Senior Careers Advisor

About The Role

We are seeking an exceptional and experienced Senior Careers Adviser to join our Student Support team. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate careers professional to play a leading role in developing an innovative, high-quality careers service that raises aspirations and improves progression outcomes for every student.

As our senior careers expert, you will deliver outstanding impartial careers guidance, lead on quality assurance and continuous improvement, and drive innovation across our careers programme. You will develop and strengthen strategic partnerships with universities, employers, apprenticeship providers and industry to create meaningful experiences that broaden students’ horizons and prepare them for their future.

You will also champion the Gatsby Benchmarks, support colleagues through coaching and CPD, and use labour market intelligence and destination data to continually enhance our provision.

We are looking for an experienced Careers Adviser with a Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development, a proven track record of delivering excellent CEIAG, developing impactful partnerships and embedding quality across services. You will be ambitious, collaborative and committed to ensuring every student has the knowledge, confidence and opportunities to achieve their potential.

• Deliver independent, impartial careers guidance for students with complex progression needs, supporting progression into Higher Education, apprenticeships, employment and further learning.
• Undertake in-depth, one-to-one guidance interviews for students with the most complex or additional needs, including care-experienced students, young carers, students with SEND, and those at risk of not achieving a positive destination.
• Take a lead role in supporting UCAS applications, working closely with Personal Tutors and Progress Coaches.
• Act as the College’s lead practitioner and subject matter expert for Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG), driving continuous improvement and ensuring alignment with national guidance and best practice.
• Provide professional direction to the Careers and Progression Team, ensuring guidance practice is consistent, current and reflects statutory and best-practice frameworks.
• Lead Gatsby Benchmark implementation, Matrix Standard compliance, quality assurance, destination analysis and evaluation of the College’s careers programme.
• Develop and strengthen strategic partnerships with employers, Higher Education institutions, and external organisations to expand progression opportunities, industry engagement and student experiences.
• Establish specific pathways and progression routes with universities and employers for identified cohorts of students.
• Lead innovation and service improvement, using labour market intelligence, destination data and student feedback to enhance progression outcomes and support the College’s strategic objectives.
• Design and deliver careers-related CPD, coaching and guidance for the Careers and Progression Team and curriculum staff, embedding careers education across the College.

• Working knowledge of national careers frameworks and quality standards, including the Gatsby Benchmarks, Matrix Standard and Compass/Compass+.
• Significant recent experience of delivering independent, impartial careers guidance in an educational setting, including with students who have complex or additional progression needs.
• Up-to-date knowledge of progression routes into Higher Education, apprenticeships and employment, and understanding of 16–19 curriculum developments.
• Proven track record of developing and strengthening strategic partnerships with HE providers, employers and apprenticeship providers.
• Working knowledge of UCAS processes, with evidence of supporting complex or higher-need UCAS applications.

• Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development (or an equivalent Level 6 careers qualification).
• Registration with, or eligibility for, membership of the Career Development Institute (CDI).
• A good standard of formal education, including GCSE Maths and English at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent).