At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic Careers team to empower students in securing meaningful employment.
- Company: Join GBS, a forward-thinking higher education provider with a mission to change lives through education.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, flexible benefits, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Diverse, inclusive workplace with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' careers and help shape their futures.
- Qualifications: Experience in leadership and employment programmes, with a passion for student success.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Department: Graduate Employment and Entrepreneurship
Location: Birmingham
Type of Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full Time - 40hrs Per Week
Salary Range: £45,000-£55,000pa
GBS is a higher education provider offering a range of sector-relevant courses across ten campuses in London, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester. Working in partnership with several of the UK’s leading higher education providers, we deliver vocational, undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in finance, accounting, business, construction, tourism, healthcare, and more.
Our Vision: Changing lives through education.
What We Do: The Graduate Employment and Entrepreneurship department at GBS is dedicated to preparing students for successful careers and business ventures. It offers tailored one-to-one guidance, a dynamic online Careers Hub via Handshake, and a structured Employability Award that builds critical job-seeking skills through Bronze to Platinum levels. Students gain practical experience in CV building, networking, and real job applications, including tools like ChatGPT.
The role: The Deputy Head of Careers will assist the Head of Careers provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Careers team members, ensuring their activities align with institutional objectives and industry best practices. The Careers team includes Careers Consultants, Careers Officers, Campus Administrators and Campus Managers. The role requires someone with a passion for driving student success in securing employment, enabling seamless career transitions, and fostering graduate outcomes that meet institutional B3 Progression targets. The primary focus of this role is helping students and recent alumni who are currently unemployed into paid employment and those who have jobs in posts that are SOC 1-3 grade. This will involve creating a range of career support strategies that are contextualised to the individual circumstances of each student, including their ambitions, personal circumstances, programme of study and location. The successful candidate will help lead a diverse, multi-campus team, driving excellence in programme delivery, innovation, and stakeholder engagement while ensuring the highest standards of quality and impact across all initiatives.
Please note, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this position.
What the role involves:
- Strategic Leadership: Work with the Head of Careers to develop and articulate a clear vision and strategic plan for the Careers team, with a clear focus on providing individualised and contextualised support for students.
- Understand and champion the full breadth of employment ambitions and circumstances for all of our students and recent alumni.
- Understand the local, regional and national job markets and contextualise the team’s careers support activities to best align with these.
- Work with the Head of Careers to align the team with institutional B3 goals, particularly around getting students into jobs and progressing to more senior, professional-grade roles.
- Act as an advocate for careers initiatives, promoting their value internally and externally.
- Oversee the support for mandatory placements.
Programme Management:
- Work with the Head of Careers to provide strong leadership, direction, and programme management support to a diverse team across all campuses.
- Work with the Head of Careers to support the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the Careers team activities to ensure consistency and quality of support to students across locations and maximise graduate outcomes for our students and recent alumni.
- Develop, monitor, and report on KPIs to measure the success and impact of the team’s activities, with an emphasis on securing graduate employment outcomes.
Innovation and Continuous Improvement:
- Work with the Head of Careers to lead the development and implementation of innovative approaches to enhance the Careers support available to students and alumni.
- Stay abreast of industry trends, incorporating best practices to maintain the programmes’ competitiveness and relevance.
- Work with the Head of Careers to oversee feedback collection and evaluation processes to drive continuous improvement in rates of professional-level employment for students and alumni.
What Experience/Skills are required:
- Leadership: Experience leading progression, recruitment or employment programmes across multi-campus environments either within the higher education sector or in an industrial setting.
- Data and Performance Analytics: Expertise in using employment data, labour market intelligence, and dashboards to drive institutional decision-making.
- Strategic Change Management: Proven success in implementing large-scale initiatives that transform employment outcomes and support B3 progression metrics.
- External Stakeholder Engagement: Strong track record in building partnerships with employers, professional bodies, and industry networks to enhance student opportunities.
- Innovation in Programme Delivery: Experience designing and implementing innovative progression strategies that improve graduate outcomes and student success.
What We Offer:
- 25 days annual leave, plus 8 public holidays
- 1-day extra leave per year of service, up to a maximum of 5 days
- Workplace pension scheme
- Tuition reimbursement for career development courses
- Flexible Benefits: Cycle to Work, Workplace Nursery, Techscheme and much more
- Perks@Work discounts platform, wellbeing centre and much more
- Reward and recognition programme
- £500 award employee referral scheme
- Discretionary annual performance bonus
GBS is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and providing a workplace free from discrimination or harassment. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities. We take our core values seriously and work hard to create an environment where everyone feels welcomed.
Deputy Head of Careers (Birmingham) employer: GBS UK
GBS is an exceptional employer located in Birmingham, dedicated to transforming lives through education. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer comprehensive benefits including generous annual leave, tuition reimbursement, and a supportive work culture that champions diversity and inclusion. Our commitment to innovation and excellence in career support ensures that our team members thrive while making a meaningful impact on students' futures.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Head of Careers (Birmingham)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in your field. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to alumni or industry professionals. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for interviews by doing mock sessions with friends or mentors. Focus on common questions and tailor your responses to highlight your skills and experiences that align with the role. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, whether in person or virtually, let your enthusiasm for the role and the company shine through. Employers love candidates who are genuinely excited about what they do.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After an interview or networking event, send a quick thank-you email. It shows appreciation and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate your interest in the position!
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Head of Careers (Birmingham)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Deputy Head of Careers role. Highlight your experience in leading teams and driving student success, as well as any relevant achievements that align with our vision of changing lives through education.
Showcase Your Passion:We want to see your enthusiasm for helping students secure employment. Share specific examples of how you've supported career transitions or developed innovative strategies in previous roles. This will help us understand your commitment to our mission.
Be Data-Driven:Since this role involves using data to drive decisions, include any experience you have with performance analytics or labour market intelligence. Demonstrating your ability to use data effectively will set you apart from other candidates.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at GBS UK
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the role of Deputy Head of Careers. Familiarise yourself with GBS's mission and the specific challenges students face in securing employment. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in multi-campus environments. Think about times you've successfully led teams or initiatives that improved student outcomes, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Understand the Job Market
Brush up on current trends in the job market, particularly in Birmingham and the sectors relevant to GBS. Being able to discuss local employment opportunities and how they relate to the students' ambitions will show your commitment to their success.
✨Engage with Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview. This could include inquiries about the team's current strategies or how they measure success. Engaging in a two-way conversation demonstrates your genuine interest in the role and the organisation.
