At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead outreach initiatives and manage impactful projects for social mobility.
- Company: Join a prestigious university committed to equality and community service.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Full-time role with opportunities for growth in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Empower under-represented youth and shape their educational futures.
- Qualifications: Experience in education or charities, strong communication, and project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 39076 - 43909 £ per year.
The Social Mobility and Widening Participation Senior Officer is a vital member of the department. The post-holder will lead on the development, delivery and evaluation of sustained outreach initiatives. They will also be involved in a range of other challenging projects run across the Social Mobility and Widening Participation Department. Currently, this will include our Pre‑16 Programmes King's Scholars and Scholars+, and our strategic partnership with United Learning.
The Equality Act of 2010 protects the rights of our students and staff and provides a framework to fulfil our duties to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and in addition, to advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between those who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. At times, this will include balancing rights and beliefs that can feel in tension. We are committed to free speech and to academic freedom, believing that our foundational purpose as a university is to create spaces where a wide range of ideas, including ideas that are controversial, can be discussed and debated, and where members of our community can express lawful views without fear of intimidation, harassment or discrimination. When engaging in the robust exchange of ideas, we ask that our community is mindful of our Dignity at King's guidance.
Essential criteria
- Relevant work experience and/or education: Relevant work experience might include work in schools, charities or the university sector.
- Relevant educational experiences might include higher education in a related discipline, professional qualifications or other training.
- Experience working or volunteering with children or young people.
- Experience of undertaking and completing projects which require high levels of administrative and organisational skill.
- Ability to communicate complicated and specialist information orally and in writing to team members and programme participants.
- Ability to work with others in a team to deliver project aims and overcome challenges.
- Ability to use initiative and creativity to resolve problems, define clear outcomes for improvement and set out how progress and success will be measured.
- Ability to coach or train others on how to undertake specific tasks and give clear direction on desired outcomes.
- Ability to gather and manipulate data so that it can be interpreted by yourself and others.
- Ability to decide own pattern of work and manage own workload and resources over a long period.
Desirable criteria
- Educated to degree or foundation degree level.
- Understanding of the widening participation agenda and/or the role of higher education in social mobility.
- Experience overseeing budgets and undertaking financial administration.
The King's community is dedicated to the service of society. King's Strategic Vision 2029 sets out our vision for the future, shaped around five priority areas: educate to inspire and improve; research to inform and innovate; serve to shape and transform; a civic university at the heart of London; and an international community that services the world. Our ambitious Education Strategy sets out the actions that we must take to transform how we teach, how and where our students learn and how we support them during their time with us.
Within the Social Mobility & Widening Participation Department we believe all young people should be able to have high expectations for their future. This means equal access to education and career opportunities. We run programmes that aim to empower young people from under‑represented backgrounds to access and succeed at university. We are part of the Students & Education Directorate, a collection of wide-ranging professional services in place to support King's students and their education. As a directorate we manage the student lifecycle from application to graduation and beyond, to ensure a coherent and seamless student experience and effective administrative processes, working closely with King's faculties to do so.
At King's, we believe that the diversity of our community and a culture that is welcoming, open, inclusive and collaborative, are great strengths of the university. This is an exciting opportunity for candidates looking for a career with social impact, and who wish to utilise their skills and expertise in working with young people. This is an opportunity to grow your skills in project management and stakeholder engagement. We encourage applications from candidates who have experience from both within and outside of the Higher Education sector where they can demonstrate the skills needed to succeed in this role.
This is a full time post (35 hours per week).
X1 Permanent position
X1 Fixed term position until March 2027, Grade and Salary: £39,076 to £43,909 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance
Job ID: 154865
Social Mobility and Widening Participation Senior Officer employer: Kings College London
At King's College London, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. As a Senior Engineering Education Technician, you will have the opportunity to contribute to a vibrant academic environment while enjoying comprehensive benefits and professional development opportunities that support your growth. Located in the heart of London, our Strand Campus offers a dynamic setting where you can make a meaningful impact on students' educational journeys.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Mobility and Widening Participation Senior Officer
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Kings College London.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Kings College London!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Kings College London, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Kings College London or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Mobility and Widening Participation Senior Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Kings College London:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Kings College London! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kings College London
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
