Campaigner

University and College Union have a new opportunity for a Campaigner!

Reference Number: C01

Salary: £65,151 per annum (inclusive of London Allowance) 

Hours: 35 per week

Contract: Permanent, Full Time

Location: Carlow Street, London, NW1 7LH

Closing Date: Monday 6 July 2026 at 10.00 am

About Us:

The University and College Union (UCU) represents over 120,000 academics, lecturers, trainers, instructors, researchers, managers, administrators, computer staff, librarians and postgraduates in universities, colleges, prisons, adult education and training organisations across the UK. We also have members in the private sector, for example in private training agencies and language schools, as well as members working on a freelance basis. Students training to teach in post-school education also belong to UCU. 

Campaigner – About the role:

The department at UCU is seeking a Campaigner to join the team on a permanent, full time basis. In this exciting role, based in our Carlow Street office and reporting to the Head of Campaigns your main duties will be: 

To be responsible for the development and effective delivery of campaigning and organising strategies at national and local level in areas delegated by the Head of Campaigns including: 

- To contribute as part of the campaigns team to the development of national strategies and policies in the areas of campaigning, organising and recruitment in line with UCU’s strategic objectives

- To liaise with external bodies in support of UCU’s public policy objectives as directed by the Head of Campaigns

- To maintain awareness and knowledge of key professional industrial relations and political issues in the post-compulsory education sector and contemporary trends in organising and campaigning techniques

- To commission and oversee the production and distribution of campaigning, organising and promotional materials

Campaigner – You:

- Experience of a similar working environment and/or understanding of working for a Trade Union or other not-for-profit organisation

- Excellent copy writing skills across a range of platforms including articles, briefings, leaflets, posters, speeches, newsletters and social media

- Understanding of the effective use of publicity materials in supporting campaigning work

- Successful track record as a campaigner and experience of or demonstrable ability to provide high quality campaign support to members, activists and senior staff

- Understanding of or demonstrable ability to learn the political and policy environment within which UCU operates

Benefits of working for the University and College Union:

- Supportive Family Policies: Embrace family life with enhanced Maternity, Adoption, Paternity, and Shared Parental Leave schemes

- Health and Well-being Support: Access to confidential counselling 24/7 through our Employee Assistance Programme; advice and face-to-face intervention  from via our Physiotherapy Advice Line; healthcare assessment

- Flexible Working: Take advantage of our Flexitime scheme, allowing you to tailor your work hours within our Work Life Balance policy

- Financial Assistance: Benefit from being enrolled in the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), childcare support, interest-free season ticket loans, and assistance with the cost of eyesight testing and glasses for DSE use

- Training and Development: Elevate your skills with tailored training, developmental support, and access to live and on demand courses available through our online training platform

Note: working arrangements

UCU requires its employees to work from their office/in the field for at least 60% of their working week. They may apply to work from home for the remaining 40% but UCU cannot guarantee that this will be agreed.

Diversity & Inclusion Monitoring

We need your support to make sure our employees come from a variety of backgrounds, so we especially welcome applications from disadvantaged communities. Even if you are not selected, it would be really helpful if you could complete the diversity & inclusion data when you apply for this role, because we can make sure we are encouraging a diverse mixture of candidates to apply. Thank you very much.

Equal Opportunities

UCU is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

We are happy to accept applications in alternative formats from applicants who, for reasons of disability, may find it difficult to fill in our standard form. Please see the advert on our website for further details

Closing date for applications: Monday 6 July 2026 at 10 am.

Interview date: Tuesday 11 August 2026

To submit your application for this exciting Campaigner opportunity, please click ‘Apply’ now!