Job Description:

University and College Union have a new opportunity for Regional Official – South West to join the team!

Reference Number: ROSW1

Salary: £72,414.00 p.a

Contract: Full Time, Permanent

Hours: 35 per week

Location: Exeter, EX4 4EP

Closing Date: Friday 16 October 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.

Regional Official – About the Role:

UCU is seeking a Regional Official to lead our South West regional team. In this rewarding role, based in our Exeter office and reporting to the Head of Bargaining & Representation, your main duties will include:

- Implementation of national and regional strategic planning in the region

- Line management of the regional office staff, including appraisal and development

- Implementation of national agreements, national benchmarks and other nationally agreed bargaining objectives at branch level

- Conducting and supporting negotiations with employing institutions in accordance with nationally, regionally, and locally agreed bargaining objectives

- Securing and maintaining recognition of UCU in the region

Please note: this is a readvertisement - previous applicants should not apply

Regional Official – You:

- Educated to GCSE level or equivalent (incl. maths & English)

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

- Experience of managing a team of staff

- Experience of collective bargaining with employers

- Experience of representing individuals in disciplinary and grievances cases

- Experience of trade union organising

- Experience of effective planning and organising under pressure

Further information:

We welcome applications from any candidate but are particularly keen to receive applications from women and global majority candidates, who are currently underrepresented at this grade in UCU; if this is you and you are interested in the post, we invite you to join an online briefing about the post and what it’s like to work at the union, on Friday 9 October from 1pm.

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.

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: Friday 16 October 2026 at 10am

Interview date: Thursday 5 November 2026

To submit your application for the Regional Official South West opportunity, please click ‘Apply’