Specialist Student Adviser (Advice and Guidance)

The University of Salford is committed to ensuring that all students, irrespective of their diverse backgrounds, can integrate into all aspects of university life and access the help available at the university to ensure their academic success, whilst recognising the holistic need to support growth in their personal and social lives. The Directorate of Student and Academic Support (DSAS) unites The Library; Student Administration; Student Experience and Support; and School Operations as one team. DSAS aims to provide agile and adaptive services to support enhancement of student experience and performance throughout the student journey and staff experience across the academic cycle.

Student Support is made up of teams providing specialist advice and support to students at the University, including the Money Advice & Funds Service, with the aim of providing a holistic and inclusive offer of support services. The core function of the Money Advice & Funds Service is to support University of Salford students to overcome the financial barriers our students may experience to study through the provision of advice, support and administration of funds granted to students experiencing financial hardship.

We have a great team in place, who are committed to inclusive practice and change, are passionate about working in a widening participation University, and who are committed to working together to the benefit of all. We want to grow this team and bring in people with varied experience and knowledge to add to and enhance our service. If you have never worked in the Higher Education sector then you should, it is not like any other, offering the chance to work across vibrant and busy campus' and presenting a wealth of opportunities to enhance your knowledge.  It is not for the faint hearted and although there are some great benefits, it is hard work and fast paced. Working in this sector is really rewarding. With a strong focus on excellent customer service and a high level of student satisfaction, we are working to support students to achieve their potential, to enhance inclusive practice and to remove barriers to education.

We are now looking to appoint a Specialist Student Adviser to join our team of existing advisers. The role of the Specialist Student Adviser is to provide a range of services, including advice and support, to stakeholders including, students, staff and families of current and prospective students.  The role will include providing advice face to face, by telephone, via email and in the askUS Referral Lounge, providing ‘quick query’ style services alongside delivery of presentations and workshops to larger groups of students. The role holder will have an interest in inclusive student support, student finance and funding, and will develop skills in general advice and guidance within the role.

You will work with students daily, supporting them to navigate the support on offer to them at the University. You will also work closely with colleagues across the University, both academic and other professional services staff. We are looking for people who can bring a compassionate and caring nature along with the ability to work confidently with colleagues at all levels.

The work is fast paced, often reactive, and will always bring new challenges. You will require a high level of resilience, but you will be working on a fantastic, rapidly changing campus, with people who are passionate about changing the lives of our students.

We are currently looking for 1 full time member of staff on a 12 month fixed term contract. The service operates between 8am and 8pm, so you will be expected to work across these hours. The location of an adviser’s role is blended, spending some days in office at the heart of the campus and others working from home.

Please see the role profile for this position for more information or, if you would like to discuss the role in more detail, please email Julia Lumb, the hiring manager at j.lumb1@salford.ac.uk.