Student Life Generalist Advisor

Opportunity Review: Student Life Generalist Adviser at the University of Bradford

The University of Bradford is an institution renowned for its dedication to social, cultural, and economic impact, consistently ranking as a leader in social inclusion. Their commitment to empowering students to achieve their full potential has earned them the top spot on the Social Mobility Index of English universities for two consecutive years. If you are passionate about supporting students and contributing to a forward-thinking academic environment, this role as a Student Life Generalist Adviser presents a compelling opportunity.

This position is integral to the newly formed Student Life Service, which consolidates existing teams to provide a comprehensive, front-line support system for students. This service aims to offer high-quality advice, guidance, and support across a spectrum of university, financial, and welfare matters. The role also emphasizes the University's strong commitment to safeguarding, ensuring a secure and supportive environment for all.

Advantages for Potential Candidates:

• Impactful Role: As the first point of contact, you will play a crucial role in triaging student inquiries, ensuring that specialist advisors can focus on complex and high-risk cases. This means your work directly contributes to the efficient and effective support of the student body.
• Skill Development: This role offers excellent opportunities for professional growth. You will gain experience in managing initial queries across various platforms (face-to-face, email, phone), assessing student needs, and making appropriate referrals. You will also develop expertise in providing initial advice on student financial support and assessing hardship fund applications.
• Supportive Environment: The University of Bradford fosters a family-friendly atmosphere with generous holiday entitlement (25 days plus 13 statutory/customary days) and a commitment to work-life balance.
• Vibrant Campus Life: Benefit from great campus facilities and access to various employee benefits, including salary sacrifice schemes and a campus nursery, contributing to a positive and convenient working experience.
• Contributing to Excellence: Be part of an institution that is a recognized leader in social mobility, actively working to expand opportunity and enable students to thrive.

Key Considerations for Your Career Path:

• Fixed-Term Contract: This role is a fixed-term position until July 31st, 2025, to cover maternity leave. Candidates should consider how this aligns with their long-term career aspirations.
• On-Campus Presence: The nature of this front-line student support role requires a significant on-campus presence, with limited scope for remote working. If you thrive in a collaborative, in-person environment, this is an advantage.
• Career Progression: While this is a Generalist Adviser role, the experience gained in triage, initial advice, and assessment can serve as a strong foundation for future specialist roles within student support services, either at the University of Bradford or other institutions.
• Understanding Student Needs: This role demands empathy, strong communication skills, and the ability to quickly assess and respond to a diverse range of student needs, often under pressure. Candidates who excel in these areas will find this role particularly rewarding.

For those seeking to embark on a career dedicated to student welfare and support within a leading university, the Student Life Generalist Adviser position at the University of Bradford offers a valuable stepping stone, providing essential experience and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the student journey.