ARU is a great place to work. We’re committed to our staff, and we offer an extensive range of benefits, including those detailed below.
We offer competitive salaries. Our rates of pay compare favourably both locally and within the sector.
You’ll be eligible to join one of our contributory occupational pension schemes, either Teachers’ Pensions or the Local Government Pension Scheme, administered by Essex County Council or the NHS Pension Scheme. Your contract of employment will specify which defined benefit scheme you’re eligible for.
Your contribution rates are based on your salary and deducted from gross pay to give tax relief. You can find further details and the member guides at www.essexpensionfund.co.uk, www.teacherspensions.co.uk or www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-pensions.
We offer a generous entitlement ranging between 24–35 working days paid holiday in each complete holiday year depending on your grade, length of service and position. Our holiday year runs from 1 September to 31 August.
We offer an extensive range of staff development opportunities and events to support you in your role and to help you reach your full potential. Fee waiver opportunities may also be available for our programmes of study.
We provide a wide range of staff facilities as well as access to our own art gallery and theatre.
Our Cambridge and Chelmsford campuses offer a choice of spaces where you can sit down and enjoy a delicious hot meal. Our coffee bars offer a wide selection of hot and cold drinks as well as snacks on the go.
There are many opportunities for staff to take part in sport and physical activity. We have beginners’ running groups, a staff football team and health walks.
We offer subsidised fitness classes in Cambridge and Chelmsford and both campuses have a gym which staff can join. Find out more about health and fitness at ARU.
You can also access subsidised packages at neighbouring facilities that we partner with, including Kelsey Kerridge Sports Centre in Cambridge.
We encourage and support travelling by public transport, cycling, walking and car sharing. To help you access these as easily as possible we’ve put discounts and financial assistance in place, including discounts with local transport providers and access to discounted bikes through the national CycleScheme. We also hold regular Dr Bike sessions where you can get your bike checked by a mechanic for free. Interest-free season ticket loans are also available through our travel to work scheme.
We have an agile working culture and are committed to enabling staff to work flexibly to be able to balance the demands of their role and organisational requirements with their personal circumstances.
We have a scheme through which staff can apply for flexible working, including alterations to working hours and part-time working.
We offer a range of family-friendly policies including maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave.
The Government also provides support with childcare costs; visit Childcare Choices to see if you're eligible.
Support the charities you care about the most by choosing to donate through your pay. Our Payroll Giving scheme is a simple, tax-free way to donate to charities and is one of the most cost-effective ways for charities to raise funds.
We’re committed to our local communities. We like to demonstrate corporate social responsibility and we encourage staff to take part in our Staff Volunteering Scheme.
Our 24-hour Employee Support Helpline offers practical advice in a variety of areas. Professional counsellors are also on hand to provide personal support on a range of issues. This service is also available to family members living with our employees.
Whether you live in the UK or overseas, if you’re required to relocate to take up employment with us, subject to certain conditions, we offer a generous and competitive relocation package of £8,000 or 20% of gross starting pay (whichever is the lower) to assist with the costs of removal, relocation and storage expenses.
You can join our University Library free of charge and enjoy access to an extensive range of study and information resources, online and on-campus.