Director of Careers & Employability Service

Transcription

1 Director of Careers & Employability Service

2 Contents A message from the Registrar CES...5 Student Operations & Support...6 Job Description...7 Person Specification...11 Terms and Conditions...13 Timetable...14 Recruitment Process...14 Queries...14 How to apply...15 Equal Opportunities Classification Form...16

3 A message from the Registrar Dear Applicant I am delighted that you have expressed an interest in leading our award-winning Careers team and in making a positive difference to the lives of our students and graduates. Our previous Director, Stephen McAuliffe, has moved following four extremely successful years as the Director of Careers & Employability Services. We are now looking for someone to continue the transformation of our careers service. The has an excellent track record in supporting our students in their transition from university to the first steps of their career. We have received numerous awards and national recognition from the Association of Graduate Recruiters, the National Council for Work Experience, the Times Higher, the National Association of Colleges and Employers and the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services. If you want to add to our success, we are looking for a talented individual with an entrepreneurial flair who is hard-working and driven to embrace the challenges of the changing employability agenda in higher education. Our position is strong but we want to make it stronger. An additional annual investment of 1 million has been invested into the service. This unprecedented move has led to the creation of 22 jobs dedicated to delivering our services in partnership with our academic schools. We will be centrally managed, but work on jointly conceived strategies, delivering our services as closely as possible to the specific needs of schools in supporting their students and alumni. By retaining central management we can enjoy the benefits of being one of the largest and most wellresourced services in the UK higher education and the only services that stands astride global labour markets with team members working in China and Malaysia. If you are excited by the opportunity and challenge that this role presents, and are keen to play a leading role in shaping the future success of the and the Careers & Employability Service, then we look forward to hearing from you. You can speak to our advising consultants at Veredus: Paul Aristides on or Ed Pritchard on Further details including the strategic plan can be found on the Veredus website 3

4 A world leading university The, described by the Sunday Times University Guide 2011 as the embodiment of the modern international university, has award-winning campuses in the UK, China and Malaysia. It is ranked in the UK s top 10 and the World s Top 75 universities by the Shanghai Jiao Tong (SJTU) and the QS World University Rankings, placing it in the top 1% of all universities worldwide. In 2011, the University climbed the rankings published in the Complete University Guide, The Guardian University Guide and The Times Good University Guide. The University provides innovative and high quality teaching, undertakes world-changing research, and attracts talented staff and students from 150 nations. Described by the Times as the nearest Britain has to a truly global university, Nottingham has invested continuously in award-winning international campuses. Twice since 2003 our research and teaching academics have won Nobel Prizes, The University has also won the Queen s Awards for Enterprise in both 2006 (International Trade) and 2007 (Innovation School of Pharmacy), and was named Entrepreneurial University of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards

5 Our new structure and overarching strategy The substantial investment in the Careers team will take the department to just over 50 UK based staff working with a student body of over 37,000. There are a further 8,000 students at our two Asia campuses in Ningbo, China and just outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Over the past year the Service has reflected upon its delivery and devised, with the help of a number of our academic schools, a new method for delivering our services based around Employability Partnership Agreements (EPAs). An EPA contains a review of the management data related to employment outcomes and consideration of the labour market. This helps to shape the intentions of the school and the Service so that we can then devise an action plan to better support that particular academic school and its students. This jointly conceived agreement is the basis for our delivery to the school and outlines responsibilities and delivery targets based on comparator student groups or institutions. It also provides a straightforward way to assess our activity. Each EPA is signed off by the Director and overseen by a careers consultant, who will lead a faculty team. Working with each careers consultant will be a careers adviser, an employability officer and an employability education projects officer. Each EPA will be different and activities will vary from school to school and from faculty to faculty. (Each academic school is a member of one of five faculties). Priorities may change, potentially leading to redeployment of resources. This requires tact and diplomacy, together with a thorough command of the underlying management data. Colleagues responsible for delivery will be aligned as closely as possible to the school activity, ensuring that Careers service usage is second nature to school staff. Staff fall into two groups: (a) those grouped by faculty to deliver the schools EPAs, and (b) those working centrally on specific activity detailed in an EPA as well as delivering our core services across the whole institution. This combined approach is vital in order to maintain and enhance our services to students and alumni. One role embedded within the Students Union and plan another to work with the University s Widening Participation team to develop a range of services. Developing international relationships with employers is crucial for informing our practice through the EPAs and for developing graduate employment opportunities. Our global labour market team will build on existing work within this area. With two of the four roles in this team based overseas, the international perspective becomes a core element of our work. Undergraduate 5

6 Student Operations & Support Organisational Structure Director of Student Operations & Support Head of Access and Communities Head of Student Services Director Careers and Employability Services Head of Accommodation Services Director of Sport 6

7 Job Description Job Title: Department: Director, Careers and Employability Service Registrar s, (Student Operations and Support Division) Job Family and Level: Level 7 Contract Status: Hours of Work: Location: Reporting to: Permanent Full Time UK campuses Director, Student Operations and Support Division Purpose of the Role: The Careers and Employability Service has been transformed over the past five years from a strong team to one that is now sector-leading with national recognition through awards, a position as the fourth most targeted institution by employers in the UK, and a track record of achieving external funding. This success has led, by design, to a new and sizable investment taking the staff complement to 54 and the annual non-pay budget to over 400k. With teams operating in China, Malaysia and the UK, the focus is on delivery with academic schools and excellence in central University provision. The University has approved a distributed model for delivery that is centrally managed, jointly conceived and locally delivered. This investment also marks the closure of the first substantial stage of change and a move to the next phase, for which the University seeks a new Director to take this agreed strategy forward. The importance of Employability, and specifically employment outcomes, requires a focus on transparency, value, output and impact. The successful candidate will be a member of University senior management and as such is asked to contribute to a variety of strategies and agendas and to drive collaborative and effective partnerships across the entire institution. To achieve our desired aims the successful candidate will need to demonstrate flexibility, leadership and entrepreneurial flair in engaging across stakeholder groups in the UK and also internationally. The Director of the Careers and Employability Service is responsible for the strategic and professional leadership of the service and the delivery of the highest quality careers education, information and guidance. The Director also looks for opportunities to enhance profile internally and externally and, working closely with other leading providers in the University, seeks to contribute to the development of new co-curricular offerings, including modules intended to enhance student skills and employability. The overriding aim is to build on the current position of a service that is considered by employers as among the very best in UK HE to one that sustains a top ten DLHE position on overall graduate employment and is demonstrably the very best against a range of other measures. 7

8 Main Responsibilities 1. The Service Provide strategic leadership and management of the Service, within and to an agreed budget, to ensure the delivery of high quality service to a diverse community of students, our graduates, to employers and to institutional colleagues. Lead development, delivery and evaluation of the services provided by the Service. Seek best value and efficiency in all aspects of delivery 2. Leadership and engagement Set service strategy, chairing the service Leadership Team and direct line management of the two most senior staff (Deputy Director and Associate Director). Lead, manage and develop the Service s staff so that they are equipped for and enthusiastic about the challenges related to all aspects of careers education and employer engagement. Create and lead a team that is in the first rank of best practice in the UK as recognised by peers and employers. Work in collaboration with other relevant parts of the University to promote the University, our students and our alumni to industry, commerce, government and other associated bodies. Engage with academic Schools and represent the Service internally to academics, University management and University committees, ensuring the appropriate interaction with the international campuses. Ensure professional approaches are valued and developed further, basing those approaches within the context of the needs of the University of Nottingham as a whole 3. Provision Develop the Service s provision, pre-empting changes in our operating environment, in policy, in technology, in student and employer expectations and in professional practice; including development of provision specifically aimed at international students. Play a leading role in the University s programme for skills and employability development to ensure that our graduates are able to make the best use of their talents in the competition for graduate employment and postgraduate study. % time per year 10% 30% 25% 4. Operations, governance and accountability Ensure that the service is accountable to the University community by providing the link to University Council (via the Careers and Employability Forum) and to outside bodies including through management of the collection of DLHE data, its analysis and effective internal use. 20% 8

9 Determine and implement the strategy for quality assurance including oversight of the Services Quality Manual, plans for evaluating user feedback, and continuous quality improvement, and arrangements for external accreditation. Support the work of colleagues at the University s Malaysia and Ningbo, China campuses (this will include travel to those countries on an annual/biennial basis together with regular video conference engagement). 5. Other activities Produce and present strategic annual reports on the graduate labour market and the destinations of Nottingham graduates, and on the activities and performance of the Service. Collaborate with other parts of the University on projects where the skills and experience of the Division can provide effective support. Seek to extend the potential for income generation from commercial users of our services, and from other sources including bids for project funding, in order to enhance the quality of our services. Other duties as may be assigned by the Registrar, Management Board and/or the Director of Student Operations and Support. 15% Key Competencies Leading, managing and developing others Achieving and delivery Personal effectiveness Communicates a vision which generates excitement and enthusiasm Expects and encourages high performance from all team members Creates a working environment where creativity is the norm and is rewarded and supported Challenges established norms or professional practice in order to focus on output and delivery to meet the University s needs Is prepared to admit when things go wrong and learn from past experiences Reassures others after a set back and helps people to work out the answers to problems themselves Encourages colleagues to value each other and challenges those who don't regardless of level within the organisation Integrates and prioritises plans in line with strong understanding of goals and objectives of the University Sets challenging targets whilst monitoring the effectiveness of the service, constantly driving to improve value both internally and externally Strives to achieve sector "firsts" in Careers and Employability Makes use of cross-departmental working to generate and deliver on plans Is not afraid to push difficult issues towards a decision and take responsibility for the outcome 9

10 Challenges the status quo, even when there is an accepted University, sector or professional view Continuously builds an understanding of the graduate recruitment arena, sector, political and social trends affecting the University and customer base Able to navigate political challenges through a focus on big picture issues Comfortable and effective in high level educational and commercial environments Working together Relays management information and University policy with conviction and authority Creates a sense of shared vision and excitement for change, helping others see the University and personal benefits of the change Establishes credibility and works co-operatively within a complex organisation to move things on Anticipates likely objections or information needs Builds on common ground in the face of conflict and looks to resolve to mutual benefit Acts as a trusted advisor and inspires confidence to support the objectives of the University 10

11 Person Specification Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience: Essential Desirable Qualifications & Education Knowledge, Skills, Attributes A good first degree. A postgraduate or professional qualification A good understanding of the principles and practice of careers education, information and guidance in the context of a researchintensive University. An understanding of the changing dynamics of the graduate employment market and awareness of the implications of relevant legislation. Political awareness and the ability to promote the employability agenda at a strategic level within and beyond the University. The ability to represent the University and the Service externally to employers and government agencies. Proven ability to manage financial and human resources strategically and operationally. Experience Significant experience working in a relevant field such as careers education, personal development, Higher Education administration or graduate recruitment. Substantial management experience at an appropriate level. Significant experience of managing staff including recruiting, developing, training, appraising and motivating staff. Experience of budgetary planning and financial management. Experience of dealing with highly confidential, sensitive information and an awareness of the Data Protection legislation. Decision Making i) taken independently by the role holder; Lead development, prioritisation and evaluation of Careers and Employability Service. Set overall standards of the Service with ultimate accountability for such standards being met. 11

12 Define, construct and implement strategy for the Service that supports and takes forward the University strategy and best practice in the sector. Relationship development with graduate employers. Work with senior colleagues from all areas of the University, with committees and external bodies, providing high level professional expertise and advice to support informed decision making. Budgetary decisions covering the work of the service. Management and development of Service staff. ii) taken in collaboration with others; Major policy developments in careers arena. Significant careers-related projects. External funding bids or related developments. iii) referred to the appropriate line manager (please name) by the role holder. Larger budgetary items (to Registrar and/or Director of Student Operations and Support depending upon cost). University-wide policy (e.g. University Management Board level). Scope of the Role: The role is critical to the further developing a first rate careers service. Sizable investment that has been granted to the service now requires a sizable return and the development of a network of advocates amongst academic schools that support the provision. The focus in the first two years will be delivering the centrally managed, jointly conceived, locally delivered ethos with transparency and impact acting as a guide towards effectiveness. A strong and dynamic leader will play a key part in enhancing graduate employability for all of our students (a key institutional performance indicator) and in developing the undergraduate cocurriculum (e.g. additional skills and employability modules). 12

13 Terms and conditions of service Below is a summary of the main terms and conditions of employment for the post you have been short listed for. This summary is for your reference only and does not constitute any form of contract of employment. Salary Your initial salary will be on a point on the appropriate University Salary Band for this appointment which is Level 7. Holiday entitlement The annual leave year runs from 1 October to 30 September. The annual leave entitlement for a full leave year is 30 days. You will also receive 8 Public Holidays and additional University Days as may be determined each year by the University Council. Pension If you are 18 years of age or over, subject to and in accordance with the rules and terms, as amended from time to time, you are entitled to join the recognised University occupational pension scheme - Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), immediately on starting your employment. Full details of the USS pension scheme are available at Unless you declare a wish, in writing, prior to starting your post with the University, not to be a member of USS, you will automatically be deemed a member from the start of your employment. Further information is available at (pensions information), by ing the University Pensions Administrator at pensions@nottingham.ac.uk or by ringing A USS Scheme booklet is available on request. If you participate in one of the recognised occupational pension schemes, a contracting out certificate under the Pensions Schemes Act 1993 will be in force in respect of your employment. Benefits A full list of benefits can be found on the following site: Notice Period and Termination of Service You are required to give the University three month s notice in writing to terminate your contract. The University must give three month s written notice to terminate your contract. Equal Opportunities The declared objective of the University is to be a research led institution which is open to all sections of the community and in whose activities all individuals, whether staff or student, are encouraged to participate. 13

14 The University's aim is to attract, retain and motivate high quality individuals and to provide equality of opportunity in order to maximise the benefit to the University from the diversity of its workforce and student population. Diversity expresses itself in many ways - by age, gender, race, culture, physical and mental ability, religion - and these differences are celebrated. The University s aim to maximise everyone s potential by harnessing these differences and creating a productive environment in which all are valued; where our talents are fully utilised and organisational goals are achieved. 14

15 Timetable Key dates Closing date: 30 January 2013 Preliminary interviews: 6 th & 7 th February 2013* Final interviews: w/c 4 March 2013 *Please note that you will be notified if you are invited to a preliminary interview on 4 th February Recruitment process Should you decide to make a formal application, you will hear from Veredus Executive Resourcing immediately after the longlisting meeting on 4 February 2013 if you are being called forward for preliminary interview. Those candidates not longlisted will be advised by letter. All longlisted candidates will be advised as to the outcome of this stage of the process by telephone, immediately after formal shortlisting which is taking place on w/c 18 February. Candidates will be advised of the outcome by telephone. Queries If you have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information or wish to have an informal discussion, then please contact Paul Aristides on or paul.aristides@veredus.co.uk or Ed Pritchard on or ed.pritchard@veredus.co.uk 15

16 How to apply To apply for this job please submit a comprehensive CV and supporting statement, quoting reference Please ensure that your supporting statement fully states how your skills and experience match the person specification for this role; your CV should cover your full career history and provide details of associated responsibilities and key achievements. You should also provide the names, positions, organisations and telephone contact numbers of two referees. Veredus may need to take two verbal telephone references for shortlisted candidates, but please note that we will not approach any of your referees without obtaining your prior consent. You are invited to complete and return the Equal Opportunities Classification Form. This will help our client to follow the recommendations of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, that employers should monitor selection decisions to assess whether equality of opportunity is being achieved. The information on this form will be treated as confidential, and used for statistical purposes. The form will not be treated as part of your application. Finally please ensure that you have included mobile, work and home telephone numbers on your CV, as well as any dates when you will not be available or might have difficulty with the indicative timetable. The closing date for applications is 30 January 2013 Applications should be ed to paul.aristides@veredus.co.uk 16

17 Equality and Diversity Data is committed to equality of opportunity and has an Equality and Diversity Policy which covers all areas of employment. Our policy is to recruit, employ and promote our employees on the basis of their suitability for the work to be performed. To this end, we aim to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, transgender, marital status, disability, creed, colour, race or ethnic origin, age, sexual orientation, religion, faith or belief. Please complete the details on this page. This information is not used for selection so it will be detached from your application on receipt, treated confidentially and only used for monitoring purposes. Completion is voluntary; however, the analysis of this data provides important information to help us monitor the effectiveness of our Equality and Diversity Policy. Name Post applied for Nationality Date of Birth Sex Male Female Marital Status Ethnic Origin ( ) ( ) 11. White- British 34. Chinese 12. White Irish 39. Other Asian Background 19. Other White Background 41. Mixed White and Black Caribbean 21. Black or Black British Caribbean 42. Mixed White and Black African 22. Black or Black British African 43. Mixed White and Asian 29. Other Black Background 49. Other Mixed Background 31. Asian or Asian British Indian 80. Other Ethnic Background 32. Asian or Asian British Pakistani 98. Prefer Not To Say 33. Asian or Asian British Bangladeshi Do you consider yourself to have a disability? 1.No 2. Yes 9. Prefer Not To Say Nature of Disability ( ) Sexual Orientation Heterosexual Gay Lesbian Bisexual Prefer Not To Say ( ) Religion ( ) ( ) ( ) Agnostic Confucianism Shintoism Atheist Hinduism Sikhism Buddhist Hinayana Islam Shiite Taoism Buddhist Mahayana Islam Sunni Other Christian Orthodox Judaism Hassidic Prefer Not To Say Christian Protestant Christian Roman Catholic Judaism Orthodox Judaism Reformed Signed: Date : 17