GBP 7851 Developing Business-Aware Academics Project Support Officer

Job Summary

Led by the University’s Business School, the Developing Business-Aware Academics project is a partnership with the Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS) and other business schools across the country. It will pilot and evaluate a range of initiatives aimed at helping doctoral and early-career researchers to develop the business awareness and competencies that improve innovation, knowledge exchange and mobility across academia and industry. This is a four-year project running from July 2023 to June 2027.   

The Project Support Officer for the Developing Business-Aware Academics Project is a superb opportunity to experience all elements of project work from organising events and liaising with stakeholders, to finance and travel logistics. You will be line-managed by the Senior Project Manager and will work closely with other members of the team. The Professional Services project team have an office base in the University’s Business School but are line-managed out of the Exeter Innovation Directorate.

This role is part of the Graduate Business Partnership (GBP) scheme and is full time (36.5 hours per week) from September 2025 to June 2027. This role offers hybrid working where you will work remote and from Streatham Campus, Exeter. 

Key Dates

Closing Date: 31/8/2025

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Start Date: September 2025

End Date: 30/6/2027

Salary: £26,257 per annum

Purpose of the Role

You will provide efficient and effective day-to-day administrative, events, communication and financial support to the project and all team members. You will be expected to understand and follow the values, purpose and objectives of the project, and to ensure that these are reflected in the delivery of an excellent administrative service. We are looking for a commitment to achieving consistently high standards of administration, successful and creative events, project support and customer service. You will need to be comfortable working proactively with an evolving and exploratory project supporting multiple external partners. 

This is a full-time, fixed term post until 30 June 2027. It is based in Exeter on our Streatham campus with hybrid working from home, and some UK travel may be required. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

1. Act as a central information point for the team; collating, updating, coordinating, managing, and promoting relevant information through a variety of media including SharePoint, our CRM system, web pages and ensuring the highest standards of consistent document and data management. 
2. Be trained to support the dissemination of internal and externally-focused communications through a range of platforms, including social media and our project web pages, ensuring that messages are appropriate for the target audience, and that opportunities to communicate with our stakeholders are maximised. 
3. Support the design and delivery of innovative events including webinars, workshops, networking events and conferences to support the project’s programme of activities. 
4. Act as a first point of contact for internal and external stakeholders and general enquiries, providing friendly, professional specialist advice and guidance on relevant matters. Managing the team inbox and cascading key information across the full project team. 
5. Support our financial processes, utilising our university systems (T1), and support compliance with procurement processes, processing payments to project partners and organising travel logistics for the project team. 
6. Support the Project Officer in ensuring the consistent and correct application of processes, procedures, systems, and codes of practice. Assisting with the resolution of problems to ensure compliance with internal and external regulation. 
7. Service meetings and committees by providing agendas, minutes, papers, as well as managing logistical arrangements. 
8. Collate, monitor, analyse and interpret data and qualitative evidence providing written recommendations and summaries to stakeholders. Proactively identify issues and undertake corrective actions as required. 
9. Provide written input into standard and one-off communications and ensure such resources are available to stakeholders as required. 

Training and Development - What Skills and Experience will this Opportunity Provide?

• You will gain valuable experience working on a project that will allow you to develop your knowledge of the Higher Education sector. 
• You will gain experience of all elements of project work from supporting events and liaising with stakeholders, to communications, finance and travel logistics.
• You will further develop your administration skills to an advanced level. 
• You will develop your communication skills and improve your ability to adapt to working with different people across a range of areas. 

You will be asked to complete the university’s mandatory online training in: 

• Prevent Duty - Inclusive, Cohesive and Safe Universities 
• Equality and Diversity Introduction 
• Health and Safety Introduction 
• Information Governance

Support Available

• Regular meetings with the line manager
• On the job training/shadowing
• The university offers extensive support to staff, including a structured Professional Development Review and Wellbeing Service plus 1:1 support from the Internships Team

The Benefits

You will have access to a wide range of benefits, rewards and recognition from the University including: 

• Flexible/hybrid working
• Generous pension 
• A holiday allowance of 39 days per year 
• Totum Card (student discount) 
• Salary Exchange Schemes such as the Cycle to Work Scheme 
• Discounted membership to the university's sports facilities including cricket centre, indoor/outdoor pools, squash courts and fitness centre’s. 
• The university offers extensive support to staff, including a structured Professional Development Review and Wellbeing Service plus 1:1 support from the Internships Team. 
• All Graduates are offered a ‘how to make the most of your internship’ guide.
• You will have access to the university’s Career Mentor Scheme and career consultancy opportunities.
• You will have access to the university’s extensive suite of online training which includes Excel, presentation skills, and negotiation skills.
• You will be invited to quarterly networking and professional development events through ‘The Graduate Network’.

About You (Person Specification)

Degree and Attainment

• An undergraduate degree from a UK university within the last 3 years

Skills

Essential

• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Event organisation skills.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and stakeholder management.
• Ability to research, digest, analyse and present material clearly and concisely.
• A methodological approach with an aptitude for accuracy, numeracy and attention to detail.

Desirable 

• A knowledge of the HE system and/or innovation and research policy.
• Confidence in dealing with a very wide range of people both internal and external to the university.

Personal Qualities and Attributes

• A proactive, enthusiastic ‘can-do’ attitude and happy to act on your own initiative to see tasks through to completion.
• Motivated to work effectively as part of a team, and dedicated to delivering project objectives.
• Honest and reliable with a commitment to confidentiality and delivering work with integrity.
• Enthusiastic, conscientious and committed to presenting a professional image of the University, and the Project, at all times.
• A willingness to travel to partner organisations or support events within the UK at select opportunities
• Ability to work from the Streatham campus on select days and some days from home

Prior Experience 

Essential

• Experience in working independently, under pressure and delivering a mixed portfolio of work to deadline. 
• Experience of working in a team environment to deliver multiple objectives and support project aims, which might be through work experience or your work at university. 
• Experience of adapting to a changing environment and introducing new systems and developing processes 
• Experience of using MS Office, virtual meeting software (Teams, Zoom) and a willingness to learn about a range of systems including databases/platforms. 
• Experience of supporting meetings and of recording accurate notes and action points. 
• Experience of developing and maintaining social media platforms and web pages.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a university, research or complex organisation.
• Experience of running complex events with multiple stakeholders.

You must have valid right-to-work documents with you for verification if appointed, copies are not accepted. See here for a full list of acceptable documents to confirm your right to work in the UK.

About the University Department

The Exeter Innovation Directorate brings a focus to partnerships and collaborative working with external, non-university partners and to drive place-based innovation. It works at the interface between Research and Education and collaborates closely with the Research Support and Global Engagement and Development teams as part of a Professional Services ecosystem. Its key aim is to secure significantly greater income and impact from relationships with partners drawing on the University’s education, research and physical assets. 

Graduate Business Partnership (GBP) Scheme Requirements

• To undertake a graduate role through the GBP scheme, you must have either achieved your degree or be in your final year at any UK-based university. 
• If you are in your final year, your working hours may be reduced to 15 hours per week (for undergraduates) or 6 hours per week (for postgraduates) to ensure you have the capacity to successfully complete your degree. More hours can be completed if your academic agrees and provides written confirmation.
• If you do not pass your degree, the GBP role will end early.
• You must have graduated in the UK within the last 3 years of your most recent degree (we will consider extenuating circumstances of potential applicants that may have prevented them from undertaking a graduate role within 3 years of graduation).
• The University of Exeter is committed to developing an environment which promotes equality of opportunity, values diversity and inclusivity. 
• We are committed to creating an inclusive culture and engage with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark) and LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion)
• Learn about the university’s commitment to the Disability Confident scheme here
• At the time of starting employment, the successful candidate must have permission to work in the UK and evidence must be provided in advance of the appointment.  Examples of suitable evidence can be found here. Candidates should continue to have permission for the duration of the GBP contract. This includes British citizens, individuals with an EU Pre-Settlement or EU-Settlement Status; and those with a Graduate Route Visa.
• All graduates need to reside in the UK whilst undertaking this role.

How to Apply

• Download and complete the attached Internship Application Form. CVs cannot be accepted. Please make sure you have downloaded the latest copy of the Internship Application Form. 
• Guidance and useful tips for completing your application are found on the Internship Application Form.  
• Refer to the job details contained within the advert when writing your personal statement. 
• Use the STAR approach to evidence each requirement in the Person Specification.  
• You should insert the correct reference code on the application form: GBP 7851 
• Please save your Internship Application Form as ‘your name - GBP 7851’   
• The University is a Disability Confident employer and as such this policy applies to recruitment through GBP Scheme. Applicants who identify a disability on the application form will be offered an interview if their application demonstrates they meet the essential criteria. 
• Please also include details of any reasonable adjustments you may need for an interview or to undertake the role.  
• You should explain why you would like to work for the employing organisation and why you think you would be a suitable candidate for this role.  
• Send your completed application (not by OneDrive) to internships@exeter.ac.uk, with the reference code: GBP 7851 in the subject bar of your email, by the closing date. 

Further Guidance and Support

• (Exeter graduates only) You can refer to the My Career Zone Digital resources on application and interview preparation here. 
• (Exeter graduates only) If you need support with your application, you can book an appointment through the Career Zone. 
• Unless stated, interview expenses will not be paid.
• It is recommended that you check your online presence on social media to ensure it represents you well, as some employers may undertake online research of their applicants. 
• If you have any questions, you can email the Internships Team at internships@exeter.ac.uk