Part Time Secretary jobs in Darlington

Job Number:
26001230)
Josephine Butler College
Grade 3: - £5,0005 - £5,114.20 which is pro rata the full time salary of £25,025 - £25,571
Fixed Term - Annualised Hours (Part Time)
Contract Duration: 1 year
Contracted Hours per Week: 7
Working Arrangements: In person/on-site
Closing Date
: 29-Sep-2026, 5:59:00 PM
Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.

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.

The Role and Department

Josephine Butler College is seeking to appoint a College Administrative Senior Assistant (Grade 3, 0.2 FTE, fixed-term for one year) to join our friendly, vibrant, and inclusive community.

Opened in 2006, we are named after the 19th-century social reformer Josephine Butler, whose commitment to education, social justice, and advocacy continues to inspire our students, staff, and wider College community. Josephine Butler College is led by Professor Gillian Hampden-Thompson.

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This is an in-person role based at Josephine Butler College. The position is particularly well suited to a current student, postgraduate researcher, or recent graduate seeking flexible part-time work and valuable administrative experience within a collegiate university environment. We can offer flexibility regarding working hours and days, subject to operational requirements. The expected start date is 1 November 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Key responsibilities will include

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The successful candidate will:
Provide administrative support to the College Administration Coordinator and wider College staff team.
a { text-decoration: none; color: #464feb; } tr th, tr td { border: 1px solid #e6e6e6; } tr th { background-color: #f5f5f5; } Support the organisation of meetings, bookings, room reservations, and event logistics.
Maintain accurate records, databases, and filing systems in accordance with university procedures.
Assist with preparing correspondence, spreadsheets, reports, presentations, and other documentation.
Help manage general enquiries from students, staff, alumni, and visitors, ensuring a professional and welcoming service.
Assist with student engagement activities, inductions, and other College programmes throughout the academic year.
Provide administrative support for alumni and donor engagement activities where required.
Undertake routine administrative tasks such as photocopying, scanning, data entry, and processing forms.
Monitor shared inboxes and help ensure queries are directed to the appropriate member of staff
Carry out other reasonable duties appropriate to the grade and nature of the post.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

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.
• 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.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply

To be considered for this role, here are the skills/experience we’re looking for:

Qualifications/Experience

1. Five GCSEs at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or equivalent experience.

2. Experience of working in a team delivering customer-focused administrative services or having relevant qualifications for the role.

3. Experience of managing time to meet deadlines.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

4. Good spoken and written communication skills.

5. Good digital skills including experience in using digital devices and apps including the internet, email, digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, digital booking systems.

6. Committed to training/continuing professional development.

7. Ability to solve problems as part of a team and resolve straightforward issues.

8. Ability to provide advice and guidance to a range of colleagues and customers.

Desirable Criteria

9. Experience of working in an administrative, customer service, or university environment.

How to Apply

We prefer to receive applications online. When you apply you need to submit a CV and/or a statement that tells us your experience and gives examples of how you meet the criteria above and/or submit the application form and include the information within the form.

We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

Who to contact for more information

If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role or if you are struggling to complete the application process, Dr Michael Finn would be happy to speak to you josephinebutler.vp@durham.ac.uk.

Typical Role Requirements

Here are the kind of activities that you’ll be asked to undertake and ways in which you’ll be expected to operate.

Service Delivery

• Provide an excellent and timely service to our students, your colleagues and anyone else you come across as part of your role.
• Log, record and pass on information for use by others.
• Carry out some tasks that may require specialist skills.
• Follow established procedures when carrying out your role, varying when necessary or referring to more senior colleagues.
• Collect, organise and record data and information accurately for use by others.
• When carrying out your role, apply relevant industry and regulatory standards.
• Use standard office-based devices and applications (such as Word, Excel and MS Forms) to deliver services.
• Collate and distribute information [e.g. meeting papers] for use by others.
• Carry out standard checks and comply with professional and regulatory requirements [e.g. security standards] when handling and archiving data and information.
• Provide support for meetings, working groups and committees by preparing related documents.

Teamwork/Liaison

• Help to move, set-up and maintain any facilities or equipment.
• Help your colleagues when required with other key activities undertaken within your service, for example set up for an event.
• Help and cooperate with the rest of your team on operational matters to help achieve shared objectives.
• Liaise with staff in other areas to ensure that services are being delivered in an efficient and collaborative way.
• Help team members carry out stock and inventory checks.

Communication/Personal

• Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the University’s values.
• Follow established procedures to respond to queries and bring any complex issues to the attention of more experienced team members.
• Respond to queries by providing routine information and signposting to additional guidance.
• Any other reasonable duties.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Privacy Notice which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

Durham University is a UKVI sponsor. Applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK should note that not all roles are eligible. Further information on visa requirements and eligibility can be found on the UKVI website.

Version 07-2026