Project Delivery Administrator Job Openings: University of Exeter 2026

Project Delivery Administrator – Role Overview

The University of Exeter is seeking an organized and proactive Project Delivery Administrator to join its dynamic project management environment on a part-time (0.5 FTE), fixed-term maternity cover contract running from 01/10/2026 to 04/10/2027.

This position offers a flexible hybrid working model, blending remote home-based work with collaborative time on campus. Serving as an essential operational anchor, you will provide comprehensive administrative support across a diverse portfolio of live university initiatives and institutional projects.

Key Role Information

• Position: Project Delivery Administrator (Maternity Cover)
• Contract: Fixed-Term (01/10/2026 – 04/10/2027), Part-Time (0.5 FTE)
• Working Pattern: Hybrid (Campus & Home-Based)
• Institution: University of Exeter

Core Responsibilities

• Project Support & Coordination: Act as the primary point of contact for project queries, coordinating cross-functional communications across live academic and operational initiatives.
• Governance & Meeting Management: Schedule project board meetings, assemble agenda packs, track action logs, and record formal, accurate meeting minutes.
• Financial & Event Administration: Raise purchase orders (POs), process vendor invoices, track basic project budgets, and assist with project event logistics and workshops.

About Us

The University of Exeter is a prestigious Russell Group university, globally recognized for world-class research, outstanding academic teaching, and innovative higher education initiatives. Combining academic heritage with forward-thinking campus infrastructure, Exeter fosters an inclusive, collaborative, and sustainable environment where staff and students thrive. Our project delivery teams play a crucial role in enabling transformative research, educational technology, and strategic campus developments.

Website Link: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/

Career Guide & Key Insights

Project administration within higher education provides a versatile foundation in project management methodologies, financial governance, and stakeholder coordination.

How to Excel as a Higher Education Project Administrator

• Master Higher Education Governance: University projects involve diverse stakeholders—from academic researchers and faculty heads to external funding bodies. Tailor your communication to be clear, professional, and structured.
• Develop Speed and Precision in Minute-Taking: Project boards rely on clear action trackers. Focus on capturing decision points, risk escalations, and owner assignments rather than verbatim dialogue.
• Familiarize Yourself with HE Financial Systems: Understanding institutional finance workflows (such as purchase requisitions, grant budget allocations, and invoice approvals) ensures smooth vendor and vendor payment processing.

Benefits of the Role

• Russell Group Higher Education Exposure: Gain high-level project administration experience within a leading UK research university.
• Hybrid Work Flexibility: Enjoy a balanced work-life schedule combining remote working with vibrant campus interaction.
• Predictable Part-Time Hours: Structured 0.5 FTE workload offering stability and schedule flexibility over a 12-month period.
• Professional Growth: Excellent opportunity to build skills in project management frameworks (such as Agile or PRINCE2 principles) and university operations.

How to Prepare Your CV for This Position

To present a compelling application to the University of Exeter, structure your CV around project coordination, minute-taking accuracy, and financial admin:

1. Highlight Project Support & Coordination: Explicitly state experience supporting live projects, tracking milestones, or assisting project managers.
2. Emphasize Governance & Minute-Taking Skills: Detail your experience preparing board papers, managing agendas, and taking formal minutes for complex meetings.
3. Showcase Financial & Purchasing Competencies: Mention prior exposure to purchase order creation, invoice processing, and financial logging using ERP software (e.g., SAP, Agresso/UNIT4, or Oracle).
4. Detail Higher Education or Public Sector Context: If applicable, highlight past experience working within universities, research institutions, local government, or public sector bodies.

How to Prepare for an Interview

• Review Project Lifecycles: Be prepared to discuss how administrative support keeps projects running on time and within budget.
• Demonstrate Governance Rigor: Practice explaining your approach to managing conflicting schedules, organizing meeting packs under tight deadlines, and tracking follow-up actions.
• Use the STAR Method: Frame your answers using Situation, Task, Action, Result when sharing past administrative achievements.

Interview Questions

1. Managing Committee & Board Logistics: “How do you ensure that project board members receive accurate meeting agendas, papers, and minutes on time, especially when dealing with busy academic and executive schedules?”
2. Financial Administration & Accuracy: “Can you walk us through your process for raising purchase orders and handling invoice queries to ensure project budgets remain accurate?”
3. Prioritizing Across Multiple Live Projects: “In a part-time (0.5 FTE) role supporting multiple live projects, how do you prioritize urgent administrative requests while maintaining routine project tracking?”

How to Apply

1. Access the University Jobs Portal: Visit the official University of Exeter jobs and vacancies page.
2. Complete the Online Application Form: Submit your CV along with a structured supporting statement explaining how your experience meets the criteria in the job description.
3. Observe Key Dates: Ensure your application is submitted prior to the official closing deadline listed on the university portal for this maternity cover post starting 01/10/2026.

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Disclaimer

This job summary, career guide, and interview preparation resource are compiled independently for career guidance and informational purposes. Position details, contract terms, and location guidelines reflect the posting by the University of Exeter and are subject to change by the institution. The University of Exeter is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates should verify all specific application details directly through the official university recruitment platform.