At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic Careers team to enhance student employability and career success.
- Company: GBS, a leading higher education provider with multiple campuses across the UK.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, pension scheme, tuition reimbursement, and flexible benefits.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equality, diversity, and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' careers while driving innovation in employability support.
- Qualifications: Experience in leadership, data analytics, and stakeholder engagement in education or industry.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
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 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. You will 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.
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, focusing on providing individualised and contextualised support for students. - Understand and champion the full breadth of employment ambitions and circumstances for all 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.
- 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
Provide strong leadership, direction, and programme management support to a diverse team across all campuses. - 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.
- 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
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.
- 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 more discounts platform, wellbeing centre and more
- Reward and recognition programme
- £500 award for 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 in London employer: GBS
Contact Detail:
GBS Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Head of Careers in London
✨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
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or a personal website showcasing your work and achievements. This is especially useful for roles in creative fields or positions where tangible results matter. It gives employers a clear picture of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources and job listings tailored just for you. Plus, it’s a great way to stay updated on new opportunities and career support initiatives we offer at StudySmarter.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Head of Careers in London
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 leadership experience and how it aligns with our vision of changing lives through education.
Showcase Your Data Skills: Since data and performance analytics are key, don’t forget to mention any relevant experience you have in using employment data or labour market intelligence. We love seeing how you can drive decision-making!
Demonstrate Stakeholder Engagement: We’re looking for someone who can build partnerships with employers and industry networks. Share examples of how you've successfully engaged with external stakeholders in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: To make sure your application gets the attention it deserves, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to see your enthusiasm for joining the GBS team!
How to prepare for a job interview at GBS
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into GBS's mission and values. Understand their approach to careers support and how they align with your vision for the Deputy Head of Careers role. This will help you articulate how your experience can contribute to their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in multi-campus environments. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully led teams, implemented innovative programmes, and improved employment outcomes in previous roles.
✨Data is Key
Familiarise yourself with employment data and labour market trends relevant to the higher education sector. Be prepared to discuss how you would use this data to drive decision-making and enhance the Careers team's impact on student success.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you can build partnerships with employers and industry networks. Prepare to share your strategies for engaging external stakeholders and how these relationships can benefit GBS students in their career journeys.