At a Glance
- Tasks: Support students' academic success through engagement, monitoring, and tailored assistance.
- Company: Join Victoria College of Arts and Design, a leader in arts and creative education.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, pension schemes, discounts, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while working in a vibrant, supportive environment.
- Qualifications: A degree or equivalent experience, strong communication skills, and a passion for student success.
- Other info: Full-time role with flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as needed.
The predicted salary is between 22000 - 26000 Β£ per year.
Company: Victoria College of Arts and Design
Position: Student Engagement Officer
Location: ON-SITE, London Borough and Harbour Exchange Campuses
Salary: Β£26,000 to Β£29,000
Hours : Full Time: 9am β 5pm, Monday-Friday (plus rostered evening and weekend shifts as reasonably required)
Department: Student Services
Reporting to: Student Engagement Manager
About us
Victoria College of Arts and Design (VCAD) provides higher education teaching and learning in the arts, design, creative industries and business fields. Our goal is to guide and support our students on their journey to becoming successful individuals and citizens. We strive to offer the best services and resources available to ensure that our students are well-prepared for graduate-level employment within the creative industries or any other aspect of the world of work. From enrolment to graduation, we are dedicated to nurturing our students\β growth, fostering their creative and critical skills and equipping them with the confidence and abilities needed to excel in a professional environment. Whether through the dedication of our lecturers and support staff, our outstanding facilities, or our network of industry connections, VCAD is committed to helping and mentoring our students so that they achieve their personal goals and build themselves sustainable and fulfilling careers.
Position Overview:
VCAD is looking for a proactive and dedicated Student Engagement Officer (SEO) to join our vibrant team across our London campuses. The SEO will play a key part in providing an exceptional academic experience by focusing on attendance, submissions and engagement. They will provide tailored support to address barriers to academic progress, ensuring students remain motivated, engaged and on track.
The ideal candidate will possess strong communication and organisational skills, along with a passion for student success. The SEO will collaborate closely with lecturers and support services to monitor student progress, identify areas for intervention and help drive high retention rates. This role is integral to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where students feel connected, empowered and equipped to succeed at VCAD.
Responsibilities:
- Maintain consistent communication and accurately record interactions with students via email, phone and in-person, ensuring timely responses while maintaining professional boundaries.
- Monitor, track and analyse student attendance, submissions and engagement, proactively intervening to address disengagement.
- Support students\β academic development by conducting trainings and workshops on IT, organisational and study skills.
- Direct students to appropriate support services, collaborating with various departments to ensure a comprehensive approach to student success.
- Offer guidance on academic regulations, mitigating circumstances and processes for interruptions, deferrals and withdrawals.
- Organise and participate in support sessions to address student concerns, offering personalised guidance and assistance.
- Drive improvements in attendance rates, academic progression and overall student satisfaction.
- Compile and submit weekly reports on student progress, attendance trends, challenges and interventions, covering areas such as submissions, retention, and potential risks.
- Take minutes and maintain up-to-date weekly reports, ensuring timely and accurate documentation.
- Assist with administrative processes including enrolment/induction and provide suggestions for improvement.
- Uphold confidentiality, sharing information only when necessary and in line with institutional policies.
- Support other duties as directed by the Student Engagement Manager or Head of Student Experience and Outcome.
Requirements:
Essential / Desirable: (E) (D)
(where required, training and professional development will be provided to the successful applicant by VCAD, to facilitate their ability to deliver the responsibilities of this role to an excellent standard)
- Bachelorβs degree, or equivalent professional experience. (E)
- Strong commitment to service delivery with experience in student or academic administration within higher education. (D)
- Excellent customer service and communication skills, with the ability to build strong relationships. (E)
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including active listening and effective written and verbal communication. (E)
- Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to work in a face paced environment to manage competing demands while meeting deadlines. (E)
- Flexible, approachable and an excellent team player. (E)
- High degree of accuracy and attention to detail. (E)
- Strong IT skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel for data management and reporting, and familiarity with student management systems. (E)
- Ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality and maintain appropriate boundaries. (E)
- Commitment to upholding the values and policies of VCAD and partner universities. (E)
Benefits:
- Annual leave (7.2 weeks including bank holidays)
- Workplace pension scheme.
- Company Sick Policy.
- Statutory maternity/paternity pays.
- Career development opportunities
- Training and self-development opportunities.
- Gym membership discounts
- Retail discount schemes
- Cinema discounts
- Grocery discounts
- Cycle to work
- Investing and savings opportunities
- Financial wellbeing β personal debt advise.
- Financial wellbeing education
- My Mind Pal (mental fitness)
If you are passionate about supporting students in their academic journey and have the skills and experience required for this role, we encourage you to apply.
Join our team at Victoria College of Arts and Design and help make a positive impact on the lives of our students.
Student Engagement Officer employer: Victoria College of Arts and Design
Contact Detail:
Victoria College of Arts and Design Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Student Engagement Officer
β¨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges students face in higher education, especially in creative fields. Understanding these issues will help you demonstrate your empathy and ability to support students effectively during interviews.
β¨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former Student Engagement Officers or similar roles within educational institutions. They can provide valuable insights into the day-to-day responsibilities and expectations of the role, which you can leverage in your discussions.
β¨Tip Number 3
Showcase your organisational skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed multiple tasks or projects in a fast-paced environment. This will highlight your ability to handle the demands of the role effectively.
β¨Tip Number 4
Research VCAD's values and mission statement thoroughly. Tailor your conversations to reflect how your personal values align with theirs, demonstrating your commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for students.
We think you need these skills to ace Student Engagement Officer
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in student engagement or academic administration. Emphasise your communication skills and any previous roles where you supported students or worked in a team environment.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for student success and detail how your skills align with the responsibilities of the Student Engagement Officer role. Use specific examples to demonstrate your commitment to service delivery and your ability to build relationships.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Clearly outline your organisational and time management skills, especially if you have experience managing multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment. Mention your proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, as this is crucial for data management and reporting.
Showcase Your Understanding of VCAD: Research Victoria College of Arts and Design and mention their values and mission in your application. Demonstrating an understanding of their commitment to student support will show that you are genuinely interested in the role and the institution.
How to prepare for a job interview at Victoria College of Arts and Design
β¨Show Your Passion for Student Success
Make sure to express your genuine enthusiasm for supporting students in their academic journey. Share specific examples of how you've helped students overcome challenges or improve their engagement in previous roles.
β¨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
Since the role requires excellent communication, prepare to showcase your ability to build relationships. You might want to discuss how youβve effectively communicated with students or colleagues in the past, highlighting your active listening skills.
β¨Be Ready to Discuss Organisational Skills
The position demands strong organisational abilities. Be prepared to talk about how you manage competing priorities and deadlines, perhaps by sharing a specific instance where your time management made a difference in a project or task.
β¨Familiarise Yourself with VCAD's Values
Research Victoria College of Arts and Design and understand its mission and values. During the interview, align your answers with their commitment to student success and inclusivity, showing that you are a good cultural fit for the team.