Company: Victoria College of Arts and Design Position: Student Engagement Officer Location: ON-SITE, Manchester Campus (M1 1LQ) Salary: £24,000 to £27,000 per annum Hours: Full Time, 9am – 5pm, Monday-Friday (Occasional weekend and evening work required) Department: Student Services Reporting to: Student Engagement Manager About us Victoria College of Arts and Design (VCAD) provides higher education teaching and learning in the arts, design, creative industries and business fields. Our goal is to guide and support our students on their journey to becoming successful individuals and citizens. We strive to offer the best services and resources available to ensure that our students are well-prepared for graduate-level employment within the creative industries or any other aspect of the world of work. From enrolment to graduation, we are dedicated to nurturing our students' growth, fostering their creative and critical skills and equipping them with the confidence and abilities needed to excel in a professional environment. Whether through the dedication of our lecturers and support staff, our outstanding facilities, or our network of industry connections, VCAD is committed to helping and mentoring our students so that they achieve their personal goals and build themselves sustainable and fulfilling careers. Position Overview: VCAD is looking for a proactive and dedicated Student Engagement Officer (SEO) to join our vibrant team. The SEO will play a key part in providing an exceptional academic experience by focusing on attendance, submissions and engagement. They will provide tailored support to address barriers to academic progress, ensuring students remain motivated, engaged and on track. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication and organisational skills, along with a passion for student success. The SEO will collaborate closely with lecturers and support services to monitor student progress, identify areas for intervention and help drive high retention rates. This role is integral to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where students feel connected, empowered and equipped to succeed at VCAD. Responsibilities: Maintain consistent communication and accurately record interactions with students via email, phone and in-person, ensuring timely responses while maintaining professional boundaries. Monitor, track and analyse student attendance, submissions and engagement, proactively intervening to address disengagement. Support students' academic development by conducting trainings and workshops on IT, organisational and study skills. Direct students to appropriate support services, collaborating with various departments to ensure a comprehensive approach to student success. Offer guidance on academic regulations, mitigating circumstances and processes for interruptions, deferrals and withdrawals. Organise and participate in support sessions to address student concerns, offering personalised guidance and assistance. Drive improvements in attendance rates, academic progression and overall student satisfaction. Compile and submit weekly reports on student progress, attendance trends, challenges and interventions, covering areas such as submissions, retention, and potential risks. Take minutes and maintain up-to-date weekly reports, ensuring timely and accurate documentation. Assist with administrative processes including enrolment/induction and provide suggestions for improvement. Uphold confidentiality, sharing information only when necessary and in line with institutional policies. Support other duties as directed by the Student Engagement Manager or Head of Student Experience and Outcome. Essential Requirements: (where required, training and professional development will be provided to the successful applicant by VCAD, to facilitate their ability to deliver the responsibilities of this role to an excellent standard) Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent professional experience. Excellent customer service and communication skills, with the ability to build strong relationships. Excellent interpersonal skills, including active listening and effective written and verbal communication. Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to work in a face paced environment to manage competing demands while meeting deadlines. Flexible, approachable and an excellent team player. High degree of accuracy and attention to detail. Strong IT skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel for data management and reporting, and familiarity with student management systems. Ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality and maintain appropriate boundaries. Commitment to upholding the values and policies of VCAD and partner universities. Desirable Requirements: Strong commitment to service delivery with experience in student or academic administration within higher education. (D) Benefits: Annual leave (5.6 weeks) + bank holidays. Workplace pension scheme. Company Sick Policy (from January 2025). Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) (until December 2024). Statutory maternity/paternity pays. Career development opportunities Training and self-development opportunities. Gym membership discounts Retail discount schemes Cinema discounts Grocery discounts Cycle to work Investing and savings opportunities Financial wellbeing – personal debt advise. Financial wellbeing education My Mind Pal (mental fitness) If you are passionate about supporting students in their academic journey and have the skills and experience required for this role, we encourage you to apply. Join our team at Victoria College of Arts and Design and help make a positive impact on the lives of our students.
