At a Glance
- Tasks: Support students through complex situations and provide impartial advice on academic and housing matters.
- Company: Join a dynamic, student-focused organisation dedicated to enhancing university experiences.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 35 days annual leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive team culture on a stunning green campus.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while shaping a better university experience.
- Qualifications: Experience in advice, advocacy, or complex casework support is essential.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Location: University of Reading, Whiteknights Campus, Reading, Berkshire
Salary: Pro rata salary £18,774.88 per annum (based on full-time equivalent of £31,291.46)
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 21 hours per week, 0.6 FTE, worked over 3 days
Closing Date for this role is 28th September 2026.
Make a real difference to students when they need it most.
About Reading Students’ Union
We are a dynamic, student-focused organisation dedicated to empowering students and enhancing their university experience. Our vision is to be a place for everyone, we inspire and empower students to change the world.
Are you passionate about supporting people through complex situations and helping them achieve the best possible outcomes? We're looking for an experienced, empathetic and solutions-focused advisor to join our Student Advocacy team.
As a Senior Advisor, you will provide independent, confidential and impartial advice to students across a range of academic and housing matters. You'll help students understand their rights, navigate University procedures, make informed decisions and access the support they need to succeed.
This is an exciting opportunity to combine specialist advice work with wider service improvement, using your expertise and insight to help shape a better student experience across the University.
What You'll Do
- Manage a varied caseload, support students through complex processes, identify emerging issues affecting students and contribute to service development, campaigns and proactive support initiatives.
- Deliver independent, confidential and impartial advice across academic and housing matters.
- Manage cases from initial enquiry through to resolution, ensuring students receive timely and effective support.
- Help students understand their rights, responsibilities and available options.
- Support students navigating complaints, academic appeals, disciplinary procedures and other University processes.
- Assist students with housing matters, including rights, responsibilities, disputes and contract checking.
- Support students preparing for meetings, hearings and formal procedures.
- Make appropriate referrals to specialist services where additional support is required.
- Adapt support to meet individual student needs and remove barriers to accessing services.
- Contribute to outreach, engagement and preventative advice activities.
- Develop resources, workshops and guidance that help students avoid common issues and access support earlier.
- Work with colleagues to identify opportunities for proactive interventions.
- Support campaigns and initiatives informed by emerging student concerns and advice trends.
- Help students develop the confidence and knowledge to make informed decisions.
- Maintain accurate, timely and confidential case records.
- Ensure compliance with data protection requirements, service standards and relevant regulations.
- Apply policies, procedures and professional judgement consistently across all casework.
- Identify and escalate safeguarding concerns, significant risks and complex issues appropriately.
- Contribute to quality assurance, reflective practice and continuous improvement activities.
- Support the successful retention of the Advice Quality Standard certification.
- Keep knowledge up to date through ongoing professional development and training.
- Identify recurring issues, emerging trends and systemic barriers affecting students.
- Record and analyse casework information to inform service improvements.
- Share evidence and insights with colleagues to support campaigns, outreach and organisational decision-making.
- Contribute to reporting on student outcomes, service demand and impact.
- Help shape responses to student issues through evidence-based recommendations.
- Evaluate proactive support activities and use learning to improve future services.
- Develop effective relationships with University departments, external agencies and specialist organisations.
- Act as a trusted source of professional advice expertise across the Students' Union.
- Contribute to organisational projects and initiatives that support students and enhance the student experience.
- Collaborate with colleagues to ensure a joined-up and effective support service.
About You
- Relevant advice qualification or equivalent professional experience.
- Significant experience providing advice, advocacy or complex casework support.
- Experience managing a varied caseload from initial enquiry through to resolution.
- Ability to explain complex policies, procedures and information in a clear and accessible way.
- Experience supporting individuals through challenging situations while maintaining professional boundaries.
- Strong casework problem-solving skills with the ability to exercise professional judgement.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines effectively.
- Experience maintaining accurate, confidential and compliant records.
- Strong understanding of the principles of independent, impartial and confidential advice.
- Ability to identify patterns and emerging issues through casework and communicate their broader significance.
- Experience building effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Strong organisational, administrative and digital skills, including Microsoft 365.
- Student-focused, resilient, collaborative and committed to achieving positive outcomes.
Desirable
- Experience providing advice in academic, housing, money or debt matters.
- Knowledge of Higher Education policies, procedures and student casework.
- Experience supporting individuals through formal complaints, appeals or hearings.
- Experience within a Students' Union, Higher Education, charity or advice organisation.
- Knowledge of housing rights and issues affecting student renters.
- Experience contributing to outreach, workshops, campaigns or preventative support initiatives.
- Relevant qualification in advice, law, housing, welfare or a related field.
- Experience with using case management software.
Why Join Us?
- Inclusive and supportive team culture.
- Flexible working options.
- 35 days’ annual leave including Christmas and Easter closure days.
- Professional development opportunities.
- Meaningful work that directly improves students' lives.
- Unique working environment in the heart of a vibrant Students' Union, set on a stunning, green campus.
Ready to make a difference when students need support most? Apply today.
Committed to equality, celebrating diversity, and embedding sustainability, building an inclusive workplace and a brighter future for all.
Senior Advisor in Reading employer: Reading Students' Union
Reading Students' Union is an exceptional employer that prioritises a supportive and inclusive work culture, offering flexible working options and 35 days of annual leave. Employees benefit from professional development opportunities and the chance to engage in meaningful work that directly impacts students' lives, all within a vibrant environment on the beautiful University of Reading campus.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Advisor in Reading
✨Get Involved Locally
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Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Reading Students' Union.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Reading Students' Union.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Advisor in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Reading Students' Union. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
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Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Reading Students' Union
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Reading Students' Union. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
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Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
