Job profile

Welsh University of the Year 2021 by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide. 

Our performance in this year’s Guide is exceptional.  Our University was the biggest riser in Wales, and the third biggest in the UK, placing us in the UK top 40 for student satisfaction with teaching quality and the wider student experience. 

We are very pleased that our strong performance has resulted in the University attracting high numbers of well qualified students and we are now seeking additional staff in both our academic schools and professional services departments.

The opportunity

Student Services and Employability puts student success at the heart of everything that we do, from supporting students in their studies to preparing them for the future. The team covers: Wellbeing & Disability, Learning Support, Student Advice, Careers, Placements, Employer Engagement, and GO Wales, supported by the Operations Team. Working in a motivated, friendly and trusting environment we strive to deliver high quality student centric services. We help students at Cardiff Metropolitan University feel supported to succeed and prepared for their next steps.

You will take a lead role in delivering the Welsh Government (WG) funded GO Wales: Graduate Support Project at Cardiff Metropolitan University to recent graduates who require higher levels of employability support, such as, but not limited to, those with disabilities, from minority ethnic backgrounds, from low participation neighbourhoods and who are unemployed or in a low-skilled role. 

You will set and supervise the work of the Project Officer and Project Assistant and monitor progress against the agreed Delivery Plan. You will provide performance reports to Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) at key milestones and deliver the project on budget.

You will create and implement a project plan, starting with marketing and candidate generation activities through to placing graduates into fully funded internships. You will develop a phase-based progression framework for graduates to work through, providing a wide range of careers support and activities that will help them to develop employability skills, be better prepared for the world of work and ultimately find employment opportunities.

You will be required to network with local and national employers to secure short to medium-term internship opportunities for graduates and ensure our internship quota is fulfilled. You will also manage the employer registration process ensuring all WG legislation is complied with and ensuring that all internships undertaken meet the needs of each graduate.

What you’ll do – key duties

• To oversee the work of the Go Wales: Graduate Support Project Team, including setting and monitoring objectives via regular meetings and through the Performance and Development Review Process.

• To assist with the recruitment of the GO Wales: Graduate Support Project Team (as required) and to be responsible for their induction and ongoing training.

• To manage the project in line with the deliverables set out in the agreed Delivery Plan, ensuring all key targets and milestones are met and the project is delivered on budget.

• To take a lead role in the development of new systems, processes, and procedures for the operational management of the project and to ensure staff are adequately trained and informed to implement changes effectively.

• To take a lead role in employer engagement activities, working closely with the Employer Services Team and other relevant internal teams to contact employers and secure internship opportunities for graduates on the programme.

• To promote the GO Wales: Graduate Support Project at Cardiff Metropolitan University through liaison with academic and professional services’ staff (in particular Student Services & Employability (SSE)) to generate referrals.

• To design, deliver and/or refer students to employability enhancing activities and interventions

What you’ll bring – essential experience & strengths

• Project management experience and ability to deliver in line with set targets to deadline

• Experience in providing effective career interventions to a range of clients in both a 1:1 setting and small groups

• Significant experience in developing networks with a range of external clients, e.g. employers and professional bodies

• Experience managing a team, determining priorities of work and monitoring progress

• Experience in reviewing systems and procedures and introducing improvements

• Developing business planning objectives or new projects

• Skilled in leading and motivating a team to deliver strong performance and meet targets

• Able to influence and persuade others, including senior stakeholders internally and externally

• Able to effectively teach or train others

• Verbal and written communication skills – able to liaise and negotiate confidently with colleagues and clients including academic staff, employers and graduates

• Able to develop new systems and create new processes, adhere to policies and demonstrate good administration skills

• Able to generate correspondence and reports requiring analytical skills and with high levels of attention to detail

• Able to demonstrate sensitivity and empathy towards clients and colleagues at all times

• Able to plan and organise own work to meet required targets and deadlines.

• A positive mind-set with a can-do approach to problem-solving

• Able to think creatively, be innovative and work well off own initiative

• Computer literate and competent in use of full Microsoft Office suite.

What you’ll have - essential qualifications

• Degree educated or equivalent

• Diploma/Qualification in Career Guidance or NVQ Level 4 in Advice and Guidance or AGCAS Postgraduate qualification in CEIGHE, or equivalent experience gained in a guidance, coaching or recruitment role.

Our total reward package

We have a range of great benefits for employees including:

Annual leave of 35 days, plus 12 bank holiday / concessionary days

Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme with generous contributions

Flexible and remote working opportunities

Award winning sports and fitness facilities with subsidised membership, plus subsidised physiotherapy/complementary therapy/sports massage

Access to all library facilities

Salary sacrifice schemes including cycle to work

How to apply

If you would like to talk with us about this opportunity please contact Jon Forbes, Careers Consultant Manager, at jforbes@cardiffmet.ac.uk

To start your application please visit www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/jobs

Closing date: Friday 15 January 2021, 16:30 pm

Should a high volume of applications be received, we may need to close this vacancy early. We therefore encourage you to apply as early as possible.

We are committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. Our Strategic Plan underpins our commitment to recruit and retain the best talent and we welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds.  We appoint on merit.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic all of our recruitment is being conducted virtually. We aim to respond to your application as soon as possible.

Further Information

Full Job Description and Person Specification

Our Candidate Pack

Please visit our website for information about working for us, our culture, benefits, work-life balance and our career progression and development opportunities.