Outreach Assistant

University of Oxford; Oxford; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension OSPS

Travel discounts

Gym access

Job summary

Balliol College is seeking an experienced Outreach Officer to develop and implement the college’s outreach strategy across schools and colleges. The role involves leading visits, organising events, and building relationships with teachers, students, and partner institutions.

The post requires travel within the UK, strong communication skills, and the ability to work flexibly including evenings and weekends during peak periods. A degree and a driving licence are essential.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of the UK schools and colleges system, and passion for widening access and participation in Higher Education.
• Experience of organising events and carrying them through with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to create engaging social media content.

Responsibilities

• Arrange and lead school visits to Balliol and to schools and colleges, organising and delivering talks and activities.
• Support the delivery of university access programmes and events, represent the University and College at HE fairs and recruitment exhibitions such as UCAS.
• Organise outreach events, booking rooms, ordering catering and liaising with the conference manager and maintenance teams.

Skills

UK schools system

Outreach engagement

Event coordination

Social media content

Education

Degree or equivalent

Clean UK driving licence

Working with young people qualification

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Salary: Grade 4 - £27,865 - £31,879 per annum. Starting salary is based on skills and experience. There is the potential for future progression through the discretionary points to £34,802.

Contract type: Full-time, permanent

Location: Balliol College, Oxford, OX1 3BJ with some travel within the UK as required. The postholder will mainly be based in the College Office with occasional work in or at other College departments and sites. Travel includes to UK schools, in particular, but not exclusively, the College’s link region of Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

Department:The College Office

Reports to: Outreach Officer

Hours: The position is offered on a full-time basis (37.5 hours per week), with flexibility to work longer hours during specific periods, and also Bank Holidays if necessary, for which time in lieu can be taken. Normal hours of work will be during office hours (Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm), however, work outside these hours, including weekend work, may be required at busy times. Hours will be mutually agreed between the post-holder and the College Office.

Holiday: 6 weeks (30 days), plus Bank Holidays, during a complete holiday year.

5 days of the holiday entitlement are taken during the Christmas period when the College is closed. The College reserves the right to require staff to work on Bank Holidays during full term, receiving a day in lieu.

Start date: As soon as possible from the date of confirmation of offer

Notice period: 1 month on either side (during probation)
3 months on either side (after probation)

Balliol College

Situted in an historic site in central Oxford, Balliol has been a hub of learning and community since its foundation in 1263. As one of the larger colleges within the University of Oxford, it is home to roughly 860 students, with undergraduates making up just under half of the student body. The College also employs over 80 Fellows, 50 lecturers, and about 180 support staff, with Professor Seamus Perry as its current Master. While academic excellence is at the core of Balliol’s mission, visitors are often struck by the College’s informal and welcoming atmosphere. Beyond its walls, Balliol has an active and engaged global community of over 10,000 alumni and donors.

This is a varied and exciting role which requires both highly developed administrative and interpersonal skills. The College has transformed its engagement with teachers, schools and prospective applicants, particularly those from groups which are traditionally under-represented at Oxford, by extending its range of outreach activities.

Balliol College seeks an experienced, hardworking and innovative team player who will support the Outreach Officer in developing the College’s outreach strategy. The successful applicant will have the initiative, digital and administrative skills to support existing programmes and develop new ways of engaging our target audience.

The post will involve developing relationships with target schools, prospective applicants from all backgrounds and current Balliol students. There will also be frequent contact with those working in student access and outreach across Oxford University. The post holder will be involved in face to face and online events at the College and in schools within the College’s link regions.

Purpose of the Post

Balliol College is part of the East of England Consortium and has direct responsibility for providing information advice and support to schools and colleges within the counties of Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. Outreach activity is designed to ensure that all prospective applicants with the ability and potential to succeed at Oxford receive accurate information and advice about applying to Oxford and Balliol specifically.

There is a specific focus on working with teachers to ensure that they are familiar with the admission process and can access activities and resources designed to support applicants and raise attainment in schools. There is also a commitment to delivering sustained contact programmes that work with prospective applicants over a period of time. The next step is to further develop our digital presence.

This role requires flexibility, initiative and resilience as this post involves travel within the link regions some overnights stays and work outside normal office hours including evenings and weekends for which time in lieu can be taken.

Job duties and responsibilities

The main duties are included below. This is not an exhaustive list and may be amended in line with College needs.

1. Arrange and lead school visits to Balliol and to schools and colleges, organising and delivering appropriate talks and activities.
2. Support the delivery of university access programmes and events, represent the University and College at HE fairs and recruitment exhibitions such as UCAS.
3. Organise outreach events, booking rooms, ordering catering and liaising with the conference manager and maintenance teams. Maintain accurate visit records and enter information on HEAT database.
4. Contribute to the development of the student ambassador programme by recruiting and training current undergraduates and postgraduates to assist with outreach activities
5. Utilise social media channels to engage prospective applicants and advertise outreach events.
6. Respond to admissions enquiries from individuals and teachers and conduct College tours and talks.
7. Provide administrative support for events including advertising events through social media and traditional methods, responding to enquiries, producing materials for events and supporting evaluation processes and processing expense claims.
8. Carry out Right to Work checks and key processes when recruiting staff and students to work on outreach events.
9. Maintain schools mailing list and produce regular bulletins for schools detailing outreach activities and events.
10. Use data to target outreach activity effectively, gather data and feedback to evaluate the effectiveness of outreach activities according to the University’s Access and Participation Plan and College specific targets.
11. Comply with the College’s safeguarding policy, ensuring student ambassadors are fully trained and compliant with safeguarding procedures.
12. Lead on one of the outreach programmes
13. Actively support the College’s commitment to equality and diversity.
14. Undertake any such duties as may be required by the Outreach Officer or Senior Tutor/ Tutor for Admissions.

Person Specification – skills and experience

Knowledge and Experience

• Knowledge of the UK schools and colleges system, and passion for widening access and participation in Higher Education
• Knowledge of the issues and trends facing the Higher Education sector in the UK
• Experience of working with and motivating children and young adults
• Experience of working with a range of stakeholders in an institution
• Experience of organising events and carrying them through with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to create engaging social media content
• Experience of creating digital content for websites
• Experience of editing websites

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to inspire trust and confidence
• Excellent communication skills including the ability to deliver presentations to large groups
• Ability to rapidly acquire and assimilate knowledge about Oxford University’s courses and admissions process
• Team player capable of working with individuals of a variety of ages and across a range of social and professional situations
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Excellent IT skills including experience of using Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook and databases; willingness to train in new IT systems
• A high level of accuracy, organisational ability and attention to detail
• Excellent time management including the ability to prioritise tasks and work to deadlines
• Self-motivation and ability to work independently exercising sound judgement and initiative
• Demonstrate sympathy with the aims and objectives and academic values of an Oxford College and its outreach agenda
• Demonstrate an understanding of the demands of confidentiality, safeguarding and data protection
• Enhanced DBS Disclosure will be required (application can be submitted once offer of employment has been made)

Qualifications, Education and Training

• Degree or equivalent in any discipline
• Clean UK driving licence
• Relevant professional qualification related to working with young people
• Experience of working within a Higher Education institution
• Experience of working with schools and colleges
• Experience running residential events for young people
• Experience of alumni relations

Familiarity with Oxford admission arrangements

Employee Benefits

Staff meals: A free two-course lunch is available in the Hall , when the kitchens are open.

Pension Oxford University Staff Pension Scheme (OSPS). This is a contributory pension scheme, with contributions from both the employee and the College.

Travel:Interest-free ticket loans enabling the purchase of bus passes and annual rail season tickets to Oxford. Discounted travel is available on some services.

Cycle to work scheme offering discounted rates on bicycles and accessories.

Electric vehicle leasing scheme (salary sacrifice - eligibility criteria apply).

Healthcare Free flu jabs and eye tests for computer/VDU users

Free use of the College’s onsite gym and the University swimming pool

Preferential rates for other University sports facilities and the Nuffield Health gym on Woodstock Road.

University Club: Free membership of the University Club , which offers food, drink and accommodation in an exclusive space for staff, postgraduates and alumni.

Learning and personal developmen: In addition to training organised by the College, resources are available from the University.

Visitor access: Free visitor access to the 45 colleges and halls of the University, the University’s Libraries, Botanic Gardens, Arboretum and Museums.

Employee discounts: Available at local and national retailers and online services using exclusive discount codes for University staff and with a TOTUM (formerly NUS) card.

Balliol nursery: A day-time nursery on Rawlinson Road, subject to availability. Subsidised rates are available for Balliol staff.

Right to Work: Shortlisted candidates will be expected to supply original documentation proving that they have the right to work in the United Kingdom (UK).

Balliol College is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants are asked to complete a separate confidential Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form to help us fulfil our duties in this regard. Applicants should let us know if they require reasonable adjustments for any part of the recruitment process.