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Director of Employability Further particulars

The Duke of Kent building and the lake, Stag Hill campus

June 2014

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The University of Surrey Profile

The University of Surrey is one of the UK’s leading professional, scientific and technological universities with a world class research profile and a reputation for excellence in teaching and research. Ground-breaking research at the University is bringing direct benefit to all spheres of life – helping industry to maintain its competitive edge and creating improvements in the areas of health, medicine, space, the environment and mobile communications, leading research into 5G and next generation technology. In addition to the campus on 150 hectares just outside Guildford, Surrey, the University also owns and runs the Surrey Research Park, which provides facilities for 140 companies employing 2,750 staff. The University's origins can be traced back to 1894, with a commitment to first rate academic activity and to real world solutions. Today, we remain true to those goals and have an ambitious strategic agenda to be in the Top 100 universities in the world by 2017.

The President and Vice Chancellor is Professor Sir Christopher Snowden FRS. He is a member of the Prime Minister's Advisory Council for Science and Technology and he became President of Universities UK in August 2013.

An international outlook

The University of Surrey is ranked in the top 50 of the world’s most international universities by the Times Higher Education (THE).

Surrey achieved 39th position in the prestigious Top 100 List, based on the International Outlook indicator from the Times Higher Education World University rankings for 2013-14.

Our goal is to work with international partners to tackle the global challenges we face. We actively explore opportunities for high quality joint research with government, industry and charitable organisations.

As part of the University Global Partnership Network (UGPN), which involves the University of Sao Paulo and North Carolina State University, the University of Surrey is enhancing its international strategy by engaging in a new approach to partnerships, focusing on enhancing our depth of engagement with a small number of institutions across the world.

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In addition, the University has a campus in China, run in partnership with the Dongbei University of Finance and Economics in Dalian, which offers programmes in Tourism and Business Management.

Research excellence

The University of Surrey undertakes pioneering research with a focus on relevant and practical applications. The results of the UK Universities' Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008 confirmed that the University of Surrey continues to consolidate its strength as a world-class, research-intensive institution with 99% of our research units rated world-leading, internationally excellent, or were recognised internationally or nationally.

Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programmes

Our wide variety of degree programmes is designed to reflect students’ needs, and those of society and industry, while retaining academic rigour.

We also offer a diverse programme of postgraduate research across a broad spectrum including everything from dance to investigations into atomic structures. Programmes of study can lead to qualifications such as Doctor of Engineering (EngD) as well as the traditional PhD and MPhil.

Building business success with research excellence

The University, together with local and regional stakeholders, has a major new vision for the region, aimed at bringing together the strands of research, innovation, student enterprise and economic impact around four major clusters of activity:

* Connected Digital Economy, 5G Mobile communications and Future Internet Technologies

* Veterinary and human health medicine

* Satellite design and manufacture for global sensing, sustainability, energy and security

* Agile innovation and SME support and Sci-Tech Corridor

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The 5G Innovation Centre

The 5G Centre will provide industry with a world-leading real-time experimental facility for testing and optimising advanced technologies, underpinning the development of the new mobile broadband internet products and services. This will give Surrey the opportunity to be a major influencer in critical standardisation and radio regulatory bodies in the emerging 5G arena.

The consortium, which includes: Aeroflex, AIRCOM International, BBC, BT, EE, Fujitsu Laboratories of Europe, Huawei, Ofcom, Rohde & Schwarz, Samsung, Telefonica and Vodafone, has pledged time, expertise and other contributions which together total more than £30 million. This will be added to the £11.6m that was awarded by the Higher Education Funding Council of England (HEFCE) under the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UKRPIF) in autumn last year.

Stag Hill campus from the air

£1.4 billion Economic Impact

Surrey plays a strong regional role in the prosperous South East of England, and owns and runs the 70 acre Surrey Research Park, which provides facilities for around 140 companies (including registered and active subsidiaries).

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A report which looks at the economic impact of the University of Surrey has revealed that, in 2012/2013, the Institution and its Research Park generated 1.4 billion for the UK economy and supported almost 16,200 jobs in the area.

(Produced by independent economic development consultancy, BiGGAR Economics, the study considers the impacts that the University has on the town the region and the country and is a useful insight into the overall benefit of having a top ten UK University located in the area).

The University also has the most successful Business Angel Club, the Surrey 100, now under the leadership of Michael Queen, former CEO of one of the world’s largest investment companies, 3i. The financial investment potential of the Surrey 100 Club coupled with the world class incubation facilities provided by the Surrey Incubation Centre on the Surrey Research Park provide a major impetus for new business growth.

Surrey Space Centre

The unique partnership between the Surrey Space Centre (SSC) of the University, Astrium and Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL) has resulted in new research products with commercial opportunities. SSTL is a unique spin-out company. SSC is the largest research group of its kind in the UK. In a European context, the Surrey Space Centre has been awarded the largest Space R&D project in Europe, the RemoveDEBRIS active debris removal space mission.

Increasingly, Surrey's key research centres are being linked to UK national priorities. For example, the Centre for Communications and Systems Research (CCSR) is engaged in both the satellite applications programme and in leading activity in the future development of the internet via "Internet of Things" and the "Connected Economy".

In 2011, the University opened the ISIC Surrey business incubation facility linking the Surrey Space Centre (SSC) with high tech businesses using the growing range of data and services supplied by a new generation of small satellites.

Surrey is linked to the UK International Space Innovation Centre based at Harwell in Oxfordshire and plays a key role in UK Government's strategy to grow the UK share of the $400 billion space market.

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£45 million School of Veterinary Medicine

Our vision is to build a centre of excellence for veterinary medicine and science in the South East and develop a school that embraces the ‘One Health – One Medicine’ philosophy to foster interdisciplinary collaborations in research and health care for humans and animals. The new buildings are scheduled to open in 2015. The new BVMSci degree will utilise the University’s close links with local, national and international clinical and research partners and offers students the chance to develop vital communication and business skills through the Guildford School of Acting and Surrey Business School.

Location and campus

The University campus is set in 700 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds on the edge of Guildford's historic town centre, and just a short walk from the rail station. London is 30 minutes away by train and the University is within easy reach of Heathrow and Gatwick international airports.

Guildford High Street, Surrey

Fantastic facilities

The University benefits from major national facilities on campus including the Ion Beam Centre, used by academics from other universities, and Surrey Sports

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Park, a world-class development that’s home to a range of professional teams, athletes and sporting events.

Multi-million-pound investments abound. The Ivy Arts Centre, the Manor Park student village and the Library & Learning Centre all represent major recent projects, with the new School of Veterinary Medicine and the 5G Innovation Centre continuing the trend of investing in the best.

Surrey in the leading domestic League Tables

Over the past few years, the University has dramatically strengthened its league table position across all the main university league tables.

In June 2014, Surrey was placed 6th overall in the Guardian League Table of universities, behind only Cambridge, Oxford, St. Andrews, Bath and Imperial.

In May 2014, Surrey was placed 12th overall in the Complete University Guide League Table.

The Times/Sunday Times League Table is due to be published later in the summer. Last year (August 2013), Surrey was placed 12th.

Surrey also has an outstanding recent record in the National Student Survey. In the most recent survey (2013), Surrey was placed joint 9th.

Student Employability at Surrey

The University of Surrey is committed to being a leading national and international university. The University’s high quality teaching, learning, research and enterprise will be delivered in a financially and environmentally sustainable manner within an academic community that values collegiality and professionalism, providing students with skills that allow them to maximise their potential. A sector-leading Employability and Careers Services is consistent with and essential to this ambition.

We are at a key point in our development. Until now, different services supporting student employability have worked in partnership with each other and yet formally have remained separate from each other. The opportunity now arises to change this and to bring different employability services together under the single direction of a new Director of Employability. Notably, this

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means that the new Director of Employability will assume responsibility for the Surrey Professional Training Year programme and oversee the work of the Careers Services. The University will also look to the Director of Employability to broaden the range of employability and career-planning services available to students, leading on new initiatives that might include summer internships support and new modes of delivery of established support.

The Surrey Professional Training Year programme (PTY programme)

The Surrey Professional Training Year programme is one of the most envied programmes of its type in the world. The majority of Surrey students have the opportunity to take part in the programme at the end of their second year of undergraduate study which gives students vital experience of the professional environment. The University works with over 2,300 partner organisations to provide these opportunities, many of which are FTSE 100 companies, with many opportunities for students abroad.

One of the distinctive features of the programme is that it is an integral part of most degree programmes and it is embedded into the academic curriculum. The PTY modules are credit bearing, indicating the value the University puts on the PTY.

The Director of Employability will succeed the current Head of the programme who is ending a very distinguished period in charge. The new Director of Employability will be required to build upon the very considerable achievements of the current Head, and the Head’s colleagues in the PTY community, in sustaining the currency of the programme with employers and students, the popularity of the programme with students, and the quality of the programme generally as measured by its effectiveness in supporting student employability, its contribution to academic learning outcomes, its value to the University in upholding and further developing the reputation of the University, and its efficiency and cost efficiency. Within this context, there is considerable scope for the new Director of Employability to determine the character, content and organisation of the programme.

The Careers Service

The University has a well-functioning, well respected, successful Careers Service which is popular with students led by John Watkins, Director of the

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Careers Service. The work of the Careers Service has been central to the University’s successful employment outcomes for its students in recent years.

The University Careers Service is Matrix accredited. The most recent Matrix report included recognition of the extensive employer base and relationships, “Key stakeholders have been impressed by the strong calendar of careers events running throughout the year and the opportunities for students to have face to face contact with employers.”

The Careers Service runs the Surrey Careers Fairs, which are sector leading. In October 2013, 124 organisations were part of the Autumn Fair, making one of the largest stand-alone single day events of its kind. It included innovations such as an Employability Zone and an area dedicated to Professional Training as well as the more traditional employer stands.

The Director of Employability will work with the Director of the Careers Service to blend the Careers Service into the new Employability and Careers structure. The Director of Employability will line-manage the Director of the Careers Service.

Surrey and the Destination of Leavers of Higher Education Return

(DLHE Return)

Surrey’s impressive and longstanding reputation for student employability is evidenced by the results of the annual Destination of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE). Surrey is consistently at or near the top of this key employability performance indicator. Indeed, using the last 5 years as a meaningful, representative period, Surrey’s average employability rate of 95% puts it in first place nationally.

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The Post of Director of Employability in detail

Reporting directly to the Vice-President and Registrar, the Director of Employability will be responsible for the leadership and management of the new Employability and Careers Service supporting student employability.

The Director of Employability will bring vision and strategic leadership to student employability. They will assume responsibility for the University’s pioneering Professional Training Year programme as well as the University’s widely acclaimed Careers Service which is led by the Director of the Careers Service. By so doing, they will bring both operations under overarching management for the first time.

Building upon these strengths, the post holder will ensure a portfolio of employability-related services for students provided either centrally by the Employability and Careers Service or by the University’s academic Faculties, with which the Director of Employability will work in partnership. A fully joined-up and holistic approach to student employability across these various campus operations is a key outcome the University is seeking to achieve from this new post.

Statue of Alan Turing in the piazza, Stag Hill campus

This new post is a senior leadership post, the outcomes of which are strategically and operationally important to the functioning of the University.

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Problem Solving, Accountability and Dimensions of the role

The Director of Employability will be responsible for the effective, efficiency and cost efficient function of services administered and managed by the Employability and Careers Service in support of student employability. In such a way, the Director will undertake work that is vital to the delivery of the University’s core strategic objectives. He/she will be responsible for ensuring appropriate iterative channels are established and maintained between the Employability and Careers Service and other central service departments and the Faculties.

The Director of Employability will be required to oversee the University’s submission to the Destination of Leavers of Higher Education Survey (DLHE Survey) which is managed by the Director of the Career Service. The University has achieved considerable success in the DLHE return and continued success is vital to the University’s strategic ambitions. Improvements to graduate-level employability rates are targeted from an already significantly improving base.

The Director of Employability will be a senior member of University staff and the senior advisor to the Vice-President and Registrar on matters of student employability. He/she will be responsible for the provision of advice more widely to senior colleagues from across the University in areas of the post holder’s expertise, including internal boards and committees and to a wide range of external. He/she will be a professional expert in their field and is expected to have an authoritative knowledge and understanding of student employability and related matters. This knowledge and understanding may have been developed through an academic career or through an administrative career within higher education or through a career outwith the university sector.

The Director of Employability will be required to possess a high level of strategic acumen and an in depth understanding of the University’s strategic aims as well as the internal workings and political dynamics of a university setting as well as significant broader sector knowledge. He/she will apply their in-depth, comprehensive knowledge gained through substantial experience to assess complex/novel issues and develop imaginative solutions based on sound understanding of changes and developments at all levels.

The Director of Employability will apply analytical, interpretative and constructive thinking as well as a high degree of personal initiative in order to make appropriate and timely decisions that meet business needs. He/she will act as an escalation point for staff in the Employability and Careers Service

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where unusual or complex issues or problems arise. In these circumstances, they are expected to refer to their own experience and expertise to guide their staff in the identification of suitable resolutions. They will resolve the majority of issues they face; however, guidance may be sought from the Vice-President and Registrar when responding to particularly complex and/or novel situations.

Key responsibilities of the Director of Employability

Champion student employability across the University

Lead and be accountable for the new central Employability and Careers Service

Direct and lead the Professional Training Year programme. This will be a key focus. The Director of Employability will:

o determine the character, content and organisation of the

programme working through the Professional Training Year Steering Committee within strategic and academic parameters established by the University, ensuring compliance with all relevant external and internal quality assurance frameworks

o chair the Professional Training Year Steering Committee

o line manage through a dotted-line management structure and the Faculty Registrars all administrative staff supporting the programme located in the devolved administrations in the Faculty Registries

o as any appointment is made to any new administrative post supporting the programme located in the central Employability and Careers Centre, manage these members of staff

o direct and support the Faculty Professional Training Year programme Senior Tutors and oversee and support the activities of other academic staff working in support of the Professional Training Year programme

Line-manage the Director of the Careers Service

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Work collaboratively with representatives of business and industry to

optimise employment opportunities for students, be the key University

representative with employers and lever additional avenues of

collaboration with new and existing providers, national and international

bodies

Lead on the development of an integrated Internship framework to

complement the PTY programme and ensure alignment between the

various routes towards improved employability provided by the

University for its students

Work in partnership with the University recruitment agency Unitemps in support of student employability

Be responsible for budgets allocated to the Employability and Careers Service

The context

Success in this role is heavily dependent upon building strong relationships, both within the University and with external stakeholders, notably with employers. The Director of Employability will therefore be required to work collaboratively across the University and outside of it.

Key colleagues:

the Professional Training Year programme community

the staff of the University Careers Service

the Faculty Registrars

other senior members of the Vice-President and Registrar’s senior management team

the Executive Deans of the Faculties and the Faculty Managers

senior members of the VP and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs)’s Division

Marketing and Communications

Employers

Alumni

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Sector associations (and similar) connected with student employability

The Vice-President and Registrar’s Division

The Post holder will be a senior member of the Vice-President and Registrar’s Division, led by Dr David Ashton. The Division comprises c. 250 staff based in central and Faculty-based academic-related functions, ranging from student administration, to student services, health and wellbeing, recruitment and admissions and employability and careers.

Books in the University Library

Enquiries

Enquiries about this post may be made to Dr David Ashton, Vice-President and Registrar: telephone (0)1483 682040.