Leadership and Research Coordinator

The University

At Durham University, we are proud of our people, because they are at the heart of our globally outstanding institution, which is a key part of our local community. We inspire our people to do extraordinary things and we invite you to join our fantastic team.

Across the University, we have a huge variety of roles and responsibilities, which together make us one large and successful community. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.

At the University we promote and actively champion equality, diversity and inclusion. It is crucial that everyone can be themselves and can flourish in an environment where everyone respects each other and is treated fairly. We want our people and wider community to feel happy, secure and proud to be a part of Durham. We are looking for the same values in you.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. For more information on our EDI strategy and values, click here

The Role and the Department

This is a fixed-term, full-time, externally funded post. External funding has supported the Laidlaw Programme at Durham University for the last 10 years. Given the success of the programme, there is a possibility of future extension of the role; however, this will be dependent upon future funding received. Secondment applications are welcome, subject to approval from your current Line Manager.

The role holder will provide full administrative support to the Laidlaw Scholars Leadership & Research Programme as well as the Matariki Virtual Student Leadership Programme, supporting the Senior Manager in all aspects of programme delivery.

The Laidlaw Scholars Leadership & Research Programme is a two-year funded programme for undergraduate students dedicated to cultivating the next generation of ethical leaders who are not only skilled researchers, but also champions of integrity and evidence-based decision-making. The programme involves students undertaking independent research; leadership development and training; character development through the Oxford Character Project; and six weeks working with a community of need in a global setting.

The post holder will have responsibility for administering the programme. This may include recruiting scholars to the programme; assessing scholar eligibility; event management, including booking venues and travel and checking risk assessments;

maintaining accurate and detailed records of student outputs and expenses; supporting the creation of marketing materials, PowerPoint presentations and social media content; and undertaking the day-to-day financial recording of expenditure and reporting.

The Laidlaw Scholars Leadership & Research Programme is delivered by 21 universities globally. The post holder will be part of the wider network of administrators who support senior managers at their respective universities. As this is a global programme, the post holder will be required to work flexibly and professionally as part of a busy annual programme schedule. As the programme forms part of student enrichment, training days and events may require working outside normal 9-to-5 hours and at weekends.

In addition, the post holder will be required to attend events organised by the Laidlaw Foundation, typically held over three days and hosted at locations around the UK, with the possibility that future events may also be hosted in Europe. This will require occasional overnight stays away from Durham.

It is anticipated that supporting the Laidlaw Scholars Leadership & Research Programme will require 0.8 FTE of the role holder's time. The remaining 0.2 FTE will be dedicated to supporting other leadership programmes, including the Matariki Virtual Student Leadership Programme, which will commence its pilot year in 2026-27.

The Matariki Virtual Student Leadership Programme is a new initiative in its pilot phase. The post holder will support the Senior Manager with the coordination and administration of this programme. This will include supporting consultation with Colleges and Student Enrichment in relation to the proposed programme; gathering, collating and reporting feedback; assisting with programme marketing and scholar recruitment; liaising with speakers; booking venues; and coordinating the administration of team meetings with global pilot partners.

As the Matariki programme is an enrichment programme delivered across global partner institutions and time zones, some activity may take place outside normal 9-to-5 working hours. The post holder will therefore be required to work flexibly when necessary.

The Laidlaw Scholars Leadership & Research Programme and the Matariki Virtual Student Leadership Programme are part of the Student Experience Directorate. The Student Experience Directorate brings together Student Support and Wellbeing with Enrichment to provide opportunities for students to gain skills and experience through extracurricular activities across the following areas of Sport, Music, Leadership, Volunteering and Theatre whilst also supporting with the welfare of students during their time at Durham University.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:

-    You'll receive 27 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.

-    No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.

-    You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions. 

-    Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.

-   We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.  

-    We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference to the local community. 

-    Our family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).  

-    If you are keen on advancing in your role or career, we have a genuine passion for developing our colleagues from qualifications to IT skills, courses and apprenticeships. 

-    We offer generous pension schemes with varying contribution amounts to help you plan for your future.  

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.