About University of Manchester
What is the University of Manchester?
The University of Manchester is a Russell Group research university founded in 1824 and one of the largest single-site universities in the UK. More than 12,800 people are employed across teaching, research, and professional-services roles, supporting more than 44,000 students. The University counts 26 Nobel Prize winners among its community and 550,000 alumni across 190 countries, and it was recognised as the top employer in the city of Manchester in the Financial Times Best Employers 2026 rankings.
Where will I work?
The University is centred on its campus on Oxford Road in central Manchester (M13 9PL), one of the city's defining academic and cultural landmarks. Staff work across faculties, research institutes, and professional-services directorates, with cultural and learning venues such as the libraries, museums, art galleries, and the Jodrell Bank telescope open to employees. Many professional-services roles support hybrid working, and the University is investing over £1 billion in campus improvements, green spaces, and facilities.
What is the University of Manchester team like?
Manchester brings together academics, researchers, clinicians, technicians, and professional-services staff working on everything from frontline teaching to world-leading research. As one of the founding members of the Russell Group, it carries a strong civic and research mission, and the breadth of roles spans faculties, research institutes, and central directorates. New colleagues follow a structured induction programme and an annual performance and development review, with access to an extensive programme of courses, mentoring, and learning-and-development opportunities. Staff recognition schemes and an active employee-volunteering culture — three days of paid volunteering leave each year — reflect a large institution that takes its people and its place in the city seriously.
Work-Life Balance
The University offers flexible working from day one of employment. As its own guidance states, full-time hours can be worked over fewer, longer days — "for example 35 hours worked over 4 days" — and the flexible-working policy also covers condensed hours, job shares, annualised hours, and flexitime that lets staff accrue up to a day off each month. Employees may submit two flexible-working requests in any 12-month period. Annual leave ranges from 23 to 29 days depending on grade and service, in addition to bank holidays and the Christmas/New Year closure days.
Perks and Benefits
Staff join a pension scheme — USS for Grade 6 and above (with a 21.1% employer contribution) and the Pension Saver scheme for Grades 1-5. Family-friendly policies include additional paid maternity and paternity leave and a workplace nursery scheme. A wellbeing programme provides counselling and occupational-health services alongside leading on-site sports facilities — the Manchester Aquatics Centre and two sports centres, with more than 80 health and fitness classes around campus every week. Further perks include season-ticket loans for public transport, the Cycle to Work scheme, and staff discounts on travel and high-street products and services.