Middle East Centre Administrator

We’re looking for an organised and proactive Middle East Centre Administrator to join the Middle East Centre (MEC) at St Antony’s College. This is a full-time role (35 hours per week), and is based in person at the MEC, with a salary of £30,378 to 35,608 gross per year plus an annual Oxford weighting allowance of £1,730.

Reporting to the Director of the MEC, you will play a central role in delivering high-quality administration, communications and events support for one of the seven regional study centres based at St Antony’s. You will also act as the first point of contact for all Centre enquiries, helping to maintain the Centre’s strong public profile and welcoming environment.

About the role

The Middle East Centre hosts a busy programme of seminars, conferences and special lectures throughout the year. As Centre Administrator, you will support the Director, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and students, ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the Centre and the successful delivery of events and communications activity.

Acting as the first point of contact for enquiries, you will coordinate a broad range of administrative, operational and communications tasks, while building strong relationships with colleagues across the College, the University and external organisations.

Your work will include:

Centre administration

• Supporting Fellows and visiting academics with Centre-related activities
• Acting as the first point of contact for Centre enquiries, including media enquiries
• Administering Visiting Fellowships, Academic Visitorships and Studentships
• Supporting the induction and orientation of visiting academics and students
• Arranging meetings, travel and committee administration
• Working closely with other Centre Administrators and providing cover where required

Events management

• Organising seminars, conferences and special lectures
• Drafting and promoting event adverts and seminar programmes
• Managing event listings on Oxford Events
• Booking travel and accommodation for speakers and visitors
• Supporting events in person, including occasional evenings and weekends

Communications

• Managing the Centre’s communications, website and social media presence
• Producing newsletters, reports and promotional materials
• Maintaining accurate mailing lists and records in line with UK GDPR
• Supporting podcasts and online event content

Finance and Centre management

• Monitoring event and Centre budgets and processing invoices and expenses
• Supporting scholarship administration and fundraising activity
• Liaising with the Maintenance team regarding Centre buildings
• Supporting health and safety processes, including acting as Fire Warden and First Aid Warden (training provided)

What we’re looking for

Essential

• Previous administrative experience with strong attention to detail
• Experience coordinating events and managing communications
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and databases
• Ability to work independently, use initiative and manage competing priorities
• A flexible, proactive and team-focused approach

Desirable

• Experience in Higher Education
• Committee servicing experience
• Knowledge of or interest in the Middle East

Please read the attached job description (including person specification) for more information.

About St Antony’s College

St Antony’s is a vibrant, international graduate-only college of the University of Oxford. Founded in 1950, we are proudly modern and inclusive, with a diverse global community representing more than 70 countries.

The Middle East Centre is a leading international hub for teaching, research and scholarly exchange on the modern Middle East, promoting interdisciplinary study of the Middle East and North Africa, supporting world-class research through its library and archive, and fostering informed international dialogue and collaboration across the region.

We offer excellent employee benefits, including:

• 41 days annual leave including bank/public holidays, with the option to sell up to five days per year for additional pay
• Membership of the University of Oxford’s Staff Pension Scheme
• Free staff meals in the Dining Hall when the hall is open and you are on shift immediately before and after lunch service
• Generous family-friendly benefits
• Staff social events, including a summer party and winter children’s party, plus informal activities run by the Staff Social Committee
• Bus travel scheme, cycle to work scheme, and access to a car parking space in the College’s grounds if available
• A University Card giving you free or discounted access to Oxford colleges, museums, gardens and libraries
• Retail discounts through University schemes for both online and local businesses

How to apply

Please send your completed application form to recruitment@sant.ox.ac.uk by 9.00am on Tuesday 2 June 2026. Interviews will take place in the week beginning 8 June 2026.

We will shortlist candidates based solely on how closely they meet the essential and desirable criteria in the person specification. Please note that we cannot consider late or incomplete applications.

Any offer of employment will depend on satisfactory references and confirmation of your right to work in the UK.

St Antony’s College is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants will be invited to complete a confidential and anonymous monitoring survey, which is not shared with the selection panel.

A privacy notice for applicants and information about how we use your data can be found at https://www.sant.ox.ac.uk/about-st-antonys/how-we-use-your-data

Published date: May 13, 2026

Related documents

MEC-Administrator-application-form.docx

MEC-Administrator-JD-May-2026.pdf