Careers Advice and Guidance Manager (Dubai) - Dubai Operations - 99969 - Grade 7

Role Overview

Careers Advice and Guidance Manager at University of Birmingham, Dubai campus. Full-time, 3-years fixed contract (renewable at the University's discretion), Grade 7. Location: Dubai, UAE.

Company Overview

University of Birmingham Dubai campus, established in Dubai International Academic City in 2018 and relocated to a new state-of-the-art campus in September 2021. A World Top 100 University expanding its long-term strategic mission in Dubai, the UAE and the wider region.

Role Purpose

To serve as a leading subject matter expert in careers guidance on the Dubai campus, delivering careers advice, guidance and career development learning to students at all levels of study. The role bridges employability services, employer engagement and academic partnerships to enhance graduate outcomes and advance the University's strategic objectives in the UAE and region.

Key Responsibilities

Service Provision

• Develop and maintain a high-quality Careers and Employability service to students and relevant stakeholders in partnership with the Employer Relations Manager and under direction of the Head of Student Experience and Wellbeing.
• Provide careers advice and guidance to students and graduates.
• Deliver employability-related seminars and workshops.
• Design and deliver programmes that improve graduate outcomes in partnership with Programme Directors and Careers Network colleagues.
• Develop action plans for programmes within caseload that contribute to University of Birmingham Dubai strategy and strengthen academic relationships.
• Lead collection and analysis of data through the Graduate Destination Survey.
• Partner with academic and professional services colleagues to develop and deliver employability services and initiatives aligned with institutional expectations, professional standards such as AGCAS code of practice, and relevant legislation and University guidelines.
• Contribute to development and maintenance of a data-driven approach to service development with relevant KPIs demonstrating sustained impact.
• Partner with students using sources such as Staff Student Forums and Dubai Student Survey to develop tailored approaches promoting student success and employability.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

• Promote equality and value diversity by acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
• Actively manage equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring, evaluation and challenging unacceptable behaviour.
• Actively promote equality and diversity to internal stakeholders.
• Use data to identify equality and diversity issues.
• Develop interventions to address equality and diversity issues.

Professional Development and Expertise

• Undertake continuous personal and professional development.
• Develop expertise in relation to the local labour market and understanding of competitor approaches to inform improvements in practices, policies and technology.

Employer and Stakeholder Engagement

• Organise events and engage employers, speakers and external contacts in partnership with careers tutors.
• Establish effective partnerships with employers, alumni and local networks to enhance careers provision in Dubai and the UAE.
• Maintain and develop positive stakeholder relations with academics, students, staff, employers and potential partners.
• Respond proactively to enquiries from all stakeholders and identify potential internal and external collaborations to enhance student employability.

Dissemination and Communication

• Respond to student enquiries as part of the Dubai Student Hub and enquiries directed to Careers Service and Student Experience and Wellbeing Team.
• Provide reports and respond to requests for data as required, including responses to Ministry of Education, Education Committee and Careers Network colleagues.
• Identify trends affecting student and graduate employability and support initiation of action and creation of innovative solutions.
• Support identification and development of web-based and online resources and careers information for various purposes.
• Create resources and information tailored to support careers provision.

Staff Development and Resource Management

• Lead development and delivery of employability-related training provision for colleagues within Dubai campus.
• Contribute towards resource planning with the Employer Relationship and Employability Skills Manager and appropriate working groups, promoting cost effectiveness and value for money.
• Manage budgets in relation to projects or events.
• Oversee Student Casual Working process, including line management, delivering assessment centres, payroll administration and liaising with teams to manage requests.

Additional Duties

• Contribute to development and delivery of centralised Careers Network activities and services and undertake occasional weekend and evening work.
• Contribute to quality audits, accreditation exercises and provide information for rankings surveys; collect service data and evaluations to inform future service direction.
• Belong to AGCAS and contribute to its discussion lists, specialist committees, working groups, training, writing and research activities.
• Undertake other duties as determined by the Head of Student Experience and Wellbeing.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree-level education.
• Recognised careers guidance qualification, such as PG Dip, QCG or equivalent.
• Experience delivering careers advice and guidance.
• Proven experience working with students or graduates and ability to provide excellent customer experience.
• Project management skills.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation relating to employability.
• Commitment to continuous professional development.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage conflicting demands and meet challenging targets.
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
• Willingness and ability to network and generate new leads and projects.
• Strong problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to relate to and work with a range of stakeholders; to inform, persuade and influence with diplomacy and sensitivity.
• Excellent self and time management skills.
• Drive and enthusiasm.
• Proficient IT skills including familiarity with Microsoft applications and experience working with data.

Additional Information

Contract type: 3-years fixed contract, renewable at the University's discretion.

Work pattern: Full-time. Occasional weekend and evening work required.

Pre-employment requirements: Occupational Health and DBS clearance required prior to appointment. The University is committed to safeguarding and promotes safe recruitment practice; all associated pre-employment checks will be undertaken before appointment confirmation.

Salary: Competitive.

Closing date: 27th September 2026.

Contact for informal enquiries: Phil Scarffe, p.s.scarffe@bham.ac.uk.