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Motivated by the belief that every student has the potential to achieve life-
changing success and make a society-shaping impact, this role will support the
embedding of employability and enterprise across the University of Sunderland,
and the creation of confident and motivated students who develop into
professional, adaptable, and engaged graduates with rich and rewarding life and
career prospects, by ensuring that:

Employability and enterprise development at the University of Sunderland is
informed by the latest research, policy and practice from the sector.

The impact of our work is understood and disseminated effectively to drive
change, inform research, and influence policy and priorities.

We work effectively with internal departments to be able to take advantage of
collaborative projects and funding opportunities with external partners and
stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities
and Accountabilities:

Provide regular advice to the Head of the CfGP, colleagues and stakeholders on
developments in employability and enterprise research and policy in economic
and educational settings.

Design, monitor and review approaches to measuring the impact of CfGP
activities and University of Sunderland students and graduates in the
workplace.

Lead the preparation of CfGP’s contribution to research and/or strategic
development project, partnership and/or funding proposals, liaising with, and
coordinating the contributions of a variety of CfGP teams and University
colleagues.

Act as project manager for small CfGP research and/or policy development
initiatives including the management of any fixed-term or casual staff, and
associated budgets.

Research, design and deliver professional development training for CfGP staff
and stakeholders linked to research, policy and practice.

Lead on the preparation of external reports, articles and/or conference
contributions, coordinating and editing input from across the CfGP, its
stakeholders and partners.

Participate in and contribute to relevant local and national research, policy,
and practice networks on behalf of the CfGP.

Influence the development of a CfGP culture that demonstrates its values and
guiding principles and those of the University.

Produce reports for CfGP senior management and other senior stakeholders
across the University, that use quantitative and qualitative data to illustrate
progress against the Centre’s strategic aims.

Perform other such duties as the Head of the Centre for Graduate Prospects
may from time to time require.

Special
Circumstances:

Expected to attend and participate in occasional evening and weekend working,
and travel nationally and internationally when required.

University of Sunderland
Role Profile
Part 2

Part 2A: Essential and Desirable Criteria

Qualifications and Professional Memberships

Essential:
Postgraduate degree in relevant subject, or first degree in a relevant subject

with significant applied experience.

Desirable:
Doctoral or professional qualification in research methods, teaching and

learning, education consultancy and /or market research.
Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).

Knowledge and Experience

Essential:
Proven knowledge and experience of evaluating and advising on research and

policy in an economic and/or educational environment.
Knowledge and experience of developing and delivering effective research-

informed training and resources using a range of styles and methods.
Ability to successfully develop bids for strategically relevant funding and/or

form collaborative project proposals.
Experience of developing and deploying effective quantitative and qualitative

research and evaluation approaches.
Evidence of involvement in regional and/or national networks supporting the

development of employability and/or enterprise in education.
Ability to think strategically a well as provide advice and support on immediate

operational issues.
Evidence of an enterprising and continuous improvement mindset, always

seeking opportunities to understand personal impact and improve practices.
Able to work collaboratively across a range of teams and groups of

stakeholders, taking the lead when necessary.
Experience of influencing through compelling written and engaging oral

communication skills
Analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to deliver accurate work

to time, within periods of competing priorities and to high levels of customer
satisfaction.

Desirable:
Experience of publishing research and/or policy reviews.
Experience of working in a Higher Education environment.
Knowledge and understanding of graduate employability and enterprise and

the role they play in the regulation and perception of quality and performance
in Higher Education.

Part 2B: Key Competencies
Competencies are
assessed at the
interview/selection
testing stage

Oral Communication
Routinely explains more complicated non-routine matters/policies/procedures

clearly by explaining technical/specialist terms commonly used in own area of
work.

Adapts the style of communication to the audience and ensures
understanding.

Interprets and communicates more complex, specialist or conceptual
information clearly and persuasively, presenting compelling arguments to
influence and/or negotiate satisfactory outcomes.

Written and electronic communication
Routinely required to understand, use and interpret technical/specialist terms

commonly in use in own area of work and explain complicated non-routine
matters/policies/procedures clearly through a range of appropriate methods
and with consideration to the audience.

Conveys complicated matters simply, tailors delivery methods/media to suit
the audience’s needs and ensure understanding. Uses appropriate styles and
arguments to influence and negotiate satisfactory outcomes

Knowledge and Experience
Applies a depth or breadth of experience and is able to demonstrate full

working knowledge and proficiency in own area of expertise.
Acts as a point of reference to others.
Reflects on practice and engages in continuous professional development.

Service Delivery
Adapts services and systems to meet customers’ needs and identifies ways of

improving standards.
Learns from complaints and takes action to resolve them.
Collates feedback and views from customers and keeps up-to-date with

market trends to inform service development and make changes.
Actively promotes services.

Initiative and Problem Solving
Uses judgement to analyse and solve problems.
Takes action to prevent recurrence of problems.
Considers possible solutions to identify those which offer wider benefits.
Obtains evidence to support thinking.
Resolves complex problems that occur infrequently where guidance, if

available, is not specific.
The implications of setting precedent as well as the impact across the

organisation are considered prior to taking action.

Decision Making Processes
Independently makes decisions that may have impact on immediate

team/work area and may endure for some time.
Considers the wider impact of decisions and assesses outcomes.
Works with others to make collaborative decisions that may be operational or

strategic and impact immediate team or work area.

Recommends and advises on available options for decisions that affect
operational processes, taking into account any risks.

Analysis and Research
Designs and uses data gathering and analytical methods appropriate for each

investigation, questioning assumptions and existing knowledge.
Recognises and accurately interprets patterns and trends.
Understands when additional data is required and identifies appropriate

sources. Reports findings to the wider community that identify key issues and
is able to withstand challenge by relying on evidence gathered and processes
used for analysis.

Date Completed: November 2022