At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead initiatives to support underrepresented students' success from pre-entry to employment.
- Company: University of Leeds, committed to diversity and student success.
- Benefits: 42 days holiday, generous pension, health perks, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements available, with potential for visa sponsorship.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in Higher Education and understanding of challenges faced by WP students.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
This role will be based on the university campus, with scope for it to be undertaken in a hybrid manner. We are also open to discussing flexible working arrangements.
Are you interested in supporting the success of undergraduate and postgraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds? Would you like to use your strong strategic and leadership skills to direct student-facing interventions that will help improve the life-chances of our students?
We are seeking a confident and experienced individual to lead the University’s efforts to support the success of undergraduate and postgraduate Widening Participation (WP) students from pre-entry into employment. The role will lead and support across two key areas of the Student Success Centre: The Plus Programme, and Academic Success team.
The Plus Programme scheme comprises financial and on-course support alongside the development of advice and guidance. The aims of the scheme are to attract WP undergraduate and postgraduate students to Leeds and to support them while they are here. The scheme has a particular emphasis on supporting students once they are at Leeds through the creation and delivery of activities designed to improve the retention, attainment and employability of underrepresented students.
The Academic Success team implement our Student Development Coaching initiative in related Faculties in the University, and have priorities rooted in the Access and Student Success Strategy with a particular focus on continuation, progression, and attainment.
This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated individual with excellent strategic and leadership skills. You will also have excellent organisational skills and be willing to work flexibly to ensure that deadlines are met. You should demonstrate strengths derived from working in Higher Education and an understanding of the challenges faced by WP students and students from underrepresented groups at university.
Please note that this post may be suitable for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route but first-time applicants might need to qualify for salary concessions.
What We Offer In Return:
- 26 days holiday plus approx. 16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year!
- Generous pension scheme plus life assurance – the University contributes 14.5% of salary.
- Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.
- Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development.
Student Success Centre Lead Officer employer: University of Leeds
Contact Detail:
University of Leeds Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Student Success Centre Lead Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at the University of Leeds, especially those in similar roles. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just put your name on the hiring manager's radar.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the Plus Programme and Academic Success team. Show us that you understand their goals and how your skills can help improve the life-chances of WP students. Tailor your examples to highlight your strategic and leadership abilities.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend or mentor to do a mock interview with you. This will help you articulate your thoughts clearly and boost your confidence when discussing your experience in Higher Education.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the University of Leeds and supporting underrepresented students.
We think you need these skills to ace Student Success Centre Lead Officer
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. We want to see how you can support our mission to help underrepresented students succeed, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant experience!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: This role is all about strategic direction and leadership. Use your application to demonstrate your past leadership experiences and how they’ve prepared you to lead initiatives that improve student outcomes. We love a confident candidate!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! Keep your language straightforward and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point while still being engaging.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Leeds
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of the role and the Student Success Centre's mission. Familiarise yourself with the Plus Programme and the Academic Success team’s initiatives. This will show your genuine interest and help you articulate how your skills align with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your strategic and leadership abilities. Think about times when you've successfully led projects or teams, especially in a higher education context. Be ready to discuss how you can apply these experiences to support underrepresented students at the University of Leeds.
✨Understand the Challenges
Demonstrate your understanding of the challenges faced by Widening Participation students. Research common barriers they encounter and think about how you can contribute to overcoming these issues. This insight will be crucial in showing your commitment to their success.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This could be about the future direction of the Student Success Centre or how they measure the success of their programmes. Asking questions shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the role is the right fit for you.