Higher Education Achievement Coach

TipTopJob; South Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A local educational institution in South Yorkshire is seeking a Higher Education Achievement Coach. This role involves providing vital academic and pastoral support to students, fostering their development and addressing barriers to learning. The ideal candidate will have a degree and experience supporting diverse client groups, demonstrating strong organization and communication skills.

Benefits

Access to local government

Up to 41 days annual leave

Access to gyms, restaurants, salons

Health and wellbeing programs

Flexible working hours

Parking available

Career development opportunities

Grants for new FE teachers

Qualifications

• Experience working with and supporting a range of client groups, ideally in higher education.
• Knowledge of barriers to learning faced by HE students.
• Ability to work flexibly and independently.

Responsibilities

• Provide academic and pastoral support to higher education students.
• Contribute to the design and delivery of a structured tutorial programme.
• Support students at risk of non-completion and remove barriers to learning.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Degree-level qualification

Level 2 English and Maths

Job description

Location: Rotherham

Salary: £23,971 per annum

Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full Time

Closing Date: 20th October 2025

The Role

Are you passionate about supporting students to achieve their full potential? The Higher Education Department is seeking an energetic, innovative and flexible individual to join the team as a Higher Education Achievement Coach.

In this vital role, you will provide both academic and pastoral support to Higher Education students, promoting their personal and professional development. You will play a key part in driving equality of opportunity and widening participation, directly contributing to their Access and Participation Plan (APP) objectives. This includes providing targeted support for underrepresented groups and fostering a strong sense of belonging within the HE community.

Working closely with curriculum teams, you will contribute to the design and delivery of a structured tutorial programme, coordinate the student voice (including the National Student Survey), and use student feedback to inform improvements across the HE provision. You will also provide tailored support to students at risk of non-completion, signposting to specialist services where needed, and helping to remove barriers to learning.

Beyond supporting current students, you will also help raise aspirations by delivering resources and activities for FE learners to strengthen pathways into HE.

The role involves some cross-campus and evening working, as well as availability during the summer to support reassessments and summer school activities. You will also provide occasional reception cover at University Centre Rotherham (UCR), ensuring a welcoming and professional environment, and collaborate with colleagues across services such as library, careers, counselling and student support.

Skills And Qualifications

• Hold a degree-level qualification (plus Level 2 English and Maths or willingness to achieve).
• Have experience of working with and supporting a range of client groups, ideally within HE. Strong organisational, communication and interpersonal skills, knowledge of the barriers to learning faced by HE students, with strategies to support success.
• The ability to work flexibly, collaboratively, and independently in a demanding environment.
• Previous experience of creating/delivering support programmes, academic study skills coaching, or using student data to inform improvement would be an advantage.

Department Info

You will be line managed by the Professional Practice and Academic Standards Manager, working closely with Curriculum Team Leaders and the Higher Education Co-ordinator. The successful candidate will also work collaboratively with other cross college staff including Library staff, Student Services, Careers and Counselling Services.

Benefits

• Access to local government
• Up to 41 days annual leave per year (26) including closure during Christmas period
• Access to their gyms, restaurants and salons
• Staff health and wellbeing and benefits schemes including in-house Occupational Health service
• Full, part time and flexible working hours available in many roles
• Parking available at all of the sites
• Fantastic career development opportunities including funding for teacher training, apprenticeships and various other industry recognised qualifications
• New FE teachers can also apply for grants of up to £6,000 in STEM subjects (conditions apply) through the levelling up premium payments initiative
• Recruitment Referral Scheme for all employees, worth £200 per referral made