Senior Placements Advisor (0093-26) - Derby, DE22 1GBAbout the UniversityWe have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes. Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.About the College/DepartmentThe Registry support all aspects of the student journey, right from initial enquiry and application, all the way through to final award and student completion. We strive to provide an outstanding service to all our users and to be thought leaders in our fields of expertise, developing research informed practise. Registry teams work collaboratively with stakeholders to deliver a high-performance culture that promotes wellbeing, diversity and opportunity for all, supporting excellent student experience. Placements TeamThe Placements Team works in partnership with academic colleagues, professional services and external stakeholders to ensure high-quality placement experiences are provided to our student body. The team provides expert advice, guidance and administrative support to students and placement providers, ensuring that placements are well-coordinated, compliant with University regulations and aligned to Professional Standards and Regulating Body (PSRB) requirements and quality expectations.Working collaboratively across Colleges, the team supports the development and maintenance of robust processes, and ensures a consistent, inclusive, student-focused service. Through effective use and management of information and data, the team contributes to student retention, progression and achievement, while also supporting funding, reporting and regulatory requirements associated with placement provision. We value a leadership styles that empower colleagues, encourages accountability fostering trust and professional growth within the team. Committed to continuous improvement, the Placements Team actively reviews its services, and engagement with stakeholders to promote best practice across the broad scope of placement activity. At its core, the team is dedicated to delivering an excellent student experience and ensuring that placements are meaningful, well-supported and professionally managed.About the RoleThe Placements Senior Advisor will play a key role in supporting the student journey before during and after placement activity. This role is central to delivering an excellent student experience, providing high-level advice, guidance and support on complex placement matters, acting as a primary point of contact for students, academic colleagues and external practice stakeholders. The postholder will work closely with academic teams to coordinate placement activity, secure opportunities, monitor student engagement and attendance, and ensure compliance with University regulations, academic standards and quality requirements.The role also carries line management responsibility for Placement Advisors, ensuring a consistent and high-quality service across Colleges. You will be a respectful and inclusive leader, committed to developing others and creating a positive, professional and high-performing team environment. You will develop and maintain placement processes and documentation, provide mentoring and training, respond to escalated cases, and lead on planning and prioritising activity across the placements portfolio. Through effective collaboration with colleagues across the University, you will contribute to student retention, progression and achievement, ensuring inclusive practice and a focus on service excellence at all times.In addition, you will take a lead in the management and analysis of student data and management information, producing timely reports for stakeholders and supporting University metrics and funding requirements. The role involves oversight of placement-related financial processes, reporting, audits and claims, contributing to projects and service reviews, and mitigation of financial risk. This is an exciting opportunity for a highly organised, analytical and collaborative professional committed to enhancing the student experience through effective placement provision.About YouWe are seeking a highly organised and experienced professional with substantial experience of working within a higher education environment, ideally within placements, student administration or a related student-facing function. You will have a strong understanding of the student journey and the regulatory framework that underpins academic quality and standards. Experience of line management or supervising staff is essential, alongside the ability to lead, mentor and develop colleagues to deliver a consistent and high-quality service.The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage a varied and complex workload, respond to escalated issues and implement effective solutions. You will be confident in analysing and interpreting data from multiple systems, producing clear reports and using management information to inform decision-making and support student retention, progression and achievement. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential, with the ability to build effective working relationships with academic colleagues, professional services, students and external stakeholders.You will be proactive, detail-oriented and committed to continuous improvement, with the ability to develop and enhance processes in line with University regulations and funding requirements. A commitment to inclusive practice and delivering an outstanding student experience is non-negotiable. The successful candidate will demonstrate a supportive and empowering management style, valuing collaboration, openness and mutual respect in all team interactions.BenefitsGenerous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)Local Government Pension SchemeSuite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance ProgrammeAccess to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailersDiscounted onsite gymCycle to Work schemeA flexible working environmentA commitment to personal and professional developmentKey ContactFor further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Charlie Bradley, Placements Team Leader via c.bradley@derby.ac.uk For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.ukImportant InformationThe University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.Please visit our website for more information.The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.Please find our Safeguarding pages including our Safeguarding Policy here. Closing Date: 05 May 2026 Area: Administrative Support Salary: £28,636 to £30,394 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £34,953 per annum)