Enhancement Manager

Location:  

Salary:  

Closing Date:  

Interview Date:  

Reference:  

The Widening Participation and Social Mobility Directorate (WPSM) is tasked with meeting the ambitious targets of the University's Access and Participation Plan (APP) which aims to improve the access, success and progression of students from underrepresented groups and disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Enhancement team of WPSM supports this through the targeted provision of academic skills across the student lifecycle, contributing to student success initiatives that aim to close non-continuation and degree awarding gaps. We are seeking to appoint two exceptional individuals to join as Academic Skills Managers for the Academic Skills Service. One role will focus on Study Skills and Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) provision and the other on Writing Skills and Mathematics and Statistics Skills.

The Role

The post-holders will have responsibility, alongside the Head of Enhancement, for shaping the provision of the Academic Skills Service. The programme offers a selection of ‘on course’, embedded academic skills provision, as well as a range of activities aligned to student success initiatives, like Ignite your Success . Finally, the service offers a series of ‘on demand’ opportunities triaged by student need, comprising of drop-in opportunities, like Writing Cafes, workshops and student 1:1s. The service aims to facilitate the successful transition of students to university and their degree success, incorporating everything from time management and note taking, through to critical academic writing and inferential statistical analysis. 

The role will see the post-holders draw upon their expert knowledge of academic skills, to develop and robustly evaluate learning opportunities, ensuring they are mindful of differential lived experiences. The post-holders will build and maintain strategically significant relationships with relevant stakeholders to identify new opportunities that supports the evolution, promotion and dissemination of the programme and its success. The post-holders will also be responsible for line managing colleagues within the team, developing and overseeing processes and deliverables that respond to student need and providing guidance and continuing professional development for colleagues. 

About You

You will have detailed understanding of the challenges that exist within Higher Education, perhaps having worked in academic research, teaching or learning development environments. You will also be aware of the issues that exist in Further Education, mindful of the impact that this may have on students we recruit. Through this experience you may have had the opportunity to manage the work of others, or have offered mentoring opportunities, and have the aptitude to lead calmly but with energy and enthusiasm. You will also be a confident communicator, able to deliver in an engaging way to a student audience. 

You will be a proactive individual who can identify important opportunities to advance our work, combined with the ability to drive initiatives forward. This is an enjoyable and exciting role and we are keen to work with individuals who share our passion for the transformative potential of academic skills education. 

You are also encouraged to have an informal chat with the Head of Enhancement, Dr Emma Thompson, to learn more about the role and the team. Emma can be contacted via email [email protected]  

The role is offered on a full-time, permanent basis and will be based at our lively Highfield Campus where you will have access to our sports complex, Hartley Library and Staff Social Centre. The university offers a number of benefits and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applicants who support our mission of inclusivity.

Apply by 11.59 pm GMT on the closing date. For assistance contact Recruitment on +44(0)2380 592750 or [email protected] quoting the job number.