Support and Retention Adviser

University of Winchester; Winchester; Hybrid; GBP 33,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Beautiful campus

Hybrid work

Benefits & discounts

Learning & development

Health & wellbeing

Salary increments

Pension scheme

Generous holidays

Job summary

University of Winchester invites applications for a Support and Retention Adviser to join the Department for Student Support and Success. The role focuses on engaging students, fostering retention, and building confidence and aspiration across the student body.

You will help create an active learning community and develop targeted interventions at faculty levels. The role requires an undergraduate degree and compassionate, flexible, boundary-aware guidance.

Qualifications

• Experience providing guidance and support to people in distress.
• Undergraduate level education or higher.
• Compassionate and empathetic, with clear boundaries.

Responsibilities

• Support positive student engagement and the student experience.
• Assist with retention initiatives and interventions at faculty/programme level.
• Contribute to building an active learning community and student progression.

Skills

Guidance support

Empathy

Flexibility

Education

Undergraduate degree

Job description

Support and Retention Adviser

Full time, 37 hours per week

£27,319 to £30,378 per annum

The University of Winchester has an exciting opportunity to join the Department for Student Support and Success as a Support and Retention Adviser (SARA). The University has a long-standing commitment to providing students with support and guidance to help provide a positive student experience and engagement. Good quality support, both at an individual and cohort level, plays an important role in the retention of students, the motivation of students to build confidence for student success (progression and employability) and in building a strong sense of a learning community. To enhance the support offered to students, the University has developed a model of focused support in each of our faculties to be led by the team of Support and Retention Advisers.

You will play an important part in supporting positive student engagement with the University, enhance the student experience, facilitate student retention and build confidence and aspiration amongst the student body. Our ideal candidate will play a key role in creating an active learning community and developing interventions to address areas of concern at a faculty or programme level.

Applications are welcome from those with the demonstrable knowledge and experience of providing guidance and support to people in distress. It is essential that applicants have the required skills to offer support to students during their transition into Higher Education and throughout their studies. Educated to undergraduate level, our ideal candidate will be compassionate, empathetic and flexible whilst recognising and maintaining boundaries.

As a University group we believe our offer is compelling. This includes:

• Beautiful campus and working environment
• Hybrid working possibilities for many roles
• Broad range of benefits and discount schemes
• Learning and Development opportunities
• Health and wellbeing provision, including on site gym
• Competitive salary framework, including annual increments
• Defined contribution pension scheme
• Generous holiday entitlements

Employer

• Internal applicants: your employer will remain unchanged
• External applications: University of Winchester Services Ltd

Closing Date: 21 September 2026

Interview Date: 7 & 8 October 2026

To educate, to advance knowledge and to serve the common good.