Department
The Academic Section is part of the University’s Professional Services and is headed by the Academic Registrar. The Section is responsible for managing all aspects of student and academic administration in partnership with Departments, Schools and Faculties. It plays a central role in delivering the University’s commitment to excellence in education across the institution through the development and implementation of the University-wide projects and the development, review and implementation of effective policy in support of the University’s academic mission. The Section is also the guardian of the student experience and leads, promotes and embeds the institutional commitment to putting students at the heart of everything we do.
The Student Life Directorate is part of the Academic Section and encompasses Student Development, Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity, and Student Services; all of which support student progression, success and graduate employability. We are committed to innovation and continuous enhancement within our services and to working collaboratively across all areas of the University, and beyond, for the benefit of our students.
The Student Development service enables an integrated approach towards student skills development, through the delivery of employability and careers services, academic skills support and student engagement expertise, in order to ensure that every student has the skills and experiences necessary for success in securing a good degree outcome and a successful graduate employment outcome.
Duties of the Role
The Careers Adviser (Coaching) will be allocated a case load of both recent graduates and final year undergraduates, and will take responsibility for their ongoing progress, supporting clients into positive graduate outcomes. The relationship that the Careers Adviser will have with their clients is crucial so strong interpersonal skills will be essential. The role will involve out of hours working to enable support to be provided as and when needed to the allotted caseload. There is an expectation that the role will also provide support via Zoom when attendance on campus is impractical and will need to attend events and meetings on campus or via Zoom during normal working hours. This role will work proactively with academic departments to provide consultancy, expert labour market analysis and advice to enhance a department’s approach to employability to support graduate outcomes through designing and delivering embedded Career Development Learning in the curriculum and delivery of careers guidance.
Skills and qualifications required
Educated to degree level, you will hold a relevant professional qualification related to careers guidance or substantial, recent, directly relevant professional experience. Most importantly, you will have an innovative, engaging and effective professional approach. Your previous experience will have equipped you for adapting flexibly to this role and you will be someone who thrives on positive change and seeks new challenges, a self-starter who is able to write your own script and find fresh ways to engage with students, while ensuring your activities are effectively coordinated with your colleagues.
At the University of Essex, internationalism and diversity is central to who we are and what we do. We are committed to being a cosmopolitan, internationally oriented university that is welcoming to staff and students from all countries, faiths and backgrounds, where you can find the world in one place.
To support this commitment we have our Global Forum, a staff-led network that promotes and celebrates the rich cultural diversity among Essex staff, and our Colchester campus based Faith Centre, which hosts regular services, meetings and events organised by our chaplains and faith representatives.
Please see the attached job pack, which contains a full job description and person specification which outlines the full duties, skills, qualifications and experience needed for this role plus more information relating to the post. We recommend you read this information carefully before making an application. Applications should be made on-line, but if you would like advice or help in making an application, or need information in a different format, please telephone the Resourcing Team (01206 876559).
*More information: Working at the University