University Access Officer

People who work at The Access Project are motivated by the desire to create a fairer society. We all play an active part in achieving the mission to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds access top universities.

About the role 

This vacancy is for a University Access Officer to work in three of our schools in Birmingham and The Black Country. The University Access Officer works with school staff at all levels, volunteer tutors and coaches, and with the rest of The Access Project’s team to ensure that the delivery of our programmes is optimised. The role is based in Moseley School, Wood Green Academy and Ormiston Forge Academy.  As this job is based in three schools each week and regular travel is required, a full UK driver's license is essential. 

Role responsibilities

• Work directly with students, mentoring in an impactful, professional and safe manner. 
• Engage with school staff, your Programme Manager, and students in school to ensure that you have fully enrolled cohorts across all programmes. 
• Coordinate the delivery of the programmes across allocated schools, acting as the sole on‑site representative of The Access Project. 
• Assess student progress towards being able to make successful university applications. 
• Upload information onto the Salesforce database in a timely manner (training is provided). 
• Work proactively with school staff to ensure their cooperation and timely completion of activities, enabling effective communication to contribute to the smooth running of the programmes. 
• Present at termly school meetings with Senior Management to report on our programmes progress. 
• Support the wider team by attending university site visits which take place on occasional Saturdays and weekday evenings (paid time off is provided). 
• Any other responsibilities reasonably deemed necessary by The Access Project’s Programme Managers or Director 

Person specification 

Essential: 

• Demonstrable skills in mentoring groups of students and 1:1. 
• Excellent organisation and time management skills, with the ability to deliver multiple programmes and projects at pace and manage administration accurately.    
• Able to communicate and influence with impact at all levels. 
• Resilient and adaptable. 
• Able to work towards and meet deadlines with a problem-solving mindset. 
• Able to effectively time manage and actively prioritise. 
• Able to work independently, in busy school environments, with an ownership mindset. 
• Skilled in building and maintaining excellent relationships with young people and school staff/leaders 
• Good sense of attention to detail  
• Can demonstrate an ability to take action to keep young people safe and raise concerns. 
• Desirable: 
• Experience of working in a multi-site environment

Training and Development    

You will be provided with regular monthly training so that you can develop your skills and succeed in the role. There is support from your line manager (Programme Manager), as well as guidance from more senior University Access Officers and the wider University Access Officer team across The Access Project. There are opportunities for progression, including several additional responsibility roles which are available for University Access Officers to apply for once they have completed their probationary period successfully. 

Benefits:    

• 25 days annual leave p.a. (pro rata) plus Bank Holidays  
• Plus 5 Winter closure days assigned by the organisation 
• PerkBox – offering shopping discounts, gym memberships, holiday discounts, learning and more. 
• Employee Assistance Programme, a 24-hour helpline for staff. 
• Online Medical assistance – access 24/7 to a qualified GP within minutes, with referrals and prescriptions available same-day.  
• Interest-free travelcard loans. 
• Travel-allowance for expenses over £10 per day, where applicable. 
• Cyclescheme loans. 
• 2 paid Volunteering Days 
• 1 Wellbeing Day 
• Employer’s pensions contributions (3%). 
• Learning and development opportunities 
• The Access Project welcomes requests for flexible working arrangements.