Proud to be Sunderland

The University of Sunderland offers life‑changing opportunities for more than 27,500 students across our campuses in Sunderland, London and Hong Kong, as well as through global partnerships in 19 countries.

We’re an inclusive, ambitious and forward‑looking University in a vibrant city that’s constantly evolving. We’re also entering an exciting new phase with a refreshed vision and strategic ambitions shaped around the changing higher education landscape.

As we move through 2026, we’re celebrating being recognised as:

A top 30 UK university (Guardian University Guide 2026)
1st in the North‑East for student support services (Daily Mail University Guide 2026)
1st in the North‑East for teaching quality (The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026)

Your next opportunity

We are seeking a Talent Development Specialist to join our People team and contribute to the ongoing development of our Talent Development offer.

This is a varied role where you will design and deliver development activity that supports colleagues and leaders across the University. Working closely with stakeholders, you will take a consultative approach to understand challenges, identify needs and develop practical solutions that make a real difference.

You will facilitate engaging sessions, support development through coaching approaches, and contribute to a range of initiatives including leadership, management and culture-focused activity. The role offers a good level of autonomy, so you will be comfortable managing your own workload and shaping your work in line with priorities.

This is a hybrid role based on our Sunderland campus; the post is full time however we are open to considering this role on a part time basis of 0.8 FTE.

Is this you?

We are looking for someone who builds strong working relationships and is confident engaging with a wide range of audiences. Just as important is your approach; someone who is proactive, adaptable and genuinely motivated to support the development of others.

If you bring relevant experience and a strong interest in learning, organisational and/or talent development, we would welcome an application.

Why join us?

At the University of Sunderland, we’re more than a place of learning, we’re a welcoming community that values inclusivity, collaboration, and well-being. We don’t just offer jobs, we offer careers that come with support, flexibility, and plenty of perks:

Up to 44 days’ holiday - that’s 31 days’ annual leave, 5 festive closure days and 8 Bank Holidays!
Award-winning staff networks that celebrate who you are.
Lifestyle benefits, with savings on shopping, tech, bikes, and even cars.
Health and well-being support, from private medical cover to gym discounts.
Learning and development that helps you achieve your goals.

Ready to Apply?

Before getting started, please download the Role Profile under ‘Job Description’ so you have everything you need.

Our application questions assess you directly against the essential and desirable criteria for the role. We do not review CVs at this stage, so please provide detailed, evidence-based answers to help us understand your suitability.

Closing date: Monday 13th July (23:59 GMT)

If you have questions about the role, please contact: Nick Turner – Talent Development Partner – nick.turner@sunderland.ac.uk

University of Sunderland

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Talent Development Specialist