ABOUT LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY CAREERS NETWORK

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1 ABOUT LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY CAREERS NETWORK PLACEMENTS GOVERNANCE MANAGER (FIXED-TERM FOR 12 MONTHS OR EARLIER RETURN OF POSTHOLDER) REQ16258 revised APRIL 2016 As part of the University s ongoing commitment to redeployment, please note that this vacancy may be withdrawn at any stage of the recruitment process if a suitable redeployee is identified. JOB DESCRIPTION Job Grade: Management and Specialist Grade 7 Job Context: Loughborough University is highly regarded for the provision of placement opportunities and other work-based learning experiences for its students. Most placements are part of a student s programme of study; other work experience is undertaken in addition to curriculum learning. The Placements Governance Manager reports to the Head of Careers and Employability and works closely with the Careers Network(CN) team, specialist support services, academic staff, and placements and work experience colleagues throughout the University. Job Purpose: To lead and oversee activity designed to extend and enhance student engagement and participation in placements and other work experience and work-based learning. To lead the University-wide co-ordination and development of placement provision, IT systems and support, enhancing processes, working closely with staff in academic Schools, ensuring effective governance and compliance, and optimising outcomes for students and employers. To ensure excellence in service delivery, reduce risk factors for all stakeholders, and maintain the reputation of the University as a leader in the provision of placement years in industry and of other high quality work experience options, contributing to student recruitment, student experience and graduate outcome goals.

2 To lead service enhancement projects, and when required, to manage and lead colleagues in the delivery of placement projects and support. To lead, manage and take responsibility for the operation of the East Park Placements and Work-based Learning Hub and the team of staff to provide coordinated services to Schools and their students, enhancing student engagement with placements and work-based learning. To ensure the delivery of a sector-leading placement and WBL support service for the relevant students, host employers and their academic Schools. Duties and Responsibilities: Governance: On behalf of the University, to develop and maintain placement and work experience policies, procedures, statutory requirements and resources, ensuring accuracy and legal compliance. To conduct regular formal reviews of the governance, rules, regulations and assessment of placements in use within the University, reporting and making recommendations to senior management. To have a detailed understanding, and ensure the application, of QAA, HEA and Loughborough University codes of practice for placements and other professional forms of work-experience; working proactively with bodies such as ASET and other external HE groups (e.g. AGCAS) taking a role in the development of best practice nationally. To advise on changes and updates to academic programmes related to placements and work experience. To initiate and manage bi-annual surveys of student views regarding placements and work experience, reporting findings and conclusions to colleagues. To regularly monitor placement activity and track destination information of Loughborough graduates who have completed a placement. To analyse and report on the effectiveness of placements and work experience in securing high quality graduate destinations and report findings to relevant internal committees and groups, influencing future strategy and delivery. To monitor placement activity and to track destination information of graduates of competitor universities. Systems, Processes and Resources: To recommend, promote and project manage placement and work experience IT system developments, enhancements or replacements, developing cross-campus consistency To develop, broker agreement on, deliver and maintain standardised placement processes and procedures, prioritising the needs and experiences of service beneficiaries.

3 To develop and maintain a range of information and resources (printed, website, social media) for students, employers and staff. To conduct regular reviews of processes, applying process mapping techniques, ensuring continuous improvement, and tailoring processes and documentation where required. To develop systems and processes to accurately monitor and report on placements and other work-based learning experiences. To manage key projects related to service and process developments, leading implementation groups when required, monitoring agreed timescales and key performance indicators and reporting variances. External Organisations: To market and promote the benefits of placements to prospective host employers, and explore opportunities for wider strategic links with the University, working in partnership with University employer engagement and business development colleagues. To provide specialist advice and support to host employers, contributing to the resolution of any problems. Employers: To promote and contribute to positive working relationships with host employers. To work closely with the CN employer engagement team sharing knowledge of student preferences and employer expectations, and supporting the promotion of the benefits of placements, internships and other work-based learning with prospective host employers. To promote the provision of appropriate assistance to host employers to enhance their understanding, experiences and outcomes and help resolve any related problems. To support placement-related employer events on campus. Support for Schools/Departments and University Colleagues: To be the central point of contact and guidance for University placement advisers and tutors. To attend, co-ordinate and chair various placements, work experience and workbased learning meetings and groups, providing information and guidance as appropriate ensure effective communication of updates and placement developments. To work with colleagues to ensure that pre-placement advice, guidance and skills development is appropriate to the needs of students and employers.

4 To provide guidance to academic staff with regard to placement visits, student and employer support. To work with colleagues throughout the University to support and expand provision for all forms of professional work experience. To develop and lead workshops and training sessions for both staff and students. East Park Hub Team Management To lead, manage and develop the Hub team in their delivery of services to students and employers and in their work in partnership with colleagues in related academic Schools and the Careers Network teams. To enhance student motivation and engagement with placements and work-based learning, including effective promotion of opportunities to relevant students. To ensure the team optimises support for student applications and assessments, effectively signposting to other services and support if appropriate, and to ensure details are recorded and monitored as appropriate. To ensure that staff, students and employers are aware of their responsibilities, for example regarding Health and Safety and risk management, and that required processes are followed. To support the co-ordination of academic workplace visits to support placement students and employers. To ensure students are familiar with the assessment criteria for the relevant academic award. To ensure the provision of consistently high quality services to students before, during and after their work placement experiences. To agree and meet annual objectives as required. General: To generate and interpret reports and detailed statistical information as requested. To provide cover and manage placement teams and colleagues when required. As part of the CN management team, to contribute to the strategic direction, objective setting and operational management of the service. To identify placement research opportunities and contribute to bids To identify potential award opportunities for the CN team and for Placements/Work Experience activity, and contribute to submissions. To represent the University and the CN at external meetings and conferences and positively promote Loughborough University as a leader in placement and work experience provision and management.

5 To set up and monitor where appropriate, action and response processes to problem reporting and trouble shooting. To undertake any training and other duties commensurate with the nature and grade of the post. Special Conditions: There may be occasions when the post holder will be required to work outside standard contract hours in response to the needs of the role. Other: All staff have a statutory responsibility to take reasonable care of themselves, others and the environment and to prevent harm by their acts or omissions. All staff are therefore required to adhere to the University s Health, Safety and Environmental Policy & Procedures. All staff should hold a duty and commitment to observing the University s Equality & Diversity policy and procedures at all times. Duties must be carried out in accordance with relevant Equality & Diversity legislation and University policies/procedures. The University is committed to enabling staff to maintain a health work-home balance and has a number of family-friendly policies which are available at: page.html. We also offer an on-campus nursery with subsidised placed, subsidised places at local holiday clubs and a childcare voucher scheme (further details are available at: In addition, the University is supportive, wherever possible, of flexible working arrangements. We also strive to create a culture that supports equality and celebrates diversity throughout the campus. The University holds a Bronze Athena SWAN award which recognises the importance of support for women at all stages of their academic career. For further information on Athena SWAN see

6 CAREERS NETWORK PERSON SPECIFICATION Job Title: Placements Governance Manager Job Grade: Management and Specialist Grade 7 Essential Desirable Stage assesse d Experience Experience and understanding of university placement and/or work experience support functions Skills and Abilities Significant experience with administration and computer database management Experience of working with external or internal partners, negotiating and delivering positive outcomes Significant project management experience People management experience Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to establish effective relationships and satisfy the demands of a wide range of colleagues and stakeholders Skilled in the negotiation of positive outcomes Effective organisational and administrative skills Confident group presentation and meeting management skills Skilled in the management, coordination and prioritisation of project work and activity Highly goal oriented, with evidence of target achievement Research skills with the ability Good understanding of current trends/issues in placements and work experience for both UG and PG students Experience in the introduction or upgrade of customer databases. Management of relationships with external stakeholders, such as graduate employers Experience in change management and process improvement techniques Contribution to the development of successful processes leading to enhanced outcomes. Experience delivering interactive workshops.

7 Training to assimilate, interpret and apply complex new information Excellent spoken and written English presenting information clearly and concisely Report writing skills Numerate - able to quickly review and report on statistical data High degree of accuracy and attention to detail, whilst working to tight deadlines High degree of personal initiative, with a solution-led approach to problems and challenges Flexibility, adaptability and resilience responding positively to change and new initiatives Ability to develop and implement initiatives and work autonomously Effective participation in teams and contribution to team performance Strategic vision combined with a focus on deliverable solutions Extensive staff supervision and development skills Supervising others in the achievement of tasks Excellent general MS Office skills (Word, Excel, Outlook , Powerpoint, Access) Enhanced database experience and/or management skills A commitment to ongoing personal development and a willingness to train, learn and adopt new procedures as required Staff management experience. Competent in IT systems development with an understanding of APIs 1,3 1, 2

8 Education University degree or equivalent qualification or experience Project management qualification 1 Maths and English GCSEs (A- C) Other Discretion, sensitivity and ability to maintain strict confidentiality Able and willing to travel if required Able and willing to work outside standard hours if required Committed to observing University Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies Stage of assessment: 1 = application form, 2 = assessment exercise, 3 = interview 1 Conditions of Service The appointment is full-time, fixed-term contract for 12 months or earlier return of postholder. Salary is Management and Specialist Grade 7 38,896 to 41,255 per annum starting salary to be confirmed on offer of appointment. The appointment will be subject to the University's normal Terms and Conditions of Employment for Academic and Related staff, details of which can be found at: Informal Enquiries Informal enquiries should be made to Helen Smith, Head of Careers and Employability, by at: H.Smith@lboro.ac.uk or by telephone on +44 (0) Application The closing date for receipt of applications is 9 June 2016.