​Future Talent Graduate Scheme 2023

Are you are University of Derby graduate wondering what’s next for you? Dreaming of a high-flying career, but also have your heart set on enriching the local community right here in Derby? Why not join a graduate scheme that offers you the best of both worlds.

At the University of Derby, we want to inspire our next generation of leaders - and that’s where our Future Talent Graduate Scheme comes in. Joining the scheme as an Associate will give you the opportunity to gain valuable professional experience and qualifications, without leaving Derby and the institution you already know so well.

Whether it’s IT, Marketing, HR, Finance, Careers & Employability or Registry - whichever professional function you join us in, you’ll spend two years getting stuck-in to practical projects during four six-month placements. The first placement is fixed but once we get to know you, your skillset and what drives you, we can see how best to support you to develop your skills further - and together we’ll decide what comes next. Once you’ve completed the two year programme, you’ll have the opportunity to apply for a permanent role at the University. 

The aim of our professional functions is to deliver a vibrant, immersive and high-quality experience for our students by working as efficiently and effectively as possible. During the Future Talent programme, you’ll gain valuable insight into how the University operates while building important skills for your future. 

Rotating across different parts of whichever function you join, you’ll build a broad understanding of how everything works - enabling you to take on more responsibility as the scheme develops. The programme will also enhance your critical skills and inspire your creativity, leadership and strategic thinking - so you can achieve your aspirations and take that first step in your professional career.

The programme will begin in September 2023. Applications close on 5th March 2023.

Principal Accountabilities

You will apply to join us as an Associate in any of these departments:

IT (Digital Solutions & Services)  

Join the team that connects and powers the University.

Careers & Employability   

Play an instrumental role in creating successful careers for our students and enrich the local community with home-grown talent.

Registry (Academic & Student Services) 

Be part of the time that makes it happen - from enrolment through to graduation, our Registry team is the beating heart of the University.

Marketing & Communications (External Relations)  

Join us, and you could be part of the team that represents the University of Derby to the outside world - from creating messaging, content for our website and social media, to overseeing the positive use of our brand and managing events, it’s a great place to be.

HR (People Experience & Culture)   

Our HR specialists shape our culture and make the University a great place to work – come and join us.

Finance   

Our continued success depends on sound financial management and growth – come and join our team of expert advisors. 

Please download the 'Further Information' document to find out more about each department.

Person Specification

Our Future Talent graduate scheme is only open to those who’ve graduated (2:1 preferred/2:2 considered) from the University of Derby in the last three years/due to graduate in 2023. Ideally, your degree will align with your first and second scheme choice, but we’ll also consider other specialisms on their merits.

What’s even more important is your attitude – we’re looking for open and curious minds, who want to learn and grow with the University. We have huge ambitions for our University and we’re confident we have the talent we need right here to help us achieve them.

In your application, be sure to let us know why you’re interested in working in the area you are applying for.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

• Honours degree or equivalent in selected disciplines
• Applicants must have recently graduated or be due to graduate from the University of Derby only.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Experience of managing projects and tracking and maintaining action plans gained via studies or prior work experience.
• Evidence of taking a leading role of projects/teamwork during studies or prior work experience.
• Able to demonstrate digital competency across a range of technologies, including but not limited to Microsoft Office, SharePoint, and able to take a lead on emerging technologies.
• High level of communication skills, with evidence of collaborating effectively with others to achieve agreed goals.
• Ability to work accurately, dependably and to follow instructions / procedures when required.
• Ability to plan workload in advance and adapt to changing priorities to ensure that end results are effectively achieved, and all targets and deadlines are met
• Ability to understand and apply regulations/rules e.g., GDPR, quality assurance frameworks.
• Ability to retrieve, manage and analyse data, identifying themes and patterns, making pragmatic recommendations for action, where required.
• Ability to clearly present and articulate information verbally, as well as in writing to a range of audiences
• Respectful of confidentiality & internal governance.
• Willing to maintain professional competence through continuous professional development in line with the role.

Additional skills, knowledge & abilities will be added specific to each specific professional functions scheme as required

Business Requirements

• Able to recognise the need and be willing to work outside of normal hours at times as relevant to achieving service delivery, targets, and deadlines.
• Able to recognise the need and be willing to travel and work at any of the University sites as relevant to support staff, attend events, meetings or for presence.

Desirable Criteria

Experience

• Demonstrable experience of delivering against non-study related goals would be advantageous e.g., prior work or volunteering experience.

Benefits

We’ll be offering a salary of £29,476 per annum, a generous holiday entitlement (26 days plus Bank Holidays) and a package of great financial benefits.

You’ll enjoy access to our discount platform, where you can benefit from discounts at hundreds of retailers such as Sainsbury’s, M&S, and John Lewis, make huge savings on days out at attractions such as Alton Towers and receive money off Microsoft packages

Travel on university buses is free, these run frequently between campuses, the city centre and train station. We also run a salary sacrifice Cycle2Work scheme, where staff can get a new bike and safety equipment and save hundreds of pounds.

In addition to these competitive benefits, we’ve designed a development route which will help you flourish and maximise your potential.   

We want to inspire our next generation of leaders, which is why you’ll enjoy top quality management and leadership training and can undertake relevant professional qualifications.

You’ll also have a mentor who’ll be on-hand to guide you through the programme and help with any questions you have along the way.   

Accelerating your development wherever possible, you’ll be exposed to learning opportunities and receive meaningful feedback to support your growth throughout your time on the scheme, supported by our People Experience and Culture team throughout.   

How to Apply

You can apply by submitting an online application. Once you have signed in or registered with us you will be able to begin your application. If you are creating an account for the first time, please ensure you provide an email address that you access regularly as this will be our main means of contacting you regarding your application.