Senior Adviser, Student Engagement and Employability

Victoria University of Wellington; Wellington; On-site; NZD 54,000 - 72,000; Part time

Job summary

Victoria University of Wellington is seeking a Senior Adviser, Student Engagement and Employability to lead Work-Integrated Learning initiatives across the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. The role coordinates the FHSS302 Internship and drives partnerships with industry, NGOs and employers.

The successful candidate will teach, develop curriculum, and provide strategic leadership to enhance graduate employability, workforce readiness, and student transition into the workforce.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to work effectively at both strategic and operational levels.
• Demonstrable knowledge of, and experience in, Work-Integrated Learning practices.
• Experience in teaching, curriculum development and supervision of students, ideally in a tertiary environment.
• Advanced interpersonal, presentation, networking and influencing skills with the ability to represent the University professionally.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to plan, prioritise, and budget.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic advice and operational leadership to the Faculty on student engagement and employability initiatives.
• Lead Faculty-wide Work-Integrated Learning strategy, policy development, planning, and evaluation.
• Build and maintain strong industry, community, NGO, and employer partnerships.
• Source and establish high-quality WIL opportunities that align student capability with academic requirements.
• Oversee the delivery of FHSS internship programmes including student attraction, selection, support, and evaluation.
• Teach and coordinate the FHSS302 Internship, ensuring programme quality and compliance.
• Collaborate with colleagues across FHSS and the wider University to enhance employability outcomes.
• Provide line management and oversight for the FHSS WIL Coordinator role.

Skills

Strategic leadership

WIL (Work-Integrated Learning)

Teaching & curriculum development

Stakeholder engagement

Course coordination

Line management

Budgeting & planning

Interpersonal communication

Education

Master’s degree or above

Job description

• Are you ready to lead student‑industry engagement initiatives?
• Do you have a background in Work-Integrated Learning Practices or learning design?
• Have you got demonstrated experience teaching and coordinating courses in a tertiary environment?

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is currently recruiting for a Senior Adviser, Student Engagement and Employability to join Te Wāhanga Aronui - Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (FHSS) team on a permanent, part-time (0.6 FTE) basis.

This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic and student focused leader to make a meaningful impact on graduate employability and workforce readiness.

Reporting to the Dean, FHSS, you will provide leadership for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) across the Faculty. WIL at the University integrates academic learning with real world experience, including internships, placements, and practicums. In this role, you will drive the development, coordination, and evaluation of WIL initiatives, ensuring students gain relevant, high-quality experiences aligned with employer expectations. You will also coordinate and teach the FHSS Internship course (FHSS302), overseeing internship sourcing, student selection, stakeholder engagement, and course delivery.

This varied and exciting role blends strategy, partnership development, and teaching practice. It focuses on developing the Faculty’s capacity and capability to support and enhance student transition into the workforce.

Applications from current academic staff (TIP) seeking a secondment opportunity will also be considered.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide strategic advice and operational leadership to the Faculty on student engagement and employability initiatives.
• Lead Faculty‑wide Work‑Integrated Learning strategy, policy development, planning, and evaluation.
• Build and maintain strong industry, community, NGO, and employer partnerships.
• Source and establish high‑quality WIL opportunities that align student capability with academic requirements.
• Oversee the delivery of FHSS internship programmes including student attraction, selection, support, and evaluation.
• Teach and coordinate the FHSS302 Internship, ensuring programme quality and compliance.
• Collaborate with colleagues across FHSS and the wider University to enhance employability outcomes.
• Provide line management and oversight for the FHSS WIL Coordinator role.

Ō pūmanawa - About you

You will be a highly motivated, positive individual who is passionate about supporting a world‑class student experience and embedding best‑practice Work-Integrated Learning that meets the needs of the University and our stakeholders.

Key requirements:

• Proven ability to work effectively at both strategic and operational levels.
• Demonstrable knowledge of, and experience in, the development and implementation of Work-Integrated Learning practices.
• Experience in teaching, curriculum development and supervision of students, ideally in a tertiary environment.
• Advanced interpersonal, presentation, networking and influencing skills with the ability to represent the University professionally and positively.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to effectively plan, prioritise, and budget.
• A relevant qualification at Master’s-level or above.
• Knowledge of the Wellington business/NGO/not-for profit sectors is desirable.
• Experience managing staff is also desirable.

Close date for vacancy: 28 September 2026.