Student Success Advisor (open to HWU graduates only)

Grade and Salary:Grade 5 ()

FTE and working pattern: Full time 35 hours (1FTE) fixed term contract for 24 months

Detailed Description

The student Success Advisor will join an existing team on a fixed term contract for a period of 24 Student Success Advisors form part of a Global Student Success Advisor team and are a key part of the Universitys strategy to improve student retention focusing on student engagement identity and belonging. The role spans prearrival induction and transition activities as well as those related to student success engagement and retention. Advice and support spans the whole student lifecycle: thus the role of the postholders is not simply to support students at risk of leaving their University studies.

The postholders will report to the Student Experience Manager and will collaborate routinely with colleagues within Student Wellbeing across the Student Life Division with other student support services and with relevant academic staff.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

With specific reference to supporting student success the key duties and responsibilities for the role as are follows:

• Supporting a wide range of prearrival induction and transition activities;
• Supporting a wide range of activities related to student success engagement and retention e.g. workshops and information sessions and peer support initiatives;
• Early identification of and initial contact with students showing signs of being at risk of noncontinuation and providing advice and support to such students;
• Monitoring highlighting and acting on at risk and nonengagement indicators;
• Liaising with key colleagues in Schools (e.g. Personal Tutors Programme Directors) and Professional Services (Student Counsellors Advice Hub Student Union Student Service Centre Thinking of Leaving Service Disability Service) to ensure a proactive integrated and coherent approach to supporting students;
• Providing advice and support which spans the whole student lifecycle for example Temporary Suspension of Studies; Mitigating Circumstances; availability of financial and academic support.
• Providing dropin sessions and appointments for all students;
• Provide targeted support and interventions to designated characteristic student groups particularly at prearrival and transition stages;
• Supporting Schools/disciplines in the development and delivery of School/discipline specific retention and support initiatives;
• Developing and delivering content for student communications both targeted at specific student groups and for the general student population for all stages from preentry to graduation. These are to be delivered across a range of media platforms including email the myHWU Student Portal social media and print media;
• Progressing any other tasks associated with supporting student success and the work of the Student Wellbeing Services at the Scottish Campuses and equivalent services in Dubai and Malaysia.
• The job description is not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to undertake other relevant duties commensurate with the grading of the post. Activities may be subject to amendment over time as priorities and requirements evolve.

Education Qualifications and Experience

Essential Qualifications

• An Honours degree from HeriotWatt University (preferably within the last two years).

Experience

• Excellent organisational interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to present effectively to large groups (both students and HWU colleagues).
• Excellent IT skills (particularly MS Office products) and ability to use effectively institutional student systems.
• A confident friendly manner.

About our Team Student Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing Services are located within the Division of Student Life in the Registry & Academic Services Directorate.

The team is primarily focussed on supporting students at the Universitys Scottish Campuses (Edinburgh Galashiels and in Orkney) and as part of a globally integrated service also works closely with colleagues based at our campuses in Dubai and Malaysia.

The Wellbeing Service aims to provide a range of support guidance activities and advice to help students to be their best and get the most from their university experience. We engage with students throughout the student lifecycle from preenrolment to graduation and the Service is split into four main service areas are:

Counselling and Support Service

Disability Service

Student Experience Team

University Chaplaincy

How to Apply

The Student Success Advisors role is open to HWU graduates only. Applications with FULL CV (and Cover letter) can be submitted up to midnight(UK time)onSunday 8^th June 2025.

Shortlisting is anticipated w/c 9^th June 2025 and interviews are anticipated to be conducted on Thursday 19^th June 2025.

At HeriotWatt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with wellbeing and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.

HeriotWattUniversity is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected trained promoted appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

HeriotWattUniversity values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information please see our website also our awardwinning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. parttime working and job share options.