Careers Consultant

Job Summary

Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen has an outstanding national reputation for producing highly employable and successful graduates.

The Careers Team has an exciting new opportunity for a highly motivated, enthusiastic and enterprising Careers Consultant to join our highly productive, energetic and innovative Careers Team within the University’s Centre for Employability and Community Engagement.

The Careers Team delivers advice and guidance, lectures and workshops, careers and labour market information, and employability skills sessions to applicants to the university, current undergraduate and postgraduate students, and ongoing support to our alumni community. The service is delivered through work with individual students and graduates as well as delivering to a wide variety of cohorts of students in targeted workshops and programmes many of which are imbedded into course curriculum.

A degree level qualification is essential. In addition, you should be able to demonstrate a sound understanding of the graduate recruitment market and be able to contribute to all aspects of service delivery and development, including the delivery of career management and employability programmes.

The advertised salary includes a market supplement of £4092.96 per annum (pro rata). This supplement is reviewed biennially and may be amended or withdrawn in line with agreed University pay policies.

This post is subject to a Disclosure Scotland check. For more information visit: https://www.mygov.scot/basic-disclosure/

In keeping with RGU's commitment to work/life balance you will have the opportunity to work from home for a portion of the working week and also benefit from a generous pension scheme, 46 days annual leave pro rata (including statutory days) an onsite nursery and sports centre, as well as a range of voluntary health and travel benefits. 

To apply please submit your CV along with a cover letter detailing your suitability for the role against the requirements set out in the person specification.

Job Description

RESPONSIBLE TO: Careers & Placement Manager

RESPONSIBLE FOR: No supervisory responsibility

PURPOSE OF THE POST: To provide a careers guidance and information service to students and graduates of the University to enable them to recognise, develop and articulate their employability, to reach informed career decisions and manage their future career development. To support students and graduates in sourcing and in making effective applications to an appropriate wide-ranging opportunities and work-related learning activities including; graduate/professional level work, advanced study and training, internships and vocational work as well as part time employment and when appropriate, placement opportunities.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES:

Work with Students and Graduates
- undertake individual careers guidance interviews
- provide a drop in and quick query careers consultancy service
- develop and deliver a variety of career talks, lectures, workshops and career management programmes to enhance employability
- be receptive to innovative ways of developing service delivery taking account of the student voice and the wider experience of being a Robert Gordon university student (and graduate)
- to work in partnership and collaborate with other teams within the Centre for Employability and Community Engagement wider internal and external stakeholders in the design, delivery and development of services
- develop enhanced services and support to identified cohorts of students (including but not limited to international and widening access students) to support their understanding and developing their employability in reaching their full career potential

Work with Academics, the Student Association and other internal stakeholders
- liaise with academic staff to develop and deliver career and employability inputs to academic courses
- to partner with, support and advise the Student Association in the development of careers/ employability related enhancement activities
- develop credible and highly productive working relationships with academic staff, professional support and service departments contributing to cross university projects and initiatives Enhancing Employability
- advise employers on graduate recruitment strategies
- contribute innovatively to the ongoing development of employer and professional body liaison
- participate in the organisation and development of Careers Fairs, constantly review and develop professional practice activities in developing students and graduates’ understanding of their employability
- liaise with academics in developing on course employability input
- contribute to the development and delivery of PDP
- liaise with employers and professional bodies to develop LMI
- develop materials to enhance student employability
- support and enhance employability initiatives across the University

Project Work
- undertake specific projects as allocated by the Line Manager

Other duties
- maintain appropriate records and statistical data
- report writing
- undertake regular professional development
- contribute to the efficient operation of the careers team and the wider department
- any other duties as may be required by the Line Manager

 

Person Specification

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Professional Memberships

Degree in a relevant subject

Knowledge

Genuine interest in students.
Knowledge and interest in graduate and postgraduate recruitment market

Experience

Experience of supporting individuals and providing high quality customer/client service

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Professional Qualifications

QCG/Diploma in Careers Guidance or equivalent/CIPD qualification/or significant experience in training, teaching or related field

Experience

Experience of work in Further/Higher Education or experience of graduate recruitment

 

Behaviours

Behaviour 1: Service Delivery - Experience of exploring and adapting a service to meet customers’ expectations and also identifying ways of improving standards

Behaviour 2: Pastoral Care and Welfare - Experience of calming and reassuring those with work/study related problems who may be experiencing distress and dealing with difficult welfare situations or confidential matters

Behaviour 3: Communication - Ability to receive, understand and convey both straightforward information, and information requiring careful explanation, in a clear and accurate manner

Behaviour 4: Decision Making - Experience of using own judgement to make decisions, making collaborative decisions with others to reach conclusions and providing advice or information that will influence the decisions of others