Reference Number: PA1
Salary: £46,635p.a (inclusive of London Allowance)
Hours: 35 per week
Contract: Permanent and full time
Location: Carlow Street, London NW1 7LH
Closing Date: Monday 19 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.
PA to the General Secretary – About the role:
UCU is seeking a capable, sensitive and reliable Personal Assistant, to join the team at the head office in Carlow Street, London NW1 7LH, on a permanent, full time basis. In this exciting role, reporting to the General Secretary and Executive Officer, your main duties will be:
- To provide diary and administrative support to the General Secretary, and Executive Officer to the General Secretary
- To provide the administration of meetings/committees/conferences and seminars
- To maintain departmental expense records
PA to the General Secretary – 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
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively (verbally and in writing) at all levels
- Experience of effectively planning and organising workload to meet deadlines
- Experience of providing sound administrative and secretarial support at a senior level
Benefits of working for the University and College Union
We offer a number of financial and welfare benefits to support our employees, highlights include:
- 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 19 October 2026 at 10 am.
Interview date: Thursday 19 November 2026
To submit your application for this exciting PA to the General Secretary opportunity, please click ‘Apply’ now
Salary description
£46635.00 - £46635.00 per year