JOB DESCRIPTION – Head of University and College Counselling (Careers and Higher
Education)
Candidates are expected to spend time looking at the College website www.stclares.ac.uk which provides information about
St Clare’s and the courses we offer
JOB SPECIFICATION

Title of Post

Head of University and College Counselling (UCC)

Purpose of the
Role

The University and College Counselling team provide excellent careers education, information,
advice and guidance (CEIAG) for all St Clare’s students to prepare them for the next stage in
their education or training.  The team also develop and lead the CEIAG curriculum.

Students include those studying for the International Baccalaureate (IB), those on the college’s
pre-IB programme (students equivalent to UK year 11 and US grade 10), academic gap year
students and those on the university foundation programme.   In conducting this work, the
team work closely with a variety of other stakeholders, including parents, teachers and
university admission officers.

Approximately 160 students in any given year apply to university and in a typical year, 50% of
the College’s students’ progress to UK universities and the remainder to a very diverse range of
universities around the globe. We are therefore seeking a Head of Department with a wide
range of experience including supporting students applying to US universities and colleges.

The
Department

The  Careers  department  at  St  Clare’s  plays  a  key  role  in  supporting  students’  personal  and
academic  development  and  post-secondary  progression.  We  work  closely with  all  students  to
explore their post-secondary options, to find their ‘best fit’ destinations, and to develop lifelong
education and career management skills.

Careers  education  is  embedded  in  the  curriculum  and  UCCs  lead  a  blend  of  small  group
workshops, whole-cohort activities, and online learning modules. Expert one-to-one guidance is
at the heart of our service and UCCs support students and their families to  find their ‘best fit’
pathway through in-depth exploration of future possibilities and rigorous preparation.

Applicants for the role should be able to demonstrate a commitment to, and alignment with, the
central  values  and  ethos of  the  College  and  department.  Excellent  working  relationships  with
teachers, pastoral professionals and senior leaders create an environment of fruitful conditions
for student growth, where careers guidance is valued by all.

https://www.stclares.ac.uk/app/uploads/Careers-and-Higher-Education-Policy.pdf

Reporting
Structure

The Head of UCC reports to the Vice-Principal Academic.
The Head of UCC manages the University and Career Counsellors and the Oxbridge Advisor and
the Medics/Vets Advisor in those specific capacities.

Key
Responsibilities

leadership of the careers service at St Clare’s

•
•  overall responsibility for guiding St Clare’s IB and International College (IC) students, and

alumni in their HE applications and career planning in the UK and overseas

•  evaluation and continuous improvement of the programme of careers education for IC, pre-

IB (PIB) and IB Diploma Students (up to 400 students in total)

•  planning and delivery of careers-focused student events including the annual Higher

•

Education Fair, Launch Day and PIB Work-related learning Day
contribution to the strategic management of the college through participation in IC
Management Group (ICMG), IB Management Group (IBMG) and IB Academic Steering
Group (IBASG)

Leadership
•  promote a culture of excellence and continuous improvement within the service that aligns

with the college’s mission and strategic aims
•  model outstanding student-centred practice
•

lead and develop a team of full-time UCCs, part-time Oxbridge and Medics tutors and
graduate assistants through strategic development plan, individual performance
management and identifying opportunities to support individuals’ professional
development

•  oversee progress and outcomes of all PIB and IBDP students, and those IC students who

access the service

•  model adherence to the International Association for College Admission Counselling

(IACAC), the National Association for College Admission Counselling (NACAC), and Career
Development Institute (CDI) Codes of Ethics
report regularly to the St Clare’s Governing Body and its Education Committee
lead whole-school staff development on relevant aspects of careers and university
applications, including, but not limited to, recommendation letter writing

•
•

•  write and review relevant policies
•  ensure curriculum and destinations are fit for review, digitally and in-person, and will be

•

judged outstanding by the inspection bodies who visit St Clare’s
contribution to the strategic management of the college through participation in ICMG,
IBMG and IBASG

•  manage the departmental budget

Student Guidance
•

conduct one-to-one impartial career guidance interviews which challenge and support
students to make informed, ambitious, realistic and adaptable career decisions

•  oversea university, higher education and apprenticeship applications to UK universities,

North American universities, and other institutions around the world, including to fine art
and performing arts institutions, ensuring students understand the requirements and
deadlines and submit high quality applications on time.

support PIB students with building an IB diploma programme

•  guide students in the summer post-result period
•  maintain confidential records of all student interactions and applications
•
•  write compelling and detailed recommendation letters for global HE systems
•  adapt one-to-one guidance practice to meet the needs of all students
•

support students with admissions testing and procure specialist tuition where necessary

Curriculum Development and Delivery
•  oversee an evidence-based, theory-informed and benchmarked careers education

programme, reviewing and updating as necessary. Deliver this within the college PSHE
programme and other timetabled and off-timetable events and workshops, and oversee the
work of UCCs in this respect

•  engage with employers and HEIs to contribute to career education initiatives

Event Organisation
•  work with the UCC team:

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o

to plan and deliver a large-scale HE Fair, IB1 launch day, PIB work-related learning
day, University Foundation Programme (UFP) university trip; and

o  coordinate and supervise visits from HEI representatives

Marketing
•  ensure marketing colleagues have annual destination updates and outcomes to

communicate anonymously and publicly

•  advise IB and IC recruitment and admissions teams on HE matters, advising on the influence

of prior educational attainment and curricula on students’ potential post-St Clare’s
outcomes

•  offer consultation to pre-entry students on an ad hoc basis
•  deliver UCC information in presentations to prospective students and families at in-person

and online open days

Managing Relationships
•  develop and promote excellent working relationships with representatives from global HEIs
•
contribute to and learn from worldwide network of HEI admissions and high school college
counsellors, including IACAC and UCAS networks
communicate with parents to support their academic and financial decision making with
their children

•

•  maintain relationships with alumni to support their future planning as necessary, to build

•

community, and to engage them in supporting current college students
lead on communicating University Foundation Programme curriculum and assessment to
HEIs to influence recognition and entry requirements.

While every effort has been made to describe the main duties and responsibilities of the post,
each individual task necessary for the successful performance of the role may not be specifically
identified. The Head of UCC may therefore be required to undertake other tasks and duties that
are commensurate with the grade and nature of the role and/or in the reasonable discretion of
the College.

PERSON SPECIFICATION
The successful candidate will have demonstrated the following essential (E) or desirable (D) skills and experience

Education and
qualifications

•  a degree in any discipline (E)
•  a level 6 qualification in CEIAG, such as those listed by the Career Development Institute

(CDI) https://www.thecdi.net/GettingQualified or an international qualification such as the
UCLA Extension certificate (E)

•  membership of the CDI/International Association of College Admission Counsellors (IACAC)

or similar professional body (D)

Knowledge,
skills and
experience

•

confident and familiar with higher education preparation and application systems in the UK
and in other countries (E)

•  experience of providing higher education and careers advice to sixth form students (E)
•  experience of leading and managing other staff (D)
•  demonstrated experience of providing personal CHE guidance and facilitating group work in

an educational or organisational setting (E)

•  an extensive and demonstrable working knowledge and experience of supporting students
to apply to institutions in the USA and at least one other region of the world (training will
be available for unfamiliar systems) (E)

•  experience of curriculum and lesson planning and mapping plans against published

benchmarks (Gatsby, Ofsted etc) (D)

•  excellent and demonstrable written and verbal communication skills in English (E)
•
competency with Microsoft Office software, including using Excel, to track data (E)

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•  attention to detail (E)
•  experience of publishing content for blogs and social media and/or content management

systems (CMS) and a willingness to learn new educational technologies (D)

•  event organisation skills and experience (D)
•  knowledge of one or more languages other than English (D)
•  knowledge of the principles and content of the International Baccalaureate and/or

international foundation programmes (D)

Personal skills
and attributes

•  highly literate, adept at writing clearly and accurately (E)
•  able to communicate effectively with staff across the college, deliver careers and HE related

classes to students and liaise with admissions officers within the FE and HE sector (E)

•  excellent IT skills (E)
•  able to establish rapport with a diverse group of international students (E)
•  able to understand and analyse individual motivations, interest and skills and enable

students to identify suitable options (E)

•  able to work under pressure (E)
•
self-confident and able to act as an effective representative for the college (E)
•  possess a thorough understanding of child protection and safeguarding issues (E)
•  a commitment to equal opportunities and inclusion (E)
•  a knowledge of the IB programme (E) and other secondary curricula (D)
•  a warm and caring approach with the ability both to create an excellent rapport with and to

•
•

challenge students (E)
student advocate committed to building student agency (E)
the use of tact and diplomacy in interpersonal relationships with a wide range of
stakeholders including students, parents, colleagues and external networks of HE and
career professionals (E)
the ability to inspire confidence and trust (E)

•
•  a commitment to ethical practice through the CDI’s Code of Ethics, adherence to school
policy, and the values of equality, diversity and inclusion in an international context (E)

•  a love of learning and commitment to continued professional development (E)

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Full-time, permanent

139 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 7AL

40  hours per week. Unless agreed otherwise within college hours of Monday to Friday  08:30-
18:00 with a 1-hour lunchbreak (unpaid).

The Head of UCC may be required to work hours outside normal hours of employment to meet
the  needs  of  the  business.  This  may  include  some  weekends  and  evenings.  Flexibility  will  be
required.

6 months

A full term’s notice after the probationary period

Competitive salary in the range £50,000 to £56,000 per annum depending on skills and
experience

Terms of
Employment
Place of Work

Hours of Work

Probationary
Period
Notice Period

Salary/Pay

Holidays

39 days per annum of which 4 must be taken between 24th December and 1st January inclusive
each year when the College is closed.

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The  employee  will  also  be  entitled  to  all  statutory  and  bank  holidays  which  fall  outside  the
College’s term time.

Holiday should ordinarily be taken outside of the 35-week academic year and the key periods in
early July and late August when IB and A-level results are published unless agreed with the Vice
Principal Academic.

Pension

A contributory pension is offered through St Clare’s group personal pension scheme, following a
3-month deferment period. The employer pays 10% of gross salary and the employee pays 5%.
Employee contributions above 5% may be made, but do not attract a matching contribution from
the employer.

Meal

A free lunch is provided in the College dining hall on working days and when students are in
residence.

Other Benefits

•  Season ticket loan
•  Cycle to Work scheme
•
•  Subsidised gym membership
•  Employee Assistance Programme

Life Assurance

REFERENCES AND PRE-EMPLOYMENT CHECKS
St Clare’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers
to share this commitment.  All offers of employment and contracts are issued subject to satisfactory references and
outcomes on all necessary pre-employment checks including DBS records and establishing the right to work in the
UK.  Some or all of these checks may have been undertaken before an offer is made.

Under the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools, we are required to follow the guidance in Keeping
Children Safe in Education and undertake additional checks on employees

References

Full written references and phone references on quoted references may be obtained before or
after interview.  One referee must be your current or most recent employer.  References must
also include the last place of employment where you worked with children or vulnerable
adults.  References from friends or relatives will not be accepted.  Please ensure referees know
they will be contacted and will respond promptly.

Identity, right
to work and
qualifications
Police and DBS
checks

Original documents confirming proof of identity, right to work in the UK and relevant
qualifications will be required.

Police checks/Disclosure and Barring Service checks will also be undertaken for which
employees / prospective employees are required to provide information and consent.

Candidates who have lived and worked abroad in the last five years will be required to seek
good conduct references, or the equivalent, from the countries in which they worked, as a pre-
requisite of employment.

Health
questionnaire

Satisfactory completion of a health questionnaire.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications

Applications must be made using the College’s standard application form which can be found
on the College website at https://stclares.ac.uk/contact-us/recruitment-and-careers/

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Email

Post

CVs will only be accepted if accompanied by a St Clare’s application form.
Applications should be submitted by email to recruitment@stclares.ac.uk

Alternatively, send to:
Recruitment, HR Department, St Clare’s, Oxford, 139 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 7AL

Contact us

Email: recruitment@stclares.ac.uk
Tel:     01865 552031

Deadline for
applications

Date for
interview

This role will close 9am on Monday 3rd November 2025

Earlier applications are welcomed, and the College reserves the right to shortlist when a
suitable field is available.

Interviews will take place in the week commencing Monday 10th November 2025

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