With over 275,000 people, Brighton is a popular destination among expats from all walks of life. Once you visit the city and grasp its lively and colourful vibe through its shops, art scene, and festivals, it is easy to understand why people choose Brighton as their work location. Work opportunities in Brighton are mainly in the education, technology, entrepreneurial, and creative sectors, the leading sources of employment. The city also boasts a substantial tourist industry that peaks during summer and the LGBT Brighton Pride international festival.
Why Brighton is a good place for work
According to a recent economic study, Brighton is set to be among the top five fastest-growing cities in the UK. If you want to work in the UK, Brighton guarantees employees maintain a good balance between productivity at work and the quality of their personal life.
Besides a fantastic pebbly beach scenery that will rejuvenate you daily, Brighton has an incredible sense of community and an outdoorsy lifestyle due to its natural surroundings of the South Downs countryside. Thanks to its two prominent universities and LGBT scene, Brighton is a forward-thinking, cosmopolitan city that rightfully holds the title of the little London by the sea. You will never get bored of Brighton's quaint shops hidden in The Lanes, and you will never run out of dining options with endless dining opportunities catering to all tastes.
Brighton is less than a 50-minute train ride away from London and about 30 minutes on the train from Gatwick Airport, making it a very well-connected city that benefits commuters. Within Brighton, walking and cycling is always an option, and there's always a bus service to take you there for longer distances.
Good to know:
In the UK, bank and public holidays are additional leaves on top of your annual leave. Usually, each year has eight bank and public holidays: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday, Late Summer Bank Holiday, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.
Brighton's biggest employers
Brighton has a strong and diverse economy. The job market is enriched by Brighton's many small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups, focusing on technology, digital marketing, the creative arts, and even holistic therapies. The various independent shops and restaurants contribute to the local economy and provide employment opportunities for part-time students.
Important:
The average salary in Brighton is around £36,000, and the current unemployment rate is estimated at 3.7% (one of the lowest rates in the UK).
Good to know:
Every year, Brighton hosts the Brighton Digital Festival, an excellent forum for technology experts, creators, and audiences to connect through digital technology and engage with digital culture.
American Express
For over 50 years, American Express has had its European headquarters in Brighton, and together with the NHS, they are the biggest employers in the city. American Express offers comprehensive medical and life insurance to employees, as well as disability benefits. In addition, the company supports parents with backup childcare and stands by employees who need in-home care for their loved ones. The company focuses a lot on mental health and employees' well-being, offering free counselling services.
Working in education
If you want to work in education, there are endless possibilities in Brighton. The biggest education employers are the University of Sussex, The University of Brighton, and Brighton College.
The University of Sussex is housed in one of the most beautiful UK university campuses, on the edge of Brighton, amid a vast open parkland. Staff members benefit from access to world-class resources, gym and sports memberships, and various staff activities throughout the year. Besides, employees who commute are eligible for an interest-free season ticket loan. Lifelong learners will be enticed by Sussex's 20% discount off standard tuition fees for online Masters' degrees. Employees with children can apply to use the nursery and preschool services or enroll their children at the holiday and activity camps organised by Sussexsport.
With 2300 staff, The University of Brighton offers academic, administrative, and managerial jobs against competitive salaries. The University of Brighton values work–life balance and encourages flexible working. In addition, it offers job-sharing arrangements among two or more part-time employees, family-friendly schemes, and health and welfare support. Employees can also benefit from a discounted membership to university sports facilities and apply for workshops, conferences, diploma courses, and qualifications at discounted rates.
Brighton College is also considered an employer of choice with a big focus on its well-being program, offering activities such as yoga, Pilates, and mindfulness. Other staff benefits include health assessments, a cycle-to-work scheme, and a range of discount vouchers.
Brighton & Hove City Council
Brighton & Hove City Council offers flexible working, term-time jobs, or job share arrangements while offering full-time staff generous holidays between 25 and 34 days (plus bank and public holidays). New families are mainly looked after with maternity and paternity leaves, as well as a shared parental leave option. Staff who work at the city council can also volunteer at a local charity of their choice for up to 2 days every year.
Good to know:
Other leading employers in Brighton are Lloyds Bank, Asda, and the Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company.
Tip:
If you want to search for jobs in Brighton by sector, look for Brighton's more popular sectors, including business, education, engineering, healthcare, hospitality, and technology. For more jobs in Brighton, check out Expat.com's jobs in England link.
Useful links:
Brighton College career opportunities
University of Brighton job vacancies
Brighton & Hove City Council Jobs
Jobs at American Express, Brighton
Getting a job in Brighton
If you are looking for a job in the private sector, including banks or educational institutions, start job-hunting online and use job search websites such as Indeed, Monster, Reed, and Total Jobs. The Argus, Brighton's local newspaper, also has a job listing on its website and in its printed edition.
If you want to work in retail, cafes, or restaurants, consider printing out your CV to hand-deliver it to the hiring places. These types of positions are widely available in Brighton, and most employers are happy to recruit students part-time.
Good to know:
Fluency in another language (as well as a good command of English) is a huge asset when applying for hospitality and tourism jobs, especially if you target businesses that would benefit from the languages you speak.
Tip:
Read Expat.com's article about Working in the UK to learn more about the UK labour market and the conditions you should meet to be eligible for employability in the country. Remember to connect with current expats or expats-to-be in England through Expat.com's England forum!
Useful links:
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