Senior Advisor; Part-Time

Senior Advisor - Reading Students' Union

Location:

University of Reading, Whiteknights Campus, Reading, Berkshire
Salary:
Pro rata salary £18,774.88 per annum (based on full-time equivalent of £31,291.46)

Contract:

Permanent

Hours:

21 hours per week, 0.6. FTE, worked over 3 days

Location:

Office based

Closing Date for this role is 28th September 2026.

Make a real difference to students when they need it most.

We are a dynamic, student-focused organisation dedicated to empowering students and enhancing their university experience. Our vision is to be a place for everyone, we inspire and empower students to change the world. Check out our exciting new strategy

Are you passionate about supporting people through complex situations and helping them achieve the best possible outcomes? We're looking for an experienced, empathetic and solutions-focused advisor to join our Student Advocacy team.

As a Senior Advisor, you will provide independent, confidential and impartial advice to students across a range of academic and housing matters. You'll help students understand their rights, navigate University procedures, make informed decisions and access the support they need to succeed.

This is an exciting opportunity to combine specialist advice work with wider service improvement, using your expertise and insight to help shape a better student experience across the University.

You’ll manage a varied caseload, support students through complex processes, identify emerging issues affecting students and contribute to service development, campaigns and proactive support initiatives.

• Deliver independent, confidential and impartial advice across academic and housing matters.
• Manage cases from initial enquiry through to resolution, ensuring students receive timely and effective support.
• Help students understand their rights, responsibilities and available options.
• Support students navigating complaints, academic appeals, disciplinary procedures and other University processes.
• Assist students with housing matters, including rights, responsibilities, disputes and contract checking.
• Support students preparing for meetings, hearings and formal procedures.
• Make appropriate referrals to specialist services where additional support is required.
• Adapt support to meet individual student needs and remove barriers to accessing services.

• Contribute to outreach, engagement and preventative advice activities.
• Develop resources, workshops and guidance that help students avoid common issues and access support earlier.
• Work with colleagues to identify opportunities for proactive interventions.
• Support campaigns and initiatives informed by emerging student concerns and advice trends.
• Help students develop the confidence and knowledge to make informed decisions.

• Maintain accurate, timely and confidential case records.
• Ensure compliance with data protection requirements, service standards and relevant regulations.
• Apply policies, procedures and professional judgement consistently across all casework.
• Identify and escalation safeguarding concerns, significant risks and complex issues appropriately.
• Contribute to quality assurance, reflective practice and continuous improvement activities.
• Support the successful retention of the Advice Quality Standard certification.
• Keep knowledge up to date through ongoing professional development and training.

• Identify recurring issues, emerging trends and systemic barriers affecting students.
• Record and analyse casework information to inform service improvements.
• Share evidence…