Matariki Network Secretariat Manager

Job Description

Matariki Network Secretariat Manager (Job Number: 26001401)

International Office

Grade 7: £39,560 - £48,970 per annum

Fixed Term - Full Time

Contract Duration: 52 weeks

Contracted Hours per Week: 35

Working Arrangements: Hybrid working

Closing Date: 16-Nov-2026, 11:59:00 PM

Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.

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. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.

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.

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page.

The Role and Department

The International Office is responsible for:

• The recruitment of international students to all areas of the university to meet institutional targets
• Delivery of student marketing to support recruitment across the University both home and international at all levels of study.
• Supporting and managing the developing of international partnerships to raise the University’s global profile and to support academic colleagues in developing international links and collaborations
• Managing the university’s student mobility programmes (Erasmus+ and other exchange partnerships) to meet the University’s student mobility targets.

The Matariki Network of Universities (MNU) is an international alliance of similar institutions focussed on research-led teaching, sharing best practice and the development of joint research- and education initiatives in order to achieve internationalisation objectives and increase individual- and collective international profile. Current members of the Network are: Queen’s University, Canada; Durham University, UK; Uppsala University, Sweden; University of Tübingen, Germany; University of Otago, New Zealand; and University of the Western Cape, South Africa. The Matariki Secretariat Manager position is a shared role; financially supported by all six partner universities but located at and contracted by Durham University. The Secretariat Manager line manages the other member of the Secretariat, the Matariki Network Assistant Officer, and is line managed by the Head of International Partnerships and Global Opportunities at Durham University.

Working closely with the MNU Executive Board, International Leads Group, and nominated contacts at each partner institution, the post-holder manages all strategic activities undertaken across the Network. These include: maintaining central records of all Network activity; the development of streamlined communications and publicity; forward planning and co-ordination of major meetings and events; management of a central budget; support for the development of the MNU strategy; horizon-scanning for opportunities for innovative MNU projects; all general administration required to deliver an effective international Secretariat.

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 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample 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 also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.
• We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• 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.
• Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• 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).
• We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
• 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.
• Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest-free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.

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. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.

Your application should cover the following criteria:

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience

1. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).
2. Professional practitioner with knowledge and expertise in the delivery and development of events, initiatives and activities
3. Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting change and service improvements.
4. Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of colleagues and stakeholders, including more senior colleagues at institutions across the Network.
5. Experience of being able to network effectively and develop strong and productive working relationships, to influence perceptions of the Network, including experience of working with staff at a senior level (Vice-Chancellors, Rectors)
6. Extensive experience of successful project management, including data analysis and report writing.
7. Experience of managing and developing a team or teams and/or a line management qualification.
8. High level strategic planning skills and confidence when working with financial data.
9. Experience of website design/development and use of social media, including running market campaigns.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

10. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally, and act with tact and cultural sensitivity.
11. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, business systems.
12. Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.
13. Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.
14. Demonstrable self-motivation, creativity and initiative
15. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.
16. Ability to contribute to planning at an operational level.
17. Flexible approach to working patterns which will include commitment to working outside office hours when necessary, and the ability to travel in the UK and overseas as required.

Desirable Criteria

18. Experience of budgetary management, in particular working across currencies.
19. Proficiency in at least one foreign language.

How to Apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.

Submitting your application

We prefer to receive applications online. 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.

What you need to submit

• A CV: and
• A supporting statement or covering letter which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification.

Contact details

For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Fiona O'Carroll at fiona.o'carroll@durham.ac.uk.

Typical Role Requirements

Service Delivery/Development

• Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.
• Manage the delivery of Matariki project activities to a high standard and ensure that they are delivered effectively and to agreed timelines.
• Provide specialist expertise and support to the MNU Chair and Executive Board, as well as professional and academic colleagues at Network partners
• Provide the best possible service by continually reviewing what is required from Network members and other stakeholders and contribute to ideas and service improvements.
• Network and engage with MNU stakeholders (external and internal) to gather feedback and identify future service needs, and to ensure excellence in service provision.
• Contribute to the design and delivery of activities that meet Network objectives.
• Maintain a broad awareness of current policy and business goals across the Network, such as widening participation and access.Working closely with the MNU Chair and leadership groups (Executive Board and International Leads), contribute to the development and delivery of the MNU Strategy.
• Horizon-scan for opportunities to develop innovative schemes for MNU within a changing HE environment and support the start-up phase of agreed new research- and education activities; identifying key contacts and leaders at each institution, and co-ordinating input from across the Network.

Planning and Organisation

• Manage the delivery of operational activities carried out by the Network.
• Continually seek to enhance the services provided to your stakeholders, planning and implementing any required improvements by seeking feedback from Network members and other stakeholders.
• Manage and monitor service performance and provide metrics and reports to the Executive Board and International Leads, making recommendations as appropriate.
• Co-ordinate benchmarking activity within the Network on agreed issues such as student experience, researcher development, sustainability policies, etc., working with third party organisations as appropriate.
• Produce and analyse statistical metrics to identify successful delivery and areas for future improvement, and produce an MNU Annual Report.
• Responsible for managing the MNU budget for consumables and some capital items, keeping records for the Executive Board and processing invoices for the annual membership levy.

Team Development

• Ensure that the Matariki Secretariat can deliver the required services by devolving and delegating responsibilities to the Matariki Network Assistant Officer, as appropriate.
• Carry out regular performance reviews to provide feedback on Secretariat and individual objectives and expectations and to identify any development needs.
• Ensure that the Secretariat continues to develop by coaching and mentoring team members and responding to any training or development needs, as appropriate.
• Support the welfare and wellbeing of the other Secretariat team member referring more complex issues to specialist services.

Communication/Liaison

• Use your operational expertise to participate in business meetings, working groups and sub-committees, including the administration of-and attendance at annual Executive Board meetings and videoconferences and other agreed meetings of key stakeholder groups (e.g. Research Leads).
• Maintain regular contact with the MNU Co-ordinators at each member institution to facilitate, distribute and process key Network information to all stakeholders.
• Support and monitor communities of practice and partnership working across the Network
• Through the development of internal/external communication strategies, communicate with internal and external stakeholders using appropriate media and methods to include social media and publicity materials, ongoing maintenance and development of the MNU website and the MNU brand.Record and promote all current Network-wide activities in Research, Education and Benchmarking, ensuring that key contacts at all member institutions are kept informed of new developments.
• Internal and external relationship development and partnership working, networking and participation to engage and influence future participation in the Network and boost its reputation.
• Represent the MNU at education conferences and other meetings, as appropriate.
• 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.

MATERNITY COVER

Appointment to this post is fixed term to cover the substantive post holder’s maternity leave and is not anticipated to be extended.

SECONDMENT

The post is full time, fixed term for a 1 year period and may be offered on an internal secondment basis subject to the agreement of the current line manager.

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