Job Description
University and College Union have a new opportunity for Head of Campaigns to join the team.
Reference Number: HOC1
Salary: £72,414p.a (inclusive of London Allowance)
Hours: 35 per week
Contract: Permanent, Full Time
Location: Carlow Street, London, NW1 7LH
Closing Date: Monday 2 February 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.
Head of Campaigns - The Role:
UCU is looking for an exceptional and inspiring individual to lead its campaigns team. This is a key post for an experienced and ambitious individual to lead the team and maximise exposure for the union s work. You will have an important role in managing a small team to ensure strategic and operational aims and objectives are met.
Head of Campaigns Key Responsibilities:
- To be responsible for the management and implementation of UCU s campaigns strategy
- To be responsible for the line management of the union s campaigns team, in accordance with UCU s employment policies and procedures
- To develop and promote national UCU campaigns
- To maintain awareness and knowledge of current issues and political trends in post compulsory education
- To supervise and support the production and distribution of national, regional, and local campaign material, working with other teams and departments as appropriate
Head of Campaigns You:
- Experience of a similar working environment and/or understanding of working for a trade union or other not-for-profit organisations
- Experience of managing staff team
- Knowledge of current issues and political trends in post-16 education
- Experience of developing and implementing effective campaigning strategies
- Understanding of the use of publicity materials in supporting campaigning, organising, and recruitment campaigns
Benefits of working for the University and College Union
- 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 over 300 eLearning modules available through our online Training Room
Further information
We welcome applications from any candidate but are particularly keen to receive applications from women and global majority candidates; if this is you, we invite you to join an online briefing, on 27 January from 1-2pm.
Application Process:
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%.
We need your support to make sure our employees come from a variety of backgrounds, so we especially welcome applications from disadvantaged communities. Even if you are not selected, it would be really helpful if you could complete the diversity & inclusion data when you apply for this role, because we can make sure we are encouraging a diverse mixture of candidates to apply.
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.
Closing date for applications: Monday 2 February at 10 am.
Interview date: Friday 27 February 2026
To submit your application for this exciting Head of Campaigns opportunity, please click Apply now!
