Gates Cambridge is seeking a Community Platform Officer to strengthen connections across our global community.
The Gates Cambridge mission is to build a global network of future leaders committed to improving the lives of others. We achieve this mission by selecting outstanding scholars from countries outside the UK and providing them with full-cost scholarships to pursue postgraduate degrees in any subject available at the University of Cambridge.
Gates Cambridge Scholars become part of a lifelong global community defined by its core value of commitment to improving the lives of others through leadership. Alongside the 250 or so Scholars who are studying in Cambridge at any point in time, there are over 2000 Scholars in the alumni section of the community, and this number grows every year.
The Gates Cambridge Trust, which was established in 2000 with a generous gift from the Gates Foundation, manages the Gates Cambridge Scholarship and a programme of events and activities for Scholars. The endowment has grown to almost £350 million (2024).
At the Trust, we are a small, friendly and diverse group of colleagues who are dedicated to delivering the Gates Cambridge mission while creating a welcoming and enjoyable working environment.
Purpose of the role
To strengthen connections across the global community of Gates Cambridge Scholars, the Gates Cambridge Trust is developing a digital community platform that enables Scholars to engage with one another and stay connected to Trust. The Trust seeks someone who enjoys working with technology and people; someone curious, adaptable, and excited about helping build a thriving global online community.
The Community Platform Officer will play a central role in supporting the daily operation, development, and engagement of this platform. The postholder will work closely with the Global Engagement Manager, Communications Officer, and the platform vendor to ensure the platform remains relevant and continues to facilitate connections across the global Gates Cambridge Scholar community.
The postholder will provide day-to-day support for the digital community platform, help deliver digital engagement activities that connect Scholars, ensure that content is accurate and engaging and that user queries are resolved promptly, and data remains accurate and up-to-date.
This position offers an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in digital engagement, communications, and community management within a small, diverse and supportive team.
Main Responsibilities
Platform management and support
- Approve new member registrations and maintain accurate user data.
- Monitor and help moderate online discussions, groups, and events to ensure a positive user experience and adherence to community guidelines.
- Upload and update resources, announcements, and other materials on the platform.
- Troubleshoot user and technical issues, liaising with the supplier and the Global Engagement Manager where required.
- Test and review new platform features and updates, providing timely feedback and suggestions for improvement.
- Produce regular analytics and engagement reports for internal review.
Content and communications
- Support the preparation and scheduling of digital content, including posts, and newsletters for the platform.
- Assist with the creation of campaigns that highlight community initiatives and opportunities.
- Ensure that communications are accessible, accurate, and consistent with the organisation’s tone and branding.
- Collaborate with colleagues to align platform content with broader engagement and communications strategies.
Community engagement
- Help to establish and maintain groups, mentoring schemes, and regional or thematic initiatives within the platform.
- Respond to user enquiries and provide timely, helpful guidance.
- Encourage participation and explore creative approaches to building online engagement.
Continuous improvement
- Identify opportunities to enhance user experience, streamline processes, and increase engagement.
- Stay informed about trends and best practice in digital community building and alumni relations.
- Contribute to wider team projects and initiatives as required.
The Trust actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
To apply for this role, you must submit a cover letter, CV, and names of two references. The deadline for applications is 9:00 a.m. on Monday 5 January 2026.
For full details about the role, including how to apply, please see the candidate pack.
