Deputy Head of Careers (Hockley)
Deputy Head of Careers (Hockley)

Deputy Head of Careers (Hockley)

Hockley +1 Full-Time 45000 - 55000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Go Premium
G

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 leave, flexible benefits, and a supportive work environment.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to innovation and continuous improvement.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives by guiding them towards successful careers.
  • Qualifications: Proven leadership experience and a passion for student success are essential.

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 involves assisting the Head of Careers in providing 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.

Locations

Hockley Essex

Deputy Head of Careers (Hockley) 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 for career development, and a supportive work culture that champions diversity and inclusion. Our commitment to innovation and excellence in student outcomes ensures that our team members are empowered to make a meaningful impact while advancing their careers in a dynamic environment.
G

Contact Detail:

GBS UK Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Deputy Head of Careers (Hockley)

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in your industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to alumni or professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!

✨Tip Number 2

Practice makes perfect! Before any interview, do some mock interviews with friends or mentors. This will help you get comfortable with common questions and refine your answers. Plus, it’s a great way to boost your confidence!

✨Tip Number 3

Tailor your approach! When applying for jobs, make sure to customise your pitch for each role. Highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the position. This shows employers that you’re genuinely interested and have done your homework.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up! After an interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a simple gesture that can leave a lasting impression and keep you top of mind for the hiring team.

We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Head of Careers (Hockley)

Strategic Leadership
Programme Management
Data and Performance Analytics
External Stakeholder Engagement
Innovation in Programme Delivery
Understanding of Labour Market Intelligence
Experience in Higher Education Sector
Change Management
Building Partnerships with Employers
Career Support Strategy Development
Monitoring and Reporting on KPIs
Driving Student Success
Team Leadership
Continuous Improvement

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 relevant experience in leading teams and driving student success, as this is what we’re all about at StudySmarter.

Showcase Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for helping students secure employment shine through. We want to see how you can contribute to our vision of changing lives through education, so share any personal stories or experiences that fuel your passion.

Be Data-Driven: Since the role involves using data to drive decisions, don’t forget to mention any experience you have with performance analytics or labour market intelligence. We love candidates who can back up their strategies with solid data!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining the StudySmarter 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. Understand the key responsibilities and how they align with the institution's goals. Familiarise yourself with the local job market and the specific challenges students face in securing employment.

✨Show Your Leadership Skills

Be ready to discuss your experience in leading teams and driving successful employment programmes. Prepare examples that highlight your strategic thinking and ability to innovate in programme delivery. This is your chance to showcase how you can inspire and manage a diverse team.

✨Engage with the Interviewers

Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the department's current initiatives and future plans. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the organisation aligns with your values and career aspirations.

✨Demonstrate Data Savvy

Since the role involves using data to drive decisions, be prepared to discuss your experience with performance analytics. Share specific examples of how you've used data to improve employment outcomes or inform strategic changes in previous roles.

Deputy Head of Careers (Hockley)
GBS UK
Location: Hockley
Go Premium

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

>