Careers Officer

Matthew Arnold School; Packmoor; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Matthew Arnold School is seeking a proactive Careers Officer to lead impartial careers education, information, advice and guidance. You will help students plan further education, training and career routes, and coordinate the Year 10 work experience programme.

The role requires delivering presentations, building strong external links and monitoring Gatsby Benchmarks to ensure positive outcomes for all learners.

Qualifications

• Has experience of careers education, guidance, youth support, education or a related field.
• Holds, or is working towards, a recognised careers guidance qualification (Level 4/6 desirable).
• Has excellent communication, organisation and administrative skills.
• Can build positive and professional relationships with young people, parents and external partners.
• Is confident delivering presentations and working with groups of students.
• Has strong ICT skills and the ability to manage data effectively.
• Is committed to raising aspirations and supporting students to achieve their full potential.
• Shares our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality careers guidance to students through one-to-one interviews, group sessions and presentations.
• Coordinate the Year 10 work experience programme.
• Organise careers events, including careers fairs, employer engagement activities and careers mornings.
• Support students with KS4, Post-16 and Post-18 progression pathways, including UCAS guidance.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with employers, colleges, universities and training providers.
• Monitor and support the school's compliance with the Gatsby Benchmarks and careers programme objectives.
• Collect and analyse destinations data and produce reports as required.
• Work collaboratively with staff, students, parents and external agencies to promote positive outcomes for all learners.

Skills

Careers guidance

Communication skills

Organisation

Administrative skills

ICT skills

Education

Level 4/6 career guidance qualification

Job description

Careers Officer

Start date: November 2026

Grade: Grade 8

Hours per week: 37 Hours per week

Working weeks: Term Time only - 39.8 working weeks (39 weeks plus Term Time Plus 4 Days) Includes INSET’s and GCSE/A Level results days

Contract: Permanent

About the School

Matthew Arnold is a thriving community school on the outskirts of Oxford, and we are looking to appoint Careers Officer.

Matthew Arnold is an oversubscribed inclusive 11-18 school of over 1,300 pupils that serves a mix of urban and rural communities across the west side of Oxford. The school prides itself on being a high achieving school with increasing rates of progress for our disadvantaged students. This has been achieved by focusing on improving outcomes for every student and continuing staff development.

The school is part of the Acer Trust. All schools in the Trust play an important part in the success of the Trust and work together collaboratively so that each school in the Trust is a great place to learn and to work.

About the Role

We are seeking an organised, proactive and student-focused Careers Officer to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in helping students make informed decisions about their future education, training and career pathways.

Candidate needs to have a Level 4 Diploma in Career Guidance and Advice or willingness to work towards it

Working closely with the Assistant Headteacher, you will lead the delivery of impartial careers education, information, advice and guidance, ensuring students are well prepared for their next steps and have access to a wide range of opportunities and experiences.

Responsibilities:

• Provide high-quality careers guidance to students through one-to-one interviews, group sessions and presentations.
• Coordinate the Year 10 work experience programme.
• Organise careers events, including careers fairs, employer engagement activities and careers mornings.
• Support students with KS4, Post-16 and Post-18 progression pathways, including UCAS guidance.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with employers, colleges, universities and training providers.
• Monitor and support the school's compliance with the Gatsby Benchmarks and careers programme objectives.
• Collect and analyse destinations data and produce reports as required.
• Work collaboratively with staff, students, parents and external agencies to promote positive outcomes for all learners.

Requirements:

• Has experience of careers education, guidance, youth support, education or a related field.
• Holds, or is working towards, a recognised careers guidance qualification (Level 4/6 desirable).
• Has excellent communication, organisation and administrative skills.
• Can build positive and professional relationships with young people, parents and external partners.
• Is confident delivering presentations and working with groups of students.
• Has strong ICT skills and the ability to manage data effectively.
• Is committed to raising aspirations and supporting students to achieve their full potential.
• Shares our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.