Regional Official - South West

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

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.

The ideal candidate must be educated to GCSE level or equivalent (inc. maths & English) and would suit someone with experience of a similar working environment and/or understanding of working for a trade union or other not-for-profit organisation. Other duties to include:

• 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 at 1pm which will also be an opportunity to ask the recruiting manager questions. All are welcome to join the briefing, especially those who identify as a member of an underrepresented group. If you'd like to attend the briefing, please email recruitment@ucu.org.uk no later than 12 noon on Thursday 8 October.

You do not need to attend the briefing session to apply.

To apply, please download an application pack below or email recruitment@ucu.org.uk quoting job reference ROSW1:

Closing date for applications: Friday 16 October at 10am

Interview date: Thursday 5 November 2026

Returning your application

Please note that applicants should apply using the application form and CVs will not be considered. Completed application forms must be received by us by 10am on the closing date. Late applications will not be considered. Applications to be emailed to recruitment@ucu.org.uk 

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 contact the People and Development Team by e-mail at recruitment@ucu.org.uk or telephone 020 7756 2558 for further details.

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.