Student Engagement Facilitator

Salary: £33,966 to £36,024 with progression to £44,263 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 20 October 2023

The Role

The Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering is delighted to advertise this exciting opportunity for a motivated professional with a passion for engaging with businesses to provide employability opportunities for our students. 

The role holder will develop and implement strategic initiatives across the Faculty in regard to our engagement between business and current students, improving the experience of students and increasing student employability. A specific priority will be to develop and implement action plans in relation to the University Employability and Enterprise Strategy.

You will have a STEM background yourself and experience of working in or with business in a collaborative manner, building strong partner relationships. The postholder will work as part of a Faculty team and predominantly support the School of Natural & Environmental Sciences.

We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.  

To learn more about the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering click here

We are committed to making a difference: we're educating the next generation of experts and tackling the biggest challenges facing our planet. Our innovative work has always focused on making a difference to people’s lives, and you can be part of it. 

The post is available full time, on an open-ended basis.

To apply, please complete the online application and upload a CV and a covering letter. Please structure your covering letter as a supporting statement of no more than two sides. Please outline how you meet or exceed the requirements for the role holder as listed below. 

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Abby French, Learning Partnerships Manager Abby.French@newcastle.ac.uk. 

Key Accountabilities

• The postholder would work closely with Directors of Business, Innovation & Skills, Directors of Education, Faculty Learning Partnerships Manager, Employability & Enterprise Champions and associated professional service colleagues in academic units. The postholder would also work closely with the University Lifelong Learning and Apprenticeships Hub, Business Development and Enterprise Team, Marketing Team and the Careers Service
• To work as part of the Faculty Learning Partnerships Team to implement activity in support of the University’s ‘Education for Life’ and ‘Lifelong Learning’ strategies by engaging with relevant businesses to generate mutually beneficial interactions for our students
• To assist in the development, monitoring and delivery of strategy and underpinning action plans for implementation for Schools and the Faculty
• To facilitate and share good practice across the Faculty with a view to enhancing the student experience and increasing student employability
• To work closely with the Careers Service and NU Advancement to plan, market and implement industry-focussed professional awareness events across the Faculty
• To work with the Directors of Business, Innovation and Skills, the academic leads for Employability and Enterprise and the Careers Service to deliver their annual agreement to Schools ensuring visibility of the Careers Service offerings to students and that students understand the importance of vacation employment and placements in industry
• To be an active member of Industrial Advisory Boards, supporting Schools where required
• To provide materials for the website, internal communications and social media to promote enhancements to the student experience
• To liaise with business and industry in regard to student facing activity, including, but not limited to enrichment activities such as guest lectures, site visits, placement and project opportunities.  Also, arranging activities to enhance employability, delivering careers awareness events and, on occasion, seeking assistance with programme development and/or sponsorship by business and industry
• Any other duties within the scope and general nature of the grade which may be required

The Person (Essential)

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 

• Experience in, or engaging significantly with, engineering and/or science organisations, to ensure the ability to hold credible, specialist discussions with business partners
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, including the ability to give presentations to senior internal and external partners.
• Evidence of leading and/or contributing to change
• Experience of persuasive internal and external stakeholder engagement activity
• Experience of promoting a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion

Attributes and Behaviour

• High drive and initiative, able to demonstrate professional resilience
• An energetic and “can do” approach which will inspire and enthuse others, ready to take the lead in driving forward initiatives
• Acts in a collaborative, inclusive, transparent and open manner, acting with integrity and ability to build high levels of trust
• Possesses the personal stature to engage with and earn the respect and good will of peers and more senior colleagues
• Able to manage own time and resources by prioritising and organising effectively

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent level qualification in a Science, Agriculture or other STEM discipline, or significant vocational experience
   

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 26160