ABOUT US

UCL is a radically different university. Founded in 1826 in the heart of London, we were the first university in England to welcome students of any religion and the first to welcome women on equal terms with men. Today, UCL has more than 50,000 students and 16,000 staff from over 150 countries and is consistently ranked as one of the top ten higher education institutions in the world.
We champion innovation, creativity, and cross-disciplinary working in our teaching and research, and we are consistently ranked among the top ten universities in the world. Our progressive approach to teaching and research, our world leading academics, curious students and outstanding staff continually pursue excellence, break boundaries, and make an impact on real world problems. We pride ourselves on our academic excellence with over 400 undergraduate and 700 postgraduate programmes. UCL has an interdisciplinary approach to teaching and pioneering research, creating real-world impact to address some of the major challenges of our time, such as climate change, mental health & wellbeing, data-empowered societies, inequalities, intercultural communications.
UCL is an outstanding place to work. Our people are our greatest asset, and we provide an empowering, values-based environment in which to work. We foster diversity of thought, mutual respect and collaboration, and actively encourage applications that will bring diverse experiences to the leadership of UCL

ABOUT THE ROLE

This new 18-month internship scheme offers a structured, developmental opportunity for two former or current Sabbatical Officers from UCL Students’ Union (academic years 2022/23, 2023/24 or 2024/25) to take up the role of Institutional Projects Lead. The role provides the chance to apply your leadership experience, policy knowledge and institutional insight in a high-performing environment, working directly on strategic priorities across UCL.
Each Institutional Projects Lead will be embedded within relevant leadership portfolios, leading on the delivery of a key project aligned to institutional goals. You will be supported throughout by a dedicated line manager and mentor, and have access to cross-functional opportunities, professional development, and high-impact networking events.
This role has been designed to support your career transition and further development, while also enabling UCL to benefit from your expertise, student-centred perspective, and in-depth understanding of the UCL landscape.
Key responsibilities will include delivering one or two majors project within a senior leadership portfolio, coordinating operational workstreams, supporting milestone tracking, and ensuring effective reporting and producing high-quality reports, briefings and presentations for senior audiences. You will also engage with internal and external stakeholders to drive cross-functional collaboration, apply governance knowledge and student insight to institutional planning and decision-making, and contribute to inclusive, responsive strategies that reflect the needs of UCL’s diverse global community.
Interviews are intended to be held in-person during w/c 23rd or w/c 30th June.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Tania Trosini (t.trosini@ucl.ac.uk).
For any questions about the application process, please contact Rachel Dargan (r.dargan@ucl.ac.uk).
We will consider applications to work on a part-time, flexible and job share basis wherever possible.

THIS ROLE IS OPEN EXCLUSIVELY TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE SERVED AS A SABBATICAL OFFICER AT UCL STUDENTS’ UNION IN ACADEMIC YEARS 2022/23, 2023/24 OR 2024/25.

You will be passionate about institutional improvement, student outcomes, and inclusive leadership, with the personal drive and professional focus to make a tangible contribution within a complex and ambitious organisation. You will have a strong working knowledge of UCL’s structures, policies and governance frameworks, and bring experience of leading or contributing to strategic initiatives during your sabbatical tenure.
Strong organisational and communication skills are essential, particularly the ability to manage competing priorities and produce high-quality written materials for senior audiences. You will have a collaborative mindset and be confident in building effective working relationships across a wide range of teams. Political acumen, utmost discretion, and sound judgement are key, as is the ability to work with sensitivity on matters of a confidential or strategic nature.
Above all, you will demonstrate a clear commitment to UCL’s values, particularly in relation to equity and inclusion. Candidates with international lived experience and/or an interest in cross-cultural institutional practice are especially encouraged to apply.

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (including 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• On-Site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insuranc