Buckinghamshire New University
Study Engagement and Advice Manager
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Full time - Permanent - High Wycombe
Salary - £38,784 - £43,482
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.
Join us as our new Study Engagement and Advice Manager in Library and Learning Services. This is an exciting opportunity to lead and shape a new team focused on helping students build confidence, independence and the skills they need to succeed. Working closely with academic and professional services colleagues, you will use evidence, insight and innovation to design accessible, proactive support that improves retention, progression and student success. You will oversee academic skills support, peer learning and academic coaching, ensuring services are inclusive, responsive and aligned with BNU’s priorities. If you are passionate about student success and want to make a visible difference to how students are supported to thrive, we would be delighted to hear from you.
What We Offer
- A generous holiday entitlement (35/30 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.
We are committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace and aim to continue building an environment where everyone thrives and can be themselves.
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 to Rachel Scott Halls, rachel.scotthalls@bnu.ac.uk 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.
Closing date: 6th September
Interview date: 22nd September
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.
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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: Study Engagement and Advice Manager
College/Directorate: Library and Learning Services
Grade: G
Location: High Wycombe with regular working at our other campuses
Hours: 37
Responsible to: Director of Library and Learning Services
Responsible for: Senior Study Skills Advisors, Study Skills Advisors, Peer Mentoring Coordinator
Job Purpose
To lead and manage the University’s Study Engagement and Advice team based within Library and Learning Services. The team plays a key role in enabling student success by building confidence through engaging academic skills support (e.g. information and digital literacy, core study skills, numeracy and academic English) delivered through embedded workshops, peer assisted learning, academic coaching and online learning materials. You will work collaboratively with colleagues across the University to ensure that the academic support provided is proactive, scalable and aligned to institutional priorities, planning service delivery to maximise access. In doing so, you will contribute to the University’s aims around retention, progression and student success.
To practice an inclusive approach and support building an inclusive university community where people can be themselves.
Main Duties & Responsibilities Of The Role
- Working collaboratively with colleagues in the Library Engagement and Student Experience teams and Colleges to ensure that the Study Engagement and Advice team’s services complements programme delivery and is aligned to institutional priorities.
- Oversee the design and delivery of accessible and inclusive services to promote independent learning and confidence. This will include embedded and standalone workshops and online self-service materials covering the team’s offer of academic and assessment literacies, academic English, numeracy, digital skills and research skills.
- Ensure that the team’s offering operates as a coherent, integrated service that meets student need, liaising with key stakeholders across the institution.
- Lead the team to further develop and implement the academic coaching framework to support students identified as at risk of underperformance.
- Use data and feedback to evaluate and report on the impact of the team’s interventions, identifying and implementing actions to enhance the student experience either with the team or with colleagues in the Teaching Excellence Academy and the Colleges.
- Lead and manage the team, developing and maintaining a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, maintaining awareness of developments around academic skills and support.
- Promote the Library and Study Advice 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.
- Line management responsibilities including recruitment and selection, performance management, professional development, motivation, health & safety, and wellbeing, and have an agile approach to change.
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PERSON SPECIFICATION - Essential Criteria Only
Education, Qualifications & Training
- Educated to a degree level or equivalent
- Evidence of recent continuing professional development relevant to the post
Knowledge & Experience
- Delivering an excellent customer experience
- Experience managing staff with the ability to lead, motivate and develop a high performing team
- Demonstrable knowledge and experience of supporting and promoting student success in HE
- Experience evaluating of services or initiatives using data, feedback and performance metrics to monitor impact and drive continuous improvement
- Ability to lead service improvements contributing to institutional priorities, strategies and policy development
- Commitment to working towards and achieving a relevant professional qualification or accreditation (HE teaching, Coaching, F-ALDinHE, AFHEA etc)
- Understanding the wide range of needs students have and the barriers they face when transitioning into and engaging with higher education
Skills
- Digitally able and proficient in Microsoft tools
- Skills in designing and adapting resources and workshops to support a diverse range of students
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to build working relationships with a range of colleagues
- Excellent time management skills including the 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
Special Requirements
- Evening and weekend working on a rota basis based on service need
- Ability to travel to all sites as required
Behavioural INDICATORS
The BNU Behaviours Framework (BBF) Is a Framework For All University Staff That Sets Out The Key Behaviours That Exemplify The DRIVE Values And Ethos Of The University. The Nine Categories Provide a Clear Steer On Behavioural Expectations That Will Help Support a Step Change In The Performance And Culture Of The University. The Three Key Behavioural Indicators For This Post Are As Follows
Engaging with the wider context
Enhancing your contribution to the University through an understanding of University values, its students, customers and stakeholders.
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.
Achieving results
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.
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