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
Further information about the role and its responsibilities is available via the link below.
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
The University of Cambridge is committed to supporting our staff to thrive both professionally and personally. We aim to support a good work/life balance, whilst retaining the positive aspects of our unique in-person environment and culture. Elements of this role are suitable for hybrid working, where staff can split their time between in-person collaboration and remote working. The frequency of the remote elements of the role can be discussed with the recruiting manager.
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.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Closing date for applications: Midnight, Friday 2nd October 2026
Interviews for the role will be held: Friday 16th October 2026 (subject to change)
Please quote reference AH50914 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
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.
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