Careers Consultant

Grade and Salary: Grade 7, £37,694 - £47,389 per annum FTE and working pattern: Full-time (35hrs per week) Fixed-term (12 months).

Reward and Benefits: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days for all full time staff.

About our Team: The Global Registry and Academic Support Directorate supports our students and staff colleagues across the full student lifecycle from enrolment through to graduation. The Directorate has responsibility as the definitive record-keeper of all student information and programme and course details and providing services that help students settle and succeed at the University with professional help and advice through a range of well-being services.

Purpose of Role: To contribute to the implementation of the University’s strategic aims by providing a range of professional career education and guidance services to client groups of undergraduate and postgraduate students, online learners and graduates to enhance their employability.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide high quality careers information, advice, guidance (CIAG) and coaching to students and graduates to help them fulfil their career potential.
• Deliver central and School based careers education sessions to a wide range of students and graduates.
• Work proactively in support of the Service’s Employer Engagement Strategy.
• Represent the University at events such as careers fairs and other events.
• Maintain an in-depth current knowledge of career options, routes, labour market trends and employers.
• Use information technology to its full potential in delivering, developing and supporting service provision.
• Gather, analyse and use user feedback evidence to make improvements to the service.
• Contribute to the maintenance of agreed quality standards and external quality accreditation.
• Maintain appropriate statistical records to contribute to the development of effective management information relevant to the work of the service.
• Engage in continuous development of professional practice.

Person Specification:

Essential:

• Educated to first degree level or equivalent AND a Postgraduate professional careers guidance qualification or nationally recognised equivalent.
• Experience of working in careers guidance within a Higher Education institution.
• Minimum of 3 years proven relevant experience of providing effective careers guidance services.
• Up to date knowledge of theories underpinning the practice of careers education, information, advice and guidance/coaching.
• Strong IT skills and the ability to research, analyse and present complex information effectively.
• Understanding of graduate career paths and the UK graduate recruitment market.
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing and presentation skills.
• Strong client focus and commitment to delivering a high-quality service.
• Demonstrable ability to work quickly, flexibly and accurately.
• High level organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

Desirable:

• Experience of developing and using online resources to support career development.
• Sound knowledge of the Higher Education sector and current issues surrounding employability.

Special Factors: Requirement to work at weekends or out of hours when necessary.

About Heriot-Watt University: Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups.