Careers Adviser - Academic Services

Position Details

Academic Services

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range of £30,395 to £39,609. With potential progression once in post to £42,036

Grade 7

Part Time (60% FTE) fixed term contract for 1 year

Closing date: 1st October 2019

Job Summary

Working as a careers guidance professional in Careers Network, the post holder will have responsibility for delivering careers advice and guidance, and career development learning, to students within the College of Life and Environmental Services (LES) The post holder will be expected to design and deliver programmes that improve the graduate outcomes of students, in partnership with Heads of Schools and Careers Tutors; and develop action plans for Schools and Programmes within their caseload.

The post holder will work with the College Careers Consultant on the implementation of the College employability plan alongside other members of the LES careers team and across the College. They will draw upon their expertise in graduate recruitment, the graduate labour market and employment sectors, the student experience and career aspirations of LES students, to provide a service that enhances the employability skills of our students, and engages employers, academics, student groups, and alumni.

As a member of staff within Careers Network, the University's multi-award winning careers service, the post holder will play an important role in helping the University to meet its overall targets in relation to graduate employability and working collaboratively with a range of colleagues in Careers Network to meet shared objectives.

Main Duties

Service Provision

• Developing School action plans in partnership with Schools, and undertaking activity that meets the requirements of these Plans and that can demonstrate impact.

• Analysing data from sources such as Graduate Outcomes and Career Registration, and working with the Careers Consultant to develop the employability strategy for the College.

• Supporting the University, and the College, towards a positive performance against Graduate Outcomes; ensuring best practice is being adopted in relation to comparator universities and employment trends.

• Working in partnership with academic and professional services colleagues and students, to develop and deliver a variety of employability services and initiatives; ensuring that services achieve institutional and national quality and professional standards, such as the AGCAS code of practice, and is compliant with relevant legislation and University guidelines.

• Identifying areas for improvement in practices, policies and technology and working with colleagues to implement that improvement.

• Providing careers advice and guidance to students and graduates.

• Developing and delivering employability related lectures and workshops.

• Organising events, engaging employers, speakers and external contacts in partnership with careers tutors.

• Creating resources and information tailored to support the careers provision in Schools.

Dissemination and Communication

• Managing the work of the LES Student Engagement Team particularly in the production of careers newsletters and effective communications to students.

• Participating in the research, authoring and dissemination of reports and briefings relating to the College and employability performance and strategic opportunities. Contributing to College committee meetings, College Boards, and Careers Network Directors' meetings on behalf of the LES team.

• Identifying trends affecting College related students/graduate employability and supporting the initiation of action and creation of innovative solutions.

• Supporting the identification and development of web based and online resources and careers information for various purposes.

• Maintaining and developing positive stakeholder relations (academics, students, staff, employers and other potential partners). In particular, establishing effective partnerships with employers and alumni, and local networks, to enhance the careers provision in the College.

• Responding proactively to enquiries from all stakeholders and identifying potential internal and external collaborations that could enhance the employability of students.

Staff Development/Resource management

• Supervising and supporting information, administrative and student staff where appropriate.

• Supporting the development and delivery of employability related training provision for colleagues within Careers Network as well as staff in Colleges.

• Contributing towards resources planning, with the Careers Consultant and appropriate working groups; promoting cost effectiveness and value for money for the University.

• Being responsible for the management of a budget in relation to a project or an event.

Other Duties

• Contributing to development and delivery of centralised Careers Network activities and services and undertaking occasional weekend and evening work.

• Leading on Careers Network projects and service areas, as directed by the Deputy Director or Director.

• Contributing to quality audits, accreditation exercises and providing information for rankings surveys; collecting service data and evaluations in order to inform the future direction of the service.

• Belonging to AGCAS and contributing as appropriate to its discussions lists, specialist committees and working groups, training, writing and research activities.

• Undertaking other duties from time-to-time, as determined by the Director.

Person Specification

• Educated to degree level.

• A recognised careers guidance qualification e.g. PG Dip. or QCG or equivalent.

• Proven experience of working with students or graduates, and the ability to provide them with an excellent customer experience.

• Project management skills.

• Strong communication and presentation skills.

• Evidence of ability to work under pressure, to manage conflicting demands, and meet challenging targets.

• Evidence of being able to work on own initiative and as part of a team.

• A willingness and ability to network and to generate new leads and projects.

• Evidence of strong problem solving abilities.

• Experience of being able to relate to and work with a range of stakeholders; to inform, persuade and influence with diplomacy and sensitivity.

• Evidence of excellent self and time management skills.

• Evidence of drive and enthusiasm.

• Proficient IT skills including a familiarity with Microsoft applications and experience of working with data.

• Knowledge of relevant legislation relating to employability.

• Commitment to continuous professional development.

Key Capabilities

• Leading Change

The ability to manage change effectively and ensure good practice is maintained.

• Organisational Understanding

Understand the diversity of the University, and how various roles and relationships can support objectives.

• Strategic Thinking and Perspective

Demonstrate understanding of the key factors within HE impacting on their area/ specialism.

• Performance Management

Ensure the highest possible service results through self management and management of available resources.

• Communication

Communicate in a variety of styles for a wide range of audiences; and uses effective communication to motivate customers

• Working collaboratively

Foster collaboration and partnerships in order to meet College and School objectives.

For information enquiries, please contact Phill Williams - P.J.Williams.2@bham.ac.uk

We value diversity at The University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community