Job Description
University and College Union have a new opportunity for a Regional Official, to lead their team in the South West region.
Salary: £72,414.00 per annum
Hours: 35 per week
Contract: Permanent and full time
Location: Exeter, EX4 4EP
Closing Date: Thursday 8 January 2026 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 The Role:
The Bargaining & Representation department at UCU is seeking a Regional Official to lead our South West regional team. In this exciting role, based in our Exeter office and reporting to the Head of Bargaining & Representation, your main duties will include:
- To be responsible for the effective implementation of national and regional strategic planning in the region
- To be responsible for the allocation of duties to nominated regional support official(s) and other regional office staff
- To be responsible for securing and maintaining recognition of UCU in the region
- To be responsible for the oversight of effective implementation of national agreements, national benchmarks, and other nationally agreed bargaining objectives at branch level
- To conduct and support negotiations with employing institutions in accordance with nationally, regionally, and locally agreed bargaining objectives
- To initiate negotiations in institutions where procedures and agreements are not in place
Regional Official You:
- The post would suit someone with experience of a similar working environment and/or understanding of working for a trade union or other not-for-profit organisation
- You will need knowledge of the post-compulsory education sector, sound working knowledge and understanding of employment law, and experience of collective bargaining and trade union organising
- With excellent interpersonal skills, you will be able to represent members and to travel within the region
Benefits of working for the University and College Union:
- Generous holiday entitlement of 35 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, and 8 closure days with a pro-rata entitlement for part time staff
- Disability leave arrangements
- Special leave arrangements
- A range of family friendly policies and procedures with enhanced Maternity, Adoption, Paternity and Shared Parental Leave schemes
- An Employee Assistance Programme that provides access to 24-hour confidential counselling
- Access to advice and face-to-face intervention from a Senior Chartered Physiotherapist through the award-winning Physiotherapy Advice Line service
- Healthcare Assessment
- Flexitime scheme available by agreement where employees can vary their start and finish times or lunch breaks within the set parameters of the Work Life Balance policy
- All employees are contractually enrolled into the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) where currently the employee contribution is approximately 6.1% of salary and the employer contribution is approximately 14.5% of salary
- We will pay 50% of the net cost of childcare provision for children. The scheme is currently available to employees up to and including Grade G
- Interest free season ticket loans to cover the cost of a second-class season ticket between home and the office
- UCU will assist with the cost of an eyesight test and the purchase of a basic pair of glasses, where these are required for DSE use
- Training and developmental support
- Access to over 300 eLearning modules through UCU s online Training Room
Application Process
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 invite you to join an online briefing on Wednesday 17 December 2025 at 1pm. If you d like to attend, please make us aware by noon on Tuesday 16 December 2025.
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.
Closing date for applications: Thursday 8 January 2026 at 10 am
Interview date: Wednesday 28 January 2026
To submit your application for this exciting Regional Official opportunity, please click Apply
