Head of Careers and Employability

Location: Kedleston Road, Derby

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.

About the role

Under the leadership of the Associate Provost – Industry Engagement, the Head of Careers and Employability will drive the creation and delivery of the University’s Careers and Employability Strategy, ensuring that the University is a transformational experience for students leading to graduate success and high skilled outcomes. Leading collaboratively, the post holder will be responsible for the delivery, quality and impact of careers and employability services for students, graduates, colleges, employers and community organisations.

Acting as the institutional figurehead in this area, the Head of Careers and Employability will provide expert advice and guidance to leadership and senior University stakeholders on all matters relating to careers and employability and lead on the creation, development and implementation of strategy aimed at increasing student engagement in employability activities both inside and outside the curriculum.

The post holder will ensure effective delivery of high-profile projects and other related strategies to optimise efficiency and embed a transformational student experience across all areas of work-based learning at the University. This will involve collaboration and engagement with the Provost – Learning and Teaching, employers, and alumni to develop a new Careers and Employability strategy, which will include the establishment of Industrial Advisory Boards across all Colleges.

About You

As the institutional figurehead, driving the University’s strategy to embed careers and employability across all areas of the institution, the University of Derby is seeking a subject-matter expert and innovative and experienced strategic leader of careers services, graduate recruitment or talent development as their next Head of Careers and Employability.

You will bring a track record of creating and delivering improvements to student and graduate outcomes in a higher education setting that meet the needs of the market and stakeholders. You will have a strong understanding of the changing dynamics of the graduate labour market and employer recruitment practices, underpinned by knowledge of relevant legislation. With up-to-date and relevant knowledge of current issues, trends and future developments in careers and employability, you will lead and inspire a high-performance team and build long lasting relationships with key stakeholders across the University and within industry that will support the development and delivery of a dynamic strategy that will have a significant and measurable impact on our students and graduates. With your knowledge and experience, you will be able to assimilate changes in the sector which may impact on the service and determine new partners for the University.

Peridot Partners have been exclusively retained for this appointment. Informal enquiries regarding this opportunity are welcome, & should be made to Dr Sophie Carney via sophie@peridotpartners.co.uk or call 07399 528307.

For more information & to apply on-line, please click the above “Apply” button.

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