Work-based Learning Manager

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. 

The Work Based Learning Manager is part of an integrated team, working in partnership with staff across the institution to support the strategic and operational development of work-based learning opportunities, activities and services. The post holder will lead the development of work based learning in the curriculum and innovative practice across employability development activities. The role will involve building strong relationships with employers, academic staff and other stakeholders, to contribute to the skills development and employability of Durham students and graduates.  

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description. 

 
Working at Durham  
 
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:  
 
•    30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.   
•    The University closes between Christmas and New Year
•    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 work based learning practitioner with knowledge and expertise in the delivery and development of work based learning programmes, internships and opportunities including the development of resources, events, workshops and reports  

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

4.     Experience of working proactively and innovatively, providing employability related specialist advice and guidance to a students, employers and  more senior colleagues to ensure work-based learning success.

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.

6.     Experience of managing and developing a team or teams and/or line management qualification. 

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

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

8.     Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including Social media, Microsoft Office and data analysis tools and platforms.

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

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

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

12.  Ability to contribute to planning at an operational level With experience of project management including the ability to set goals, prioritise and respond positively to change

13.  Familiarity with work-based learning provision and associated policies and protocols including quality, risk management, learning and teaching and health and safety

14.  Proven experience, knowledge and understanding of the graduate labour market and employer engagement

Desirable Criteria

1.  Teaching Qualification 

2.  Knowledge of curriculum development

How to Apply
    
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.  Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above). 
 
While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.    
   
Submitting your application  
 
We prefer to receive applications online.   We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates. 
   
What you need to submit    
 
•    A CV: and    
•    A supporting statement or covering letter which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification.     

Contact details    
   
For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Donna Carr, Careers and Enterprise Senior Manager  [email protected] 
 
Typical Role Requirements  

Service Delivery/Development

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

·       Manage the delivery of work based learning provision 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 employers, students and academic departments  and contribute to ideas and service improvements.

·       Work closely with the Careers and Enterprise team and other internal and external stakeholders to ensure a collaborative and strategic approach to the delivery of work based learning opportunities and the University’s wider employability agenda. k.

·       Contribute to the delivery of activities that generate external income including identifying and applying for external funds to support work based learning delivery

·       Support activities which enhance the wider student experience through development of new work-based learning activities and contributing to the careers provision in line with the University Education strategy

Planning and Organisation

·       Manage the delivery of operational activities carried out by the Careers and Enterprise team

·       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 staff, students and other key stakeholders so that work based learning provision is being adapted to meet stakeholders expectations.

·       Manage and monitor the performance of work based learning provision and make recommendations to departments and Service Heads on how it can be improved.

·       Review data on the level of service provided by your area to recommend areas for future improvement.

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

Team Development

·       Ensure that your team can deliver the required services by devolving and delegating responsibilities to appropriate team members.

·       Carry out regular performance reviews to provide feedback on team and individual objectives and expectations and identify any development needs.

·       Ensure that your team continues to develop by coaching and mentoring team members and delivering any training needs.

·       Support the welfare and wellbeing of your team referring more complex issues to specialist services.

Communication/Liaison

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

·       Keep stakeholders updated by sharing key service information about work based learning provision, student success and Careers and Enterprise activities more broadly

·       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, 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.

   
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.