Faculty Placement Manager (Arts & Humanities)

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here

The Role and Department

Careers & Enterprise sits within the Education Division, which is headed by the Pro Vice Chancellor for Education, and is part of the University’s developmental approach to ensuring effective student engagement, achievement and positive progression.

The Careers & Enterprise (C&E) Centre is a dynamic and developing team, operating across the university through subject departments, colleges, societies and industry facing initiatives to support the development and progression needs of students. It aims to help them meet the challenges and opportunities of the constantly developing employment market, and become the leaders and innovators of the near future.

• We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On site nursery is available and access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16 throughout the year.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
• A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, we can help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.

Your application should cover the following criteria:

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience

1. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).

2. Professional practitioner with knowledge and expertise in the delivery and development of Placement Year provision and associated policies and protocols including quality, risk management, work-based learning and health and safety within the organisation.

3. Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting change and service improvements.

4. Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.

5. Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and to positively influence the University’s reputation

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

6. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.

7. Strong digital competence across a range digital devices and apps including Microsoft 365, social media platforms, spreadsheets and databases.

8. Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.

9. Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.

10. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.

11. Ability to contribute to planning at an operational level.

12. Experience of delivering student facing activities (e.g. workshops, presentations, one to one support) in a Higher Education context.

13. Proven experience, knowledge and understanding of the graduate labour market and employer engagement in placement activity.

Desirable Criteria

1. Experience of project management with the ability to set goals, prioritise and respond positively to change.

2. Experience of using Canva or similar content creation software for marketing purposes

Typical Role Requirements

Service Delivery/Development

• Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.

• Provide specialist advice and guidance relating to your professional area of expertise in line with the University’s policies, regulations and values.

• Manage the delivery of the Placement Year service within Arts & Humanities to a high standard and ensure that they are delivered in a customer focussed way.

• Provide the best possible service by continually reviewing what is required from students, the Careers & Enterprise Centre, academic and professional support services and contribute to ideas and service improvements.

• Provide specialist knowledge and support when interpreting and analysing complex data and information sources.

• Look for ways to improve on the number of students going out on Placement Year, the process to allow them to do so and the technology used across all areas of your work.

• Identify any learning needs that should be met by yourself and the Faculty Placement Manager team and design activities and arrange any training.

• Contribute to the delivery of activities that generate external income such as researching funding available to support students undertaking Placement Years

• Support activities which enhance the wider student experience such as arranging employer events on campus, student appointments and skills workshops.

Planning and Organisation

• Contribute to the development of operational and strategic plans and service level agreements.

• Continually seek to enhance the services provided to your stakeholders and plan and implement any required improvements.

• Seek feedback from staff, students, employers and other key stakeholders so that Placement Years are being adapted to meet customer expectations and to plan future requirements.

• Manage and monitor the performance of specified services and make recommendations to relevant Service Heads on how it can be improved.

• Analyse data on the level of service being provided by the Placement Year team and Careers & Enterprise Service to recommend areas for future improvement.

• Meet the development needs of your stakeholders providing training when required.

• Manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services.

Communication/Liaison

• Use your operational expertise to lead and participate in business meetings, working groups and sub-committees.

• Keep stakeholders updated by sharing key service information about Placement Years.

• Use the best media and method to communicate with internal and external stakeholders.

• Create positive working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills and swap information with peers.

• Use your expertise to participate in and monitor communities of practice and partnership working, both internally and externally.

• Any other reasonable duties.

Useful links

If you would like further information you may find the following will help
Careers, Employability and Enterprise - Durham University

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.