JOB DESCRIPTION
Date: May 2017
Position / Sutton Trust US Programme Assistant (Full-Time)Purpose / To support the delivery of the Sutton Trust US Programme, including event planning, project delivery, enquiry management and programme administration. The post supports high quality, student-orientated customer service for students, applicants and their schools.
The Sutton Trust US Programme supports social mobility and enables financially disadvantaged young people to study in the USA in order to meet the Commission’s strategic objectives of promoting US-UK exchange to diverse audiences, and creating a pipeline of talented students interested in US-UK exchange at all levels.
Reports to / Director, Advising and Marketing
Responsible for / Monitors the work of pro bono volunteers, mentors and temporary staff, under supervision of the Director or Programme Manager.
Main responsibilities / 1. Programme Administration:
o Implement administration systems for tracking students’ progress in the US application process
o Monitor a network of volunteers, student team leaders and mentors
o Assist the Communications team to promote the programme to applicants, schools and in the press
o Update the spending of the grant
o Assist with programme application, enquiries and selection
o Update Sutton Trust US Programme website
2. Event Coordination:
o Provide logistical support for Sutton Trust events
o Assist with planning programme residentials
o Chaperone and/or staff events including student residentials and the US week(s)
3. Advising:
o Support on-going advising for students, parents, mentors and school representatives throughout the admissions process through email, phone and in-person enquiries, as well as a Facebook group for students and email newsletters
o Assist with Financial Aid assessments under the supervision of a Programme Manager
o Deliver presentations to students, parents and advisers on US admissions and financial aid
o Implement alumni engagement activities
4. Other:
o Work collaboratively with other members of the department and organisation as a whole to achieve objectives
o Provide guidance and support for volunteers at events
o Provide guidance to interns
o Undertake other duties as are appropriate to the role and within the competence of the role holder
o Awareness of and compliance with the organisation’s policies
Skills and Experience / Qualifications
o Educated to bachelor’s degree level (required)
Education systems
o Strong interest and experience in international education or cultural exchange
o In-depth knowledge of the undergraduate and postgraduate US admissions and financial aid processes (preferred)
o Personal experience of studying in the US higher education system (required) and in the UK higher education system (preferred)
o Experience of working with secondary school and university-aged students
o Prior experience of working in higher education, preferably study abroad, international student services, recruitment or admissions
Communication
o Excellent written and oral communication skills
o Strong presentation skills with the ability to deliver effective presentations to a range of audiences including students, parents and advisors
o Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriatelyo Prior experience of assisting with communications, marketing, event planning and/or programme administration in the higher education or non-profit sector (preferred)
o Capability to develop good working relationships with internal and external contacts
o Ability to write and edit copy in both American and British English
o Knowledge or experience of writing for both print and online communication
Planning and organisation
o Ability to apply personal organisation strategies and to prioritise and effectively deal with a large and diverse, workload in a busy environment to timescales agreed with the Director and Programme Managers
o Excellent organisation skills
o Detail oriented
o Strong time management skills with an ability to plan ahead and anticipate requirements, problems and obstacleso Ability to work on own initiative without close supervision
o High level of administrative skills to aid personal organisation
ICT
o Proficiency in Microsoft Office software essential (Word, Excel and Outlook) (required)
o MailChimp, Survey Monkey, Hootsuite, Eventbrite, Wordpress (preferred)
Personal specification / o Strong personal initiative and motivation
o Reliable and responsible
o Intercultural sensitivity, empathy and patience
o High motivation, energy and commitment to the aims and objectives of the Fulbright Commission
o Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation, as a team member and individually
o Flexibility to work additional hours if required
o Willingness to travel domestically and internationally if necessary including travel to the US
o Enthusiasm for study abroad
o Ability to learn quickly and adapt in fast-paced environment
o Permanent appointment will be subject to a satisfactory DBS check
o Legal right to work in the UK
Level/ effects of decision making / o Implements project decisions made by Director and/or Programme Managers
o Shapes the higher education decisions of students, parents and advisors through tailored advice
Contacts and relationships / o Advises students, parents and school advisors
o At times may require direct contact with the following:
o UK schools and universities
o Colleagues at the Sutton Trust
o Collaborates with the Directors and others across the organisation to ensure objectives are met
Financial responsibility / o Ensures financial systems are followed
o Submits invoices for processing to required time scales under Director’s supervision