Careers and Employability Consultant

Full time, Open ended

The closing date for applications is midnight on Wednesday 01 March 2023
Interviews are expected to take place on Monday 03 April 2023

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK

For the purposes of sponsorship, this is a role under SOC code 3564

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity

To work as a member of the Careers and Employability Service to provide high quality careers education, information, advice and guidance to students, graduates, and postgraduates. To contribute to the University’s strategic aims by undertaking the following duties and responsibilities.

This role is based in the Careers and Employability Service, with a presence in academic faculties. There will be travel for training, business engagement and other projects and activities deemed appropriate by the Deputy Head of Careers and Employability Service necessary for the role.

Work in partnership and close collaboration with designated Faculty to:

• Take an overview of needs of the Faculty and use initiative and provide leadership & vision on development and delivery of employability in that area
• Plan, design, deliver & evaluate embedded and co-curricular careers education activities
• Work with Faculty staff to support students & graduates to develop students’ employability skills
• Assist with sourcing placements
• Assist with organising Faculty events & sourcing speakers / attendees
• Communicate and promote joint events and initiatives for student & graduates

Maintain strong relationships with Faculty staff, have visibility in Faculty

To provide careers guidance & respond to quick queries 1:1s with students, graduates, & postgraduates

Contribute to production of comprehensive, high quality, bespoke careers information including online resources, and newsletters

Contribute to planning, design, and delivery of careers education activities centrally in Careers & Employability Service

Maintain a detailed professional knowledge of graduate labour market by:

• Building & maintaining relationships with contacts from relevant employers from graduate recruiters to SMEs(networking; cold calling; working alone and in partnerships with services and faculties to develop relationships with businesses)
• Taking part in a range of business engagement activities
• Networking with existing & potential employers
• Promoting the University and its graduates to employers
• Taking responsibility for researching and sourcing opportunities in sectors which are of particular significance for the Faculty
• Desk research, attending training & events relevant to the Faculty
• Share and disseminate findings with colleagues in Careers & Employability Service and University

Gather and maintain appropriate records and evaluation to contribute to development of effective management information relevant to the work of Careers & Employability Service:

• Analyse and use data, statistical evidence, and evaluation to contribute to the positive impact of service
• Includes analysing graduate destinations and career readiness statistics to tailor careers education and events to specific cohorts of students. Deliver presentations and report to relevant committees

Contribute to delivery of credit bearing modules

Undertake relevant CPD opportunities, maintain and improve knowledge and skills as required, including:

• Relevant professional qualifications (e.g. Qualification in Careers Guidance, Higher Education Academy Fellowship)
• Personal development opportunities
• Annual peer-review activities and contribute to CES professional practice group to keep up-to-date with guidance practice and pedagogy
• Visiting employers (minimum 3 per year), to keep up to date on developments in the graduate labour market and in recruitment trends

Proactively contribute to development and implementation of Careers & Employability Service strategy and operational plan, and University’s Employability Strategy, and undertake service development activities:

• Contribute to wider University projects and initiatives supporting objectives

For a full list of duties please see the attached Further Particulars.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent
• Postgraduate careers guidance qualification or recognised equivalent (ie QCG, NVQ Level 4 in Advice and Guidance)

Knowledge & Experience

• Understanding of contemporary practice in careers education, Information, advice, and guidance
• Experience workingin careers guidance, graduate recruitment, or other comparable area
• Experience in designing/delivering group based learning for small and large groups, and interactive hybrid / online learning

Skills & Attributes

• Ability to communicate, establish and maintain effective partnership working with colleagues at all levels within the Service / University
• Experience of networking and actively engaging with the business community (small, medium, and large employers/private, public and third sector)
• Commitment to team work
• Excellent organisational, planning and evaluation skills
• Effective time management and the ability to work flexibly on several projects simultaneously
• Ability to manage distinct projects
• Ability to analyse employability data, conduct research into the labour market and understand the skills environment
• IT literacy including use of the full Microsoft Office suite (Teams, Word, SharePoint, PowerPoint, Excel); VLEs (e.g. Canvas, Blackboard); relevant CRM/student databases (e.g. Target Connect); and social media
• Commitment to working with diverse groups within the student body, and ensuring activities and information are fully accessible to all.
• Use initiative and have an innovative and developmental approach to work

Qualifications

• BPS Level A qualified or equivalent
• Associate HEA Fellowship

Knowledge & Experience

• An up to date knowledge of the higher education sector
• An understanding of current careers and employability research and practice in the higher education sector

The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.

Student, Academic and Corporate Services (SACS) provides effective, proactive and professional services that support the achievement of the University’s strategic ambitions. We:

• put students' needs at the centre of everything we do; enhance the student journey via focused engagement, support and development opportunities;
• work in active partnership with our students, faculties, senior management team, professional services and external stakeholders to achieve our institutional ambitions;
• lead, support and facilitate the University's performance through effective strategic planning, governance and continuous improvement.

The directorate has a key role in developing and supporting the delivery of the University’s ambitious strategic plan and improving the student experience. SACS is led by the Deputy Secretary and is comprised of four divisional groups, each led by a member of the SACS senior team that work together to deliver integrated services across the University.

The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe – addressing real issues, providing solutions and helping to shape society. Stirling is 4thin Scotland and 43rdin the UK for research impact, with 87% of its research having an outstanding or very considerable impact on society – and more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021). Interdisciplinary in its approach, Stirling’s research informs its teaching curriculum and facilitates opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration between staff, students, industry partners and the wider community.

The University of Stirling is ranked among the top 30 UK universities for student satisfaction (National Student Survey) and top 10 in the UK for postgraduate student experience (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey), and has an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings.

More than 17,000 students study with the University of Stirling globally, with over 120 nationalities represented on its scenic central Scotland campus alone. The campus – also home to 1,700 staff – has its own loch and castle, and a recent multi-million-pound redevelopment has delivered modern, flexible, and digitally connected study and social spaces at the heart of campus, including enhanced student support and retail and catering outlets.

The University has twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize – the first for its Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and the second for its Institute of Aquaculture (2019). Stirling is Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence and its recently redeveloped world-class facilities provide the perfect training environment for the University’s sports scholars – many of whom compete at the highest level, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games – and for students, staff, and the wider community.

As a signatory to the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal, the University is driving productivity and inclusive growth across the Forth Valley, and beyond. Through pioneering collaborative solutions to global challenges, researchers are putting innovation, skills, and partnership at the heart of a sustainable economic recovery.
www.stir.ac.uk@stiruni