BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY Marketing and Communications JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Schools and Colleges Liaison Event Assistant Contract: 12 Months Fixed Term Contract Reference: 092014-04 Salary: 21,460-24,068 per annum Location: City North Campus 1. Purpose of Post: This post is designed for new graduates from Birmingham City University who will play a key role in supporting the work of our Schools and Colleges Liaison Office by representing the University at a range of events aimed at promoting the University and supporting student recruitment. The post will give new graduates an ideal opportunity to gain valuable work experience in a busy marketing environment, within a team that are critical to student recruitment and relationship building with key feeder schools and colleges. The post holder will gain experience of liaising with faculty staff, teachers, pupils, parents and of supporting the organisation and delivery of a wide range of events targeted at schools and colleges. The post holder will deliver a wide range of events and activities to encourage applications to the University, including HE Conventions, Open Days, visit days, taster sessions, campus visits, master classes, presentations, workshops, conferences, summer schools and mentoring. Highly motivated, much of the Schools and Colleges Liaison events Assistant s work will be spent off-site working with minimum supervision and acting as an ambassador for the University. Post holders where possible will be aligned to a particular faculty to support the liaison work of that faculty as well as wider University promotional activities. Ideally candidates will be aligned with the faculty in which they studied. 2. Main Duties and Responsibilities: 1. To frequently attend national Higher Education Conventions involving travel and time away from home where the post holder will act as the University s direct representative, often without supervision, remaining calm in this high pressured environment where multiple enquirers may be queuing, to provide professional and impartial advice on the full range of education, access and application issues, as well as the up-to-date course opportunities within the University. 2. To help organise and deliver an effective, comprehensive and professional programme of events and activities for schools, colleges, influencers and relevant agencies to support student recruitment and external widening participation initiatives, including Open Days, visit days, taster sessions, campus visits, master classes, presentations, workshops, conferences, summer schools and mentoring.
3. To address and advise prospective students, parents, influencers and other constituents on issues relating to student recruitment, outlined previously, where performance and the outcomes of the advice given will directly affect the image and reputation of the University with its key stakeholders at the first critical stage of the relationship. 4. In a professional and timely manner, the post holder must respond and seek to resolve any queries and problems directed to them as a member of University staff on site by prospective students and their influencers; these may at times be unrelated to their own activities where, for example, individuals have been dealing with other parts of the organisation, such as Admissions, the International Office, Student Services or Faculties. 5. To support the wide range of activities undertaken within the Department of Marketing and Communications in support of student recruitment, including Higher Education Fairs, Open Days, Visit Days, business/community events, Clearing call handling and the production of marketing collateral. 3. Supervisory Responsibility: None 4. Supervision Received: Marketing Manager/Schools and Colleges Liaison Officers 5. Contacts: Potential students, applicants, parents, carers, teachers and advisers B. REQUIREMENTS OF POSTHOLDER: 6. Work Experience/Formal Qualifications: An honours degree from Birmingham City University Experience of working as an ambassador or mentor while at University would be an advantage Experience of working with young people 7. Skills/Abilities: A passion for working with young people and mature learners and those that influence them, with an ability to identify and understand the needs of these groups and conduct themselves appropriately and professionally to avoid any liability or injury. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Good presentation and public speaking skills. High level of literacy and numeracy. Computer literate, proficient in Microsoft Office.
Personality/Disposition: Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to adapt to the needs and requirements of different audiences. Team player, capable of working with minimum supervision, frequently independently away from home and in high pressured environments. A caring, empathetic, considered approach with the inclination and confidence to handle difficult situations in a sensitive and confidential manner. Highly articulate with the ability to think on feet and respond quickly to situations, problems and queries. Ability to conduct themselves appropriately and professionally and be a positive role model to minors. The ability to keep calm under pressure is critical. 8. Other Requirements (including special items) An understanding of child protection issues and how it plays a key role in the work that the team undertake All staff are required to work on Saturday open days and some evenings. The role requires the post holder to work away from home during UCAS fairs.
PERSON SPECIFICATION Job Title: Schools and Colleges Event Assistant Grade & Salary: 21,460-24,068 per annum Post Ref: 092014-04 School/Section: N/A Faculty/Department: Marketing and Communications Reports to: Marketing Manager Essential Desirable How Identified 1. Physical High level of professional presentation Interview 2. Qualifications Honours degree from Birmingham City University Application form/production prior to appointment 3. Experience 4. Training Experience of working with young people N/A Experience of working as an ambassador or mentor while at University would be an advantage 5. Special Knowledge Knowledge of the general curriculum, post-16 curriculum and post 18 options and the variety of progression routes Must be a recent 6. Circumstances graduate from Birmingham City University 7. Personal Skills Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to adapt to the needs and requirements of different audiences Team player, capable of working with minimum supervision, frequently independently away from home in high pressured environments
8. Practical and Intellectual Skills A caring, empathetic, considered approach with the inclination and confidence to handle difficult and sensitive situations in a confidential manner Highly articulate with the ability to think on feet and problem solve Ability to conduct themselves appropriately and professionally and be a positive role model to minors Ability to work towards tight deadlines and to prioritise workloads Tact and diplomacy and the ability to work collaboratively To keep calm under pressure and to be sensitive to FE and HE environment Appropriate level of clearance by DBS A passion for working with young people, mature learners and influencers with the ability to understand the needs of these groups Excellent written and verbal communication skills Good presentation and public speaking skills High level of numeracy and literacy Computer literate, proficient in Microsoft Office Post interview
9. Legal Requirements 10. Other Requirements Demonstrates a commitment to the University s core values of Excellence, People Focused, Partnership Working, Fairness and Integrity. An understanding of child protection issues and how it plays a key role in the work that the team undertake Driving License and access to a vehicle Ability to work evening and work away from home