Location: Canterbury
Salary: £35,326 to £39,739 per annum pro rata
Grade: Grade 7
Post Type: Full Time
Contract Type: Fixed Term - Ends 30/09/2022
Release Date: Wednesday 15 December 2021
Closing Date: 23.59 hours GMT on Tuesday 11 January 2022 (unless otherwise stated)
Interview Date: Thursday 20 January 2022
Reference: CSF-397-21

Do you have detailed knowledge of EDI practices and legislation, experience of evaluating programmes of work and the skills to collaborate and influence effectively across the University of Kent?

This exciting opportunity within the multi-disciplinary Student Success team will see you playing a key role in the promotion of student Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity at the University, with a primary focus on reducing attainment and retention gaps.

The role is for a fixed term maternity cover period until 30 September 2022 and involves providing executive and strategic support to the Student Success Manager to ensure the continued development and embedding of the Student Success programme, as well as the smooth running of collaborative initiatives and target-led interventions. You'll need to be able to work independently and consultatively, to be adept at organising and to have a real commitment for equality of opportunity for all students.

As Student Success Assistant Manager you will:

coordinate and manage Student Success initiatives to ensure Student Success Access and Participation Plan (APP) targets are met;
manage the central support to academic schools and divisions in planning Student Success interventions;
ensure all Student Success interventions are effectively monitored and evaluated for impact on student attainment and engagement outcomes;
provide line management to Development Officers and give professional support to staff across academic disciplines.
To succeed in this role you will have:

a project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, APM) or significant management experience in a similar role in higher education;
excellent and effective negotiation, influencing and communication skills, particularly the ability to persuade and inspire colleagues to work collaboratively to ensure strategic priorities are met;
the ability to report regularly on progress, analyse, interpret and present data, predict trends and outcomes, and identify issues and risks.
Student Success is a priority agenda at the University of Kent, which promotes Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). The Student Success Team sits within the Education Directorate and was established in 2015 to address the sector-wide and institutional factors that trigger lower rates of attainment, continuation and progression amongst students from low socioeconomic groups, those with disabilities and students from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups.

The University of Kent is a distinctive and attractive place to work. We employ around 6,000 staff, including academic and research staff and a full range of support and administration staff. Our stunning main campus in Canterbury, Kent was founded in 1965 and is set among green and tranquil open space overlooking the spectacular Cathedral. Our staff enjoy competitive salaries, an occupational pension scheme, generous holiday entitlements and a great working environment.

Please see the links below to view the full job description and to apply for this post. For further information regarding the application process please contact centralservicesresourcing@kent.ac.uk quoting ref number: CSF-397-21


We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented at this level in this area.