Student Success & Inclusion Coordinator

Fixed Term until 31/07/2024 The University of Southampton Widening Participation and Social Mobility (WPSM) Directorate are pleased to be recruiting for a new Student Success and Inclusion Coordinator to focus on coordinating the Vice-Chancellor’s Progression Scheme (VCPS) and support the coordination of the Ignite Your Success programme.  The Office for Students have recognised the risk of progression from higher education as part of their new Equality of Opportunity Risk Register (Risk 12). The Vice-Chancellor’s Progression Scheme is the University’s new post-graduate widening participation scheme which launched this academic year to help tackle Risk 12 and its associated barriers. VCPS is a comprehensive support package that provides various students currently underrepresented in higher education with financial support, specialist career coaching, pastoral and academic support, networking opportunities and support with applying for a PhD. This is an exciting time to join the team as the Scheme grows. VCPS is supported by the University’s Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team, and so as part of the role you will work closely with the WPSM Career Consultant.  The Ignite Your Success programme is the University's flagship social mobility programme, which aims to increase access, reduce non-continuation, and close the awarding gaps present for students from the most disadvantaged postcodes in the country. It is a three-year, alumni-funded programme available to currently underrepresented undergraduate students. The programme offers a blend of financial, academic, career, and personal opportunities to ensure students reach their potential. Ignite is in its fourth year of existence and currently supports 120 students. This is a significant piece of work, with the awarding gap (the gap in the number of 1sts and 2:1s awarded) between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged student groups standing at 17.8% across the sector. The University is committed to reducing our awarding gap. In your time spent on Ignite, you will develop and coordinate the careers-focused aspects of the programme, including its flagship annual careers networking event, guaranteed internship provision, career mentoring and more. You will also support more broadly with the day-to-day running of the programme.  Both the VCPS and Ignite Your Success are outlined as intervention strategies in the University’s Access and Participation Plan. You will have the opportunity to shape how our strategy is delivered and make a positive impact on student outcomes.  You will be working closely with the Student Inclusion Manager and the wider Student Inclusion team, who work on a range of projects to support Student Success and inclusion for mature, care experienced, estranged and ethnically minoritised students. We aim to promote intersectionality in all aspects of our work.  The successful candidate will have experience of working with students as well as an in-depth knowledge of socioeconomic disadvantage in education. You will be responsible for coordinating the programmes, systematically embedding evaluation into activities to assess for impact. You will be able to demonstrate good networking skills, maintaining good partnership working with a range of colleagues. The University welcomes applications from Widening Participation backgrounds for this role, especially those with lived experience in higher education. Please be assured that all applicants will be treated equally during the selection process. Secondment opportunities will be considered for this role.  Please note this role involves office and home-working. If you would like to discuss the role in more detail please contact Savanna Cutts, Student Inclusion Manager (S.J.Cutts@soton.ac.uk)