Advice & Advocacy Manager

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of our Advice Centre at NTSU as we deliver our ambitious new strategy focused on student advocacy, belonging and care.

You ll lead our Advice Centre, ensuring students receive high quality advice, representation and advocacy when they need it most. But this role is about much more than managing casework.

We're looking for someone who can think beyond traditional advice services, using insight, evidence and student experiences to influence change across the University and improve outcomes for students. You'll play a key role in identifying emerging issues, championing student interests and ensuring student voices help shape policy, practice and decision making.

Working closely with colleagues across Membership Services, you'll build strong partnerships with our Student Voice team to drive advocacy work and support elected officers and student representatives. You'll also work alongside our Opportunities team to help create a culture of support, belonging and early intervention across all student-facing services.

This role would suit someone who enjoys leading people, developing services and working collaboratively to solve problems. We're looking for someone who is willing to challenge existing ways of working, embrace innovation and help us develop an Advice Centre that is responsive, inclusive and genuinely student-led.

What you'll be doing:

• Leading and developing NTSU's Advice Centre, ensuring students have access to high-quality advice, advocacy and representation.
• Managing and supporting a team of advisors, creating a positive culture of learning, development and continuous improvement.
• Working directly with students on complex and sensitive cases, providing advice, advocacy and support through University procedures.
• Using casework trends, student insight and evidence to influence institutional policy and practice and improve the student experience.
• Working closely with the Student Voice team to support elected officers, student representatives and campaigns that drive positive change for students.
• Building strong partnerships across NTSU and NTU to ensure students receive joined-up, student-centred support.
• Leading service development and exploring new approaches, technologies and ways of working that improve accessibility and impact.
• Acting as NTSU's Designated Safeguarding Officer and ensuring appropriate support and interventions are in place.
• Monitoring service performance, quality and impact, ensuring the service continues to evolve in line with student needs and sector best practice.

What we're looking for:

• A passionate advocate for students who believes in the power of representation, influence and student voice.
• An experienced manager who can motivate, support and develop others.
• Someone with experience of advice, advocacy, casework or support services, ideally within Higher Education, Students' Unions, charities or similar environments.
• A collaborative leader who enjoys building relationships and working across teams to achieve shared goals.
• Someone who is comfortable using data, insight and evidence to identify issues and influence change.
• A creative thinker who is willing to challenge convention, embrace innovation and explore new ways of supporting students.
• A confident communicator who can build credibility with students, colleagues and senior stakeholders.
• Someone who is committed to inclusion, fairness and ensuring all students can access the support they need.

Why work for NTSU?

At NTSU, you'll be part of a supportive and ambitious organisation that exists to make students' lives better. Working as the Advice & Advocacy Manager not only positions you at the heart of delivering meaningful impact on students every day but also offers a range of benefits designed to support your professional and personal growth.

• Generous Paid Holiday: Enjoy 33 days of paid time off, allowing ample time for rest, recreation, and personal pursuits. New staff start with 20 days holiday, 8 bank holidays and 5 closure days
• Time Off in Lieu (TOIL): We understand the importance of work-life balance. That's why we offer TOIL for extra hours worked, ensuring you have time to recharge
• Competitive Pension Contribution: With a 4-6% pension contribution, we invest in your future, helping ensure your financial stability post-retirement
• Flexible Working: We embrace flexibility, offering arrangements that can help you balance your professional and personal life effectively
• Salary Progression Based on Performance: Your hard work and dedication won't go unnoticed. We reward performance with salary increases within a band, reflecting your value to our team
• Travel Pass Loan and Wage Loan: Ease your commute and manage unexpected expenses with our travel pass and wage loan benefits
• Enhanced Sick Pay: We support our employees during difficult times with enhanced sick pay, ensuring you can focus on your health when you need it most
• Training and Development Opportunities: Grow with us. We offer numerous opportunities for professional development, helping you expand your skills and advance your career
• Enhanced Parental Leave: We support new parents with 3 weeks of paid paternity leave, enhanced maternity leave and shared parental leave ensuring you can spend invaluable time with your new family member
• Free eye tests and financial contribution towards glasses required for computer work
• Free annual flu jabs