Experience representing individuals in disciplinary and grievances.
• Experience of trade union organising.
• Ability to plan and organise under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Implement national and regional strategic planning in the region.
• Line manage the regional office staff, including appraisal and development.
• Implement national agreements and bargaining objectives at branch level.
• Conduct and support negotiations with employing institutions.
• Secure and maintain recognition of UCU in the region.

Skills

Team leadership

Negotiation

Stakeholder engagement

Planning and organisation

People management

Education

GCSE level or equivalent (incl maths & English)

Job description

University and College Union have a new opportunity for Regional Official – North West to join the team!

Reference Number: RONW

Salary: £72,414 p.a.

Hours: 35 per week

Contract: Full Time, Permanent

Location: Manchester

Closing Date: Monday 26 October at 10.00 am

About Us

The University and College Union (UCU) represents over 120,000 academics, lecturers, trainers, instructors, researchers, managers, administrators, computer staff, librarians and postgraduates in universities, colleges, prisons, adult education and training organisations across the UK. We also have members in the private sector, for example in private training agencies and language schools, as well as members working on a freelance basis. Students training to teach in post-school education also belong to UCU.

Regional Official – About The Role

UCU is seeking a Regional Official to lead our North West regional team. In this rewarding role, based in our Manchester office and reporting to the Head of Bargaining & Representation, your main duties will include:

• Implementation of national and regional strategic planning in the region
• Line management of the regional office staff, including appraisal and development
• Implementation of national agreements, national benchmarks and other nationally agreed bargaining objectives at branch level
• Conducting and supporting negotiations with employing institutions in accordance with nationally, regionally, and locally agreed bargaining objectives
• Securing and maintaining recognition of UCU in the region

Regional Official – You

• Educated to GCSE level or equivalent (incl. maths & English)
• Experience of a similar working environment and/or understanding of working for a Trade Union or other not-for-profit organisation
• Experience of managing a team of staff
• Experience of collective bargaining with employers
• Experience of representing individuals in disciplinary and grievances cases
• Experience of trade union organising
• Experience of effective planning and organising under pressure

Further information

We welcome applications from any candidate but are particularly keen to receive applications from women and global majority candidates, who are currently underrepresented at this grade in UCU; if this is you and you are interested in the post, we invite you to join an online briefing about the post and what it’s like to work at the union, on Friday 16 September from 1pm which will also be an opportunity to ask the recruiting manager questions. We will need to know whether you wish to attend no later than 12 noon on Thursday 15 October. You do not need to attend the briefing session in order to apply.

Benefits of working for the University and College Union

We offer a number of financial and welfare benefits to support our employees, highlights include:

• Supportive Family Policies: Embrace family life with enhanced Maternity, Adoption, Paternity, and Shared Parental Leave schemes
• Health and Well-being Support: Access to confidential counselling 24/7 through our Employee Assistance Programme; advice and face-to-face intervention from via our Physiotherapy Advice Line; healthcare assessment
• Flexible Working: Take advantage of our Flexitime scheme, allowing you to tailor your work hours within our Work Life Balance policy
• Financial Assistance: Benefit from being enrolled in the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), childcare support, interest-free season ticket loans, and assistance with the cost of eyesight testing and glasses for DSE use
• Training and Development: Elevate your skills with tailored training, developmental support, and access to live and on demand courses available through our online training platform

Note: working arrangements

UCU requires its employees to work from their office/in the field for at least 60% of their working week. They may apply to work from home for the remaining 40% but UCU cannot guarantee that this will be agreed.

Diversity & Inclusion Monitoring

We need your support to make sure our employees come from a variety of backgrounds, so we especially welcome applications from disadvantaged communities.

Equal Opportunities

UCU is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

We are happy to accept applications in alternative formats from applicants who, for reasons of disability, may find it difficult to fill in our standard form. Please see the advert on our website for further details.

Closing date for applications

Monday 26 October 2026 at 10am.

Interview date

Wednesday 25 November 2026