Head of Career Advantage
| Posting date: | 02 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £46,049 to £58,225 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 24 March 2026 |
| Location: | Southampton, Hampshire |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | University of Southampton |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 3355626LR |
Summary
Introduction
At the University of Southampton, we are committed to excellence in education, research and enterprise, applying our insight and inventiveness to solve complex global challenges. As a founding member of the Russell Group and a top 1% global university, we are ambitious for our students’ success.
Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise (CESE) is an essential part of the University, responsible for supporting our students and graduates to plan their future career paths and develop essential enterprising skills. We are a team of about 60 staff, covering the full range of careers, employability and student enterprise activities.
This is an exciting opportunity to lead Career Advantage – our new international employability programme – and shape a distinctive, high-impact offer that enhances outcomes and opportunities for international students in the UK and in-country.
The role
As Head of Career Advantage, you will provide strategic leadership, operational management and ongoing development of this high-profile international programme. Working within Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise (CESE), you will design and deliver a coherent, data-informed service aligned to the University Strategy, International Strategic Plan and Employability Action Plan.
You will lead and develop an international team (UK, India and China based) of 9 staff, set clear service standards and targets, manage budget and resources, and build a robust evidence base to demonstrate impact, particularly in relation to international graduate outcomes.
The role involves close partnership working with colleagues across the University, including Global Recruitment & Admissions and Development & Alumni Relations, as well as external stakeholders such as employers, professional bodies and in-country partners. You will also retain a caseload, delivering high-quality careers education, guidance and coaching to international students through workshops, embedded curriculum activity and 1:1 support.
Occasional international travel and some evening/weekend work will be required.
About you
You will hold a Level 7 careers guidance qualification recognised by the Career Development Institute and bring significant experience in higher education careers and employability.
We are looking for someone who:
Has substantial experience of working with international students and understands the opportunities and challenges they face
Has an understanding of the wider strategic picture of how HE careers and employability supports students to succeed in different graduate labour markets
Has experience of building effective stakeholder relationships and delivering positive service outcomes
This is an exciting opportunity for anyone looking for a management role including both strategic and operational responsibilities. We would strongly encourage you to contact us for an informal discussion about the role. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Katy Gordon: K.J.B.Gordon@soton.ac.uk
We are committed to supporting our staff and students, we are open to a flexible and hybrid working approach.
As well as benefits such as a generous holiday allowance and additional university closure days, we will support your long-term future too, with access to the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), subsidised health and fitness facilities and a range of discounts.
We welcome applicants that value the diversity of our community and are willing to play their part in supporting the mission of inclusivity.
Working at the University of Southampton:
Check out the staff benefits and why you should join us at The University of Southampton.
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applicants who support our mission of inclusivity.
Apply by 11.59 pm GMT on the closing date. For assistance contact Recruitment on +44(0)2380 592750 or recruitment@soton.ac.uk quoting the job number.
At the University of Southampton, we are committed to excellence in education, research and enterprise, applying our insight and inventiveness to solve complex global challenges. As a founding member of the Russell Group and a top 1% global university, we are ambitious for our students’ success.
Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise (CESE) is an essential part of the University, responsible for supporting our students and graduates to plan their future career paths and develop essential enterprising skills. We are a team of about 60 staff, covering the full range of careers, employability and student enterprise activities.
This is an exciting opportunity to lead Career Advantage – our new international employability programme – and shape a distinctive, high-impact offer that enhances outcomes and opportunities for international students in the UK and in-country.
The role
As Head of Career Advantage, you will provide strategic leadership, operational management and ongoing development of this high-profile international programme. Working within Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise (CESE), you will design and deliver a coherent, data-informed service aligned to the University Strategy, International Strategic Plan and Employability Action Plan.
You will lead and develop an international team (UK, India and China based) of 9 staff, set clear service standards and targets, manage budget and resources, and build a robust evidence base to demonstrate impact, particularly in relation to international graduate outcomes.
The role involves close partnership working with colleagues across the University, including Global Recruitment & Admissions and Development & Alumni Relations, as well as external stakeholders such as employers, professional bodies and in-country partners. You will also retain a caseload, delivering high-quality careers education, guidance and coaching to international students through workshops, embedded curriculum activity and 1:1 support.
Occasional international travel and some evening/weekend work will be required.
About you
You will hold a Level 7 careers guidance qualification recognised by the Career Development Institute and bring significant experience in higher education careers and employability.
We are looking for someone who:
Has substantial experience of working with international students and understands the opportunities and challenges they face
Has an understanding of the wider strategic picture of how HE careers and employability supports students to succeed in different graduate labour markets
Has experience of building effective stakeholder relationships and delivering positive service outcomes
This is an exciting opportunity for anyone looking for a management role including both strategic and operational responsibilities. We would strongly encourage you to contact us for an informal discussion about the role. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Katy Gordon: K.J.B.Gordon@soton.ac.uk
We are committed to supporting our staff and students, we are open to a flexible and hybrid working approach.
As well as benefits such as a generous holiday allowance and additional university closure days, we will support your long-term future too, with access to the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), subsidised health and fitness facilities and a range of discounts.
We welcome applicants that value the diversity of our community and are willing to play their part in supporting the mission of inclusivity.
Working at the University of Southampton:
Check out the staff benefits and why you should join us at The University of Southampton.
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applicants who support our mission of inclusivity.
Apply by 11.59 pm GMT on the closing date. For assistance contact Recruitment on +44(0)2380 592750 or recruitment@soton.ac.uk quoting the job number.
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About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.