Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support students from pre-arrival to graduation, ensuring their success and engagement.
- Company: Join Heriot-Watt University, a diverse and inclusive community focused on student success.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days annual leave, 9 university-closed days, and a competitive salary.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and development in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives and help them thrive during their university journey.
- Qualifications: Honours degree from Heriot-Watt University and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 26707 - 31236 ÂŁ per year.
Grade 5 (ÂŁ26,707-ÂŁ31,236), 1 FTE (full-time): 35 hours per week for 3 years. Benefits include 28 days annual leave plus 9 university-closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday).
Purpose of Role
The Student Success Advisor will join an existing team on a fixed-term contract for a period of 36 months. The role is part of a Global Student Success Advisor team and is a key component of the University’s strategy to improve student retention, focusing on student engagement, identity and belonging. The role spans pre-arrival, induction and transition activities as well as those related to student success, engagement and retention. Advice and support span the entire student lifecycle, not simply supporting students at risk of leaving their studies.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Supporting a wide range of pre-arrival, induction and transition activities.
- Supporting activities related to student success, engagement and retention such as workshops, information sessions and peer support initiatives.
- Early identification of, and initial contact with, students showing signs of being at risk of non-continuation, and providing advice and support to such students.
- Monitoring, highlighting and acting on “at risk” and non-engagement indicators.
- Liaising with key colleagues in Schools (e.g. Personal Tutors, Programme Directors) and Professional Services (Student Counsellors, Advice Hub, Student Union, Student Service Centre, Thinking of Leaving Service, Disability Service) to ensure a proactive, integrated and coherent approach to supporting students.
- Providing advice and support that spans the whole student lifecycle, for example Temporary Suspension of Studies; Mitigating Circumstances; availability of financial and academic support.
- Providing drop-in sessions and appointments for all students.
- Providing targeted support and interventions to designated characteristic student groups, particularly at pre-arrival and transition stages.
- Supporting Schools/Disciplines in the development and delivery of School/discipline specific retention and support initiatives.
- Developing and delivering content for student communications, targeted at specific student groups and for the general student population through a range of media platforms including email, the myHWU Student Portal, social media and print media.
- Progressing any other tasks associated with supporting student success and the work of the Student Wellbeing Services at the Scottish Campuses and equivalent services in Dubai and Malaysia.
- Additional duties may be assigned as required.
Essential Criteria
- Honours degree from Heriot-Watt University (preferably within the last two years).
- Excellent organisational, interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to present effectively to large groups (both students and HWU colleagues).
- Excellent IT skills (particularly MS Office) and ability to use institutional student systems effectively.
- A confident, friendly manner.
Equal Opportunity Statement
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. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all. Heriot-Watt University values diversity across its university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from under-represented groups.
Student Success Advisor-Student Experience in Kilmarnock employer: Heriot-Watt University
Contact Detail:
Heriot-Watt University Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Student Success Advisor-Student Experience in Kilmarnock
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current Student Success Advisors or alumni from your university. They can give you insider tips and might even know about unadvertised roles. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research common questions for Student Success Advisor roles and practice your answers. We recommend using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses. It’ll help you stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! During interviews, highlight your organisational and communication skills with real-life examples. Think of times when you’ve successfully supported others or led a project – this is your chance to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Student Success Advisor-Student Experience in Kilmarnock
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Student Success Advisor. We want to see how you can contribute to improving student retention and engagement, so don’t hold back!
Show Off Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves a lot of interaction with students and colleagues, it’s crucial to demonstrate your excellent communication skills in your written application. Use clear and concise language, and maybe even share an example of how you've effectively communicated in a previous role.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Whether it’s workshops, peer support initiatives, or any other relevant experience, make sure to showcase what you’ve done that relates to supporting student success. We love seeing candidates who have a proactive approach to helping others!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Heriot-Watt University
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Student Success Advisor. Familiarise yourself with the key duties like supporting pre-arrival activities and engaging with students throughout their lifecycle. This will help you demonstrate your enthusiasm and readiness to contribute.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As this role requires excellent interpersonal skills, prepare examples that highlight your ability to communicate effectively. Think about times when you've presented to groups or supported peers, and be ready to discuss how you can apply these skills to enhance student engagement and retention.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
The role involves managing various tasks simultaneously, so be prepared to discuss how you stay organised. Share specific strategies or tools you use to keep track of multiple responsibilities, especially in a fast-paced environment like a university setting.
✨Emphasise Your Teamwork Experience
Collaboration is key in this position, so think of examples where you've worked effectively within a team. Highlight any experience liaising with different departments or supporting diverse groups, as this will show your ability to integrate into the existing team and contribute to a cohesive approach.