Graduate Intern – Market Intelligence and Support

The External Relations Department is responsible for enhancing the University of Derby's reputation and profile, driving student recruitment and supporting the University's strategic ambitions. Through specialist teams spanning marketing, communications, digital, social media, events and student recruitment, the department delivers impactful campaigns, engaging events and outstanding customer experiences that connect prospective students and stakeholders with the University, both nationally and internationally.

This internship offers an excellent opportunity to gain practical experience within a busy External Relations environment. You will support the External Relations team with day-to-day market research, data gathering, and reporting. The intern will help collect and organise information on competitors, trends and student recruitment markets, and support the wider team with basic project coordination tasks. This role is hands-on and task-based rather than strategic, giving the intern practical exposure to how a marketing and insight function operates.

In addition, you will provide support to the Director of External Relations, assisting with diary management, research, administration, and organisational tasks, gaining insight into senior-level business operations and stakeholder engagement.

Principal Accountabilities:

Under the guidance of the Director of External Relations, support the team by gathering and organising data on competitor activity, market trends, and demographic information from publicly available sources.

Help compile simple reports and summaries of research findings for review by senior colleagues.

Assist with maintaining trackers, spreadsheets and dashboards used to monitor recruitment and marketing activity.

Support the coordination of small project tasks, tracking deadlines and helping keep documents up to date.

Help prepare briefing materials, presentations and internal communications under guidance.

Provide general administrative support to the Director of External Relations, including diary coordination, filing and note-taking at meetings.

Liaise with colleagues across departments to collect information needed for reports.

Adopt a professional approach in understanding and responding to client and customer needs.

Adopt the University's Core Values and Behaviours.

Person Specification – Essential Criteria:

Qualifications: A recent University of Derby Graduate (within the last 3 years); Relevant degree.

Experience: Basic experience with spreadsheets and data organisation; Basic experience and interest in research or analysis; Experience of co-ordinating multiple projects at the same time.

Skills, knowledge & abilities: Understanding of marketing and emerging trends; Good attention to detail; High level proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); Good written communication; Ability to work as part of a team.

Business requirements: Willingness and flexibility to travel and work between University sites in a cost effective and timely manner; Ability to work outside of normal working hours (including some evenings and weekends) to support the business during key University events such as Graduation, Clearing and Open Days.

Person Specification – Desirable Criteria:

Experience: Experience of working in marketing, research or the Higher Education sector; Experience of working with basic reporting tools.

Skills, knowledge and abilities: Knowledge of the Education sector.

Benefits:

Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata); Local Government Pension Scheme; Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme; Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers; Discounted onsite gym; Cycle to Work scheme; A flexible working environment; A commitment to personal and professional development.