Buckinghamshire New University
Senior Study Skills Advisor (coaching and engagement)
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Senior Study Skills Advisor (coaching and engagement)
Full Time - High Wycombe
Salary - £33,951 - £37,694
We’re not trying to fit in with the higher education status quo. We’re challenging it. We’re doing things differently - because our students, our staff, and our world need us to.
So this is an exciting moment to join us. We’re boldly reimagining what a university can be: a place rooted in social mobility, a community where difference is celebrated, and an institution that empowers people to become more than they thought possible.
We are looking for a Senior Study Skills Advisor to join Library and Learning Services in a new role focussing on academic coaching to support our students to reach their full potential. Committed to student success, you will work directly with students to help them identify their strengths, clarify their goals, and build the confidence and strategies needed to succeed in higher education. You will design and deliver support that goes beyond traditional study skills, using a coaching-led approach to develop resilience, independence and effective long-term learning habits. Working closely with academic and professional services colleagues, you will help ensure early, joined-up support is in place for students who may be at risk, taking a data-informed approach to identify need, plan targeted interventions, and evaluate their impact.
What We Offer
- A generous holiday entitlement (30 days per annum, plus bank holidays & closure days)
- Hybrid working (dependent on business needs)
- Training & development support opportunities
- Contributory pension scheme
- Free gym membership for our on-site gym
- A range of staff discounts with major retailers
Please click here to see our wide range of benefits available for employees.
Please click here for our behavioural based interview question bank.
Please click here to view our employee handbook.
If you have the qualities and attributes representative of the University’s values and ambition, we would be delighted to hear from you.
For further information about this role please contact Rachel Scott Halls, rachel.scotthalls@bnu.ac.uk.
All applications are to be made in full and online.
BNU is proud to have a diverse community and a strong track record of diversity, equity and inclusion. We are committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace and aim to continue building an environment where everyone thrives and can be themselves. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in BNU’s workforce. These include people from global majority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ people, particularly in more senior roles.
Please let us know if you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process. We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that would enable you to perform to the best of your abilities in your role. Please reach out if you have any specific needs or if you would like more information on how we can support you.
We ensure that our interview/shortlisting Chairs complete the relevant e-learning and/or inclusive recruitment training.
If you’re considering using AI to support your application, we encourage you to question the value it adds. The use of AI tools sometimes erodes authenticity and prevents us from being able to assess the real you. We strongly recommend you prepare your application using your own skills and knowledge and that AI is only used for the purpose of review.
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Closing Date: 18th July 2026
Interview Date: Week commencing 3rd August 2026
If you are invited to interview for this role, you will need to provide evidence of your eligibility to work in the UK and if on a visa, current visa and status. Sponsorship is dependent on the salary level of the position and this role can only be sponsored via the new entrant route if eligible.
BNU is a Disability Confident employer and as such you will be given the opportunity to declare a disability as part of the application process.
Job Description
Job Title: Senior Study Skills Advisor (coaching and engagement)
College/Directorate: Library and Learning Services
Grade: F
Location: High Wycombe with regular working at our other campuses
Hours: 37
Responsible to: Library Engagement and Study Skills Manager
Responsible for: Supervision of Study Skills Advisors, Library Engagement Advisors, student Peer Mentors
Job Purpose
You will work collaboratively with colleagues to design and deliver engaging and impactful academic support and guidance to students.
With a focus on supporting student engagement through targeted interventions you will contribute to the delivery of the wider range of academic skills support (information and digital literacy, study skills, numeracy and academic English) provided by the team. You will also work with teams across BNU to design and deliver outreach activities that promote Library and Learning Services across the institution and to our external stakeholders.
To practice an inclusive approach and support building an inclusive university community where people can be themselves.
Main Duties & Responsibilities Of The Role
- Contribute to the design and delivery of the wider Library and Study Advice team’s offer including: research skills, digital literacy, assessment literacy and broader academic skills such as group work, presentation skills, time management and academic writing. This will include face-to-face, blended and distance learning and the production of asynchronous learning materials that promote independent learning and confidence.
- Provide targeted support for students identified as at risk of underperformance by using a coaching approach to help students assess their needs, identify goals, develop a support plan and implement solutions, promoting resilience and independence.
- Working collaboratively with colleagues across the University to ensure cohesive support across teams students are referred to relevant services and available resources as necessary and maintaining appropriate boundaries at all times.
- Further develop the existing coaching framework to meet institutional priorities and support the team in implementing a coaching approach in their work.
- Deliver support to students through workshops and the creation of online materials to develop independent learning and confidence.
- Work closely with the Teaching and Engagement Librarians and Academic Colleges to ensure services and support are aligned to course requirements.
- Contribute to evaluation and continual development of the service by gathering, collating, and analysing data and feedback, identifying and implementing actions to enhance the student experience and outcomes.
- Promote the team across the University to ensure accessibility and maximise student participation.
- Work with teams across the University in planning and implementing broader initiatives that contribute to student success and confidence, improving the overall student experience.
- Whilst based at one campus the post holder will be expected to work regularly at our other campuses as needed.
- Contribute to the delivery of Library and Learning Services’ evening and at weekend staffing rota.
- Comply with relevant legislative and other requirements (e.g., the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR; Health and Safety; UKVI; and Equality and Diversity) in all working practices).
- Such other duties temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required.
- Supervisory duties including motivating and supporting team members, giving direction and feedback, ensuring adequate staffing cover, and have an agile approach to change.
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PERSON SPECIFICATION - Essential Criteria Only
Education, Qualifications & Training
- Educated to degree level or equivalent
- Experience in coaching or mentoring in an education setting
- Understanding of student transition in Higher Education
- Practical experience of delivering interventions to support student success
- Knowledge of a range of academic study skills and the ability to support students with these
- Commitment to working towards and achieving a relevant professional qualification or accreditation (HE teaching, Coaching, F-ALDinHE, AFHEA etc)
- Experience working actively as part of a team to deliver a shared objective, project, or task
Skills
- Digitally able and proficient in Microsoft tools
- Ability to plan, organise and prioritise own workload and work effectively under pressure to required deadlines
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Ability to collate and analyse qualitative and quantitative data from a range of sources to identify trends and inform date driven decision making
- Ability to maintain accurate and timely records adhering to legislative requirements and local policies
- Ability to act with care, empathy and patience
- Excellent oral and written communication skills including the ability to present complex information and concepts to a range of different audiences
Special Requirements
- Evening and weekend working on a rota basis based on service need
- Ability to travel to all sites as required
Behavioural Indicators
- Developing Self And Others: Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.
- Working together: Working collaboratively and across boundaries with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.
- Achieving results: Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.
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