HR Recruitment Administrator (12 month Fixed Term Contract)

The University At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.

People are the most important asset of Durham University and our HR Department is pivotal in ensuring that we attract, recruit, develop, reward and retain the very best talent from across the world into our University community. The HR Department plays a leading role in creating a working environment for our staff (and potential staff) which is supportive, stimulating and informative, whilst providing for creative and innovative employment practices and opportunities.

The University HR Recruitment Team provides support for all staff recruitment within the University and the recruitment of world leading colleagues is a strategic priority. This is an exciting time to join our team here at Durham, as we launch our new e-recruitment system.

As an HR Recruitment Administrator, you will work as part of a supportive and thriving team to administer each stage of the recruitment process, including tasks such as advertising vacancies, preparing applications for shortlisting along with issuing interview invitations followed by contracts to successful applicants. You will be an effective team member and work collaboratively with others. You will provide recruitment support and guidance to our colleagues across the business, acting as a first point of contact for recruitment queries. You will use your problem-solving skills to manage and resolve enquiries wherever possible, ensuring a high-quality service and a fantastic recruitment experience for our colleagues and candidates.

You will have previous administration experience including working on multiple tasks at the same time. You will be able to work well in a team, with the ability to multi task, and prioritise workloads to ensure you meet your deadlines. You'll be comfortable working on a variety of systems, including our Recruitment System, and have working knowledge of Microsoft Office products such as Outlook, Word and Excel.

This post is full-time, 35 hours a week and fixed term for 12 months. We operate hybrid working and are on site two days per week and remainder from home. The base location for this role is Boldon House, our exciting new professional services hub, situated on the outskirts of Durham near the Arnison Centre in Pity Me.

Typical Role Requirements:

Service Delivery:
- Provide advice and guidance on basic employment legislation, recruitment practice and routine HR issues, including UKVI requirements, annual leave entitlement etc.
- Manage own workload, mindful of the set objectives and priorities, ensuring that deadlines and queries are dealt with within appropriate timescales.
- Contribute to general HR processes development.
- Focus on checking stakeholder requirements to ensure the delivery of excellence with the frontline stakeholder experience, maintaining high professional standards of reporting and processes.
- Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values.
- Provide an excellent and timely service to your colleagues and anyone else you come across as part of your role.
- Use your experience and problem-solving skills to resolve routine issues with things relevant to your role and provide information and updates to help your team find solutions.
- Collect, organise and record data and information accurately and provide reports as required.
- Promote positive wellbeing arrangements which benefit you and your team.
- Use and apply relevant professional and regulatory standards e.g. data protection when managing data.
- Use standard office-based devices and applications such as the E-Recruitment system, Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint to deliver services.
- Update guidance on standard operating procedures followed by the team.
- Process and update key business documentation including issuing new contracts of employment, in a timely and accurate manner, ensuring details are entered correctly onto the HR system.

Teamwork:
- Contribute to the planning of team activities, work and deadlines to ensure the smooth running and timeliness of service, providing cover for team members as required.
- Resolve queries and respond to requests for information and advice and bring any complex issues to the attention of more experienced team members.
- Help your team organise and provide administrative services that support key activities undertaken within Recruitment and contribute to team planning activities.
- Help your team ensure that products and services are adapted in response to feedback and to meet changing demands.

Communication/Liaison:
- Seek feedback from staff and anyone else that you come across as part of your role on their requirements from your service to ensure that their reasonable expectations are being met.
- Record information and respond to queries which you receive.
- Liaise with staff in other areas, professional organisations and agencies to ensure that services are being delivered in an efficient and collaborative way.
- Liaise with external suppliers, contractors, specialists and service providers to plan the delivery of services and events.
- Provide support for meetings, working groups and committees, such as preparing and sending documents for meetings, drafting reports and taking minutes.

Person Specification - Essential Criteria:
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 busy office environment delivering front line administrative services or having relevant qualifications for the role.
3. Experience of managing time to meet deadlines and working under pressure without compromising on quality.
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 continuing professional development.
7. Ability to solve problems and resolve straightforward issues yourself and as part of a team.
8. Ability to provide advice and guidance to a range of colleagues and customers.

Desirable Criteria:
9. Experience of recruitment processes.
10. A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of an e-recruitment system.

Benefits:
- 27 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year (total 39 days). The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
- Parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme, and discount with local bus and train companies.
- Exclusive discounts via benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products, eating out and days out.
- On-site nursery rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
- Wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
- Volunteering activities to make a difference to the local community.
- Family friendly policies including maternity and adoption leave among the most generous in the higher education sector.
- Development opportunities from qualifications to IT skills, courses and apprenticeships.
- Generous pension schemes with varying contribution amounts.

Interviews will be held on Wednesday 18 November 2026.