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    We will consider applications for employment on a part-time or other flexible working basis, even where a position is advertised as full-time, unless there are operational or other objective reasons why it is not possible to do so.

    The Department of Politics and International Studies (PAIS) is a thriving community of staff and students. We have an exciting opportunity for a pro-active individual to join our team of professional support staff in the newly-created post Student Experience Coordinator. The postholder will work with the Student Experience Team to plan, coordinate, promote and deliver student engagement activities and events that contribute towards the Department’s goal of providing an outstanding teaching, learning and student experience.

    For an informal exchange about the role, please contact Kate Wood, Academic Administrator via Katharine.Wood@warwick.ac.uk to arrange a mutually convenient time.

    Job Description

    Job Purpose

    To work as part of the PAIS Programmes Team and in close collaboration with the academics who form the PAIS Student Experience and Progression Team to plan, co-ordinate, promote and deliver student engagement activities at undergraduate, postgraduate taught and postgraduate research level in order to provide an outstanding teaching, learning and student experience. This will include managing communication to students and colleagues regarding issues such as Module Registration, SSLCs, Careers and Employability, Marking and Feedback, Student recruitment and Alumni relations. The postholder will work with members of the Senior Management Team to deliver the objectives of the department with regard to the Student Experience.

    As the successful candidate, you will be educated to A level standard (or equivalent) with relevant administrative management experience (higher education experience is desirable) and a high level of IT literacy. You should have experience in event planning and management, juggling the organisation of different elements of the role with professionalism and efficiency. Excellent communication skills, combined with the ability to build and manage effective relationships (with both staff and students) are critical for this role. You should have first-rate organisational skills, with an ability to manage your time effectively within a busy workload and be comfortable working both independently and in a team dynamic. A professional qualification in events management or marketing/communications is desirable.

    The postholder will be joining a strong and successful department across both teaching and research. Since 2016, the Department has consistently ranked 1st or 2nd in the Russell Group for overall satisfaction in the National Student Survey (NSS) and in NSS 2021 and NSS 2022, we ranked 1st among Russell Group Politics departments for ‘overall satisfaction’ and in every category assessed. Our NSS successes reflect our commitment to academic support and the centring of the student voice in our education strategy and prioritising the role of identity, partnership and community building in developing a ‘bottom-up’ approach to the student experience. We are excited to bring this new role to the department to further develop the expansion of our PAIS Student Experience team.

    Duties & Responsibilities

    Student Experience and Events:

    • Work closely with the PAIS Student Experience and Progression Team and the Academic Administrator to develop, organise and promote an annual programme of student engagement activities to support and enrich students' learning experience and enhance their broader engagement beyond the curriculum. Ensure that all communications adhere to organisational guidelines, Consumer Protection guidelines and GDPR.
    • Engage with the student body, student representatives, and student societies to foster a sense of community, consultation and contribution. Collaborate with key colleagues in the department in support of the PAIS Inclusive Education Plan to identify and remove barriers that students from underrepresented backgrounds might encounter during their time in PAIS
    • In collaboration with the Student Experience and Progression Team and the Academic Administrator recruit, train and supervise a team of Student Ambassadors, Student Voice Ambassadors and Bloggers to help promote the Department and oversee the annual Student Research Assistant scheme.
    • Work collaboratively with relevant staff in the Department and the wider University to maximise engagement with key departmental initiatives designed to optimise our performance in sector-wide student surveys, particularly in teaching and learning, assessment and feedback, academic support, learning resources and student voice.
    • Provide excellent event management for student recruitment and engagement activities including but not limited to: organising logistics and staffing, ensuring risk assessments are undertaken in line with the University’s Health and Safety policies, liaising with suppliers and ensuring financial regulations are adhered to, evaluating the success of each event and proposing improvements in line with the Department's student engagement strategy.
    • Work with colleagues within and beyond the department to develop the PAIS alumni network and harness the impact of PAIS alumni on the student experience and employability

    Academic Administration:

    • Support an excellent student experience by overseeing assessment feedback turnaround processes and liaising with academic colleagues regarding the return of marks and feedback
    • Manage the PAIS module evaluation process including working with colleagues to maximise student engagement and supporting the Director of Education and Departmental Administrator (Teaching & Learning) in analysing and disseminating results
    • Work with the PAIS Marketing Working Group which includes central service colleagues to support the development of PAIS marketing materials for recruitment purposes.
    • Support the wider Programmes Team with preparations for examinations, the new academic year and any other tasks needed to ensure that appropriate cover is always available for student administration of current students. Deputise for the Academic Administrator when required.

    Person Specification

    The Person Specification focuses on the knowledge, skills, experience and qualifications required to undertake the role effectively. This is measured by (a) Application Form, (b) Test/Exercise, (c) Interview, (d) Presentation.

    Essential Criteria:

    • Experience of working in Higher Education Administration or similar sector. (a)
    • Ability to build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including students, academics, alumni, service providers (a, c)
    • Experience of successfully using a range of IT systems, including familiarity with databases, spreadsheets and web communication systems (a, c)
    • Experience of planning, organising and promoting successful events to large, diverse cohorts including the ability to write concisely and thoughtfully for internal and external audiences. (a, b, c)
    • Evidence of excellent problem-solving skills and a willingness to seek and implement solutions to complex problems (a, b, c)
    • Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy, including effective planning, prioritisation and time management skills with the ability to be flexible to meet the changing demands of the role. (a, c)
    • Ability to successfully work in collaboration with colleagues and provide appropriate support and guidance to team members (a, c)
    • Experience of careful management of sensitive student data in line with the General Data Protection Regulations, information security, and data retention requirements (a, c)
    • Ability to listen and empathise with students who have pastoral and/or study related difficulties, preferably in a higher education setting (a, c)

    Desirable Criteria:

    • Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment, with cultural sensitivity and awareness (a, c)
    • Professional qualification in events management or marketing/communications (a)
    • Educated to degree level standard or experience of working in a Higher Education environment (a)

    Further Particulars

    PAIS is one of the UK’s leading Politics and International Studies departments: in the 2023 The Times/The Sunday Times Good University Guide PAIS ranked 2rd of the 80 UK Politics Departments; in REF2021 and REF2014 we were awarded 100% 4* for research environment; and since 2016 PAIS has ranked as number 1 or 2 for ‘overall satisfaction’ in Russell Group for Politics in the National Student Survey (NSS).

    PAIS values diversity, aims to challenge discrimination, and promotes equality. We are committed to strengthening our equality, diversity and inclusion agenda in relation to our community (students and staff), our research and teaching practices, and our curricula. Applications are particularly encouraged from groups that are presently under-represented in PAIS, including individuals who identify as Black, Asian and other under-represented ethnicities, women, those with disabilities, those who identify as LGBTQUA+ people, and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. We are committed to supporting all our staff in their work in PAIS.

    For further information about the University of Warwick, please read our University Further Particulars.

    For further information about the department, please visit thedepartmental website.

    Warwick is committed to building an organisation of mutual respect and dignity, promoting a welcoming, diverse and inclusive working and learning environment. We recognise that everyone is different in a variety of visible and non-visible ways, and that those differences are to be recognised, respected, and valued. Where possible, we go beyond legislation to provide a place where everyone can thrive, supporting all staff to achieve their full potential. We aspire to remove economic, social and cultural barriers that may otherwise prevent people from succeeding.

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