Oxford Brookes University is distinctive in nature. We are a modern and forward thinking institution rooted in, and connected to a city with a rich history of culture and learning. We are a globally recognised University focused on providing high-quality teaching, delivering impactful research and an excellent student experience. Our vision is simple: “shape tomorrow through our unique blend of the modern and the traditional, by embracing diversity, seeking out the new and excelling in education and research.”
We’re ambitious in our plans and continue to climb University league tables.
Oxford Brookes was ranked one of the UK’s top 50 universities in the Guardian University Guide 2022. In the 2022 Times Higher Education Young University Rankings, we are the 7th highest ranked UK institution for research and 6th in the UK for teaching, and we are proud to have been named as one of the world’s top universities in 16 subjects in the latest QS World University Rankings.
Our people are at the heart of the University - Our excellence in teaching, research and knowledge exchange depends on the engagement, capability and wellbeing of our people. We strive to create and encourage an environment where people have the opportunity to develop, progress and thrive.
We hold the Athena SWAN Bronze award in recognition of our advancements in gender equality, representation and progression.
The role
The Staff Developer supports the personal and career development of University staff through the provision of learning and development activities aligned to the University 2035. Reporting to the Head of Learning and Development, this exciting role involves designing, developing and delivering a range of activities and interventions, including e-learning and digital resources, ranging from personal effectiveness and essential skills to leadership and management.
The role also offers the opportunity to work with project leads on key University wide initiatives such as our onboarding and induction process, developing our Apprenticeship offer and helping to shape our Wellbeing support.
About the team
The Organisational Effectiveness and Development team is a key part of the wider People Directorate and sits alongside the Centre for Academic Enhancement and Development. We work to support and facilitate organisational effectiveness and health. We do this through our learning and development portfolio and through bespoke consultancy interventions at individual, team, department and faculty level. We support organisational change from a people perspective to achieve sustained change through effective engagement and support.
The team is headed up by the Director of Organisational Effectiveness and Development and consists of the Head of L&D, Senior OD Consultant and two Learning and OD Consultants in addition to the Staff Developer. We are supported by the Learning Support team who provide administrative support.
This is an exciting time as the team embarks on a new chapter, embracing blended learning, and innovating to optimise personal, professional and career development support for University staff.
What will I be doing?
A fantastic opportunity to put your stamp on a role and contribute to the ongoing development of a relatively new team and help bring a new Personal and Organisational Development strategy to life. You will be:
- working with relevant subject leads and the Digital Learning Developer to create online staff development resources including those in support of compliance and other mandatory expectations.
- supporting the ongoing review of the University level induction, developing and delivering relevant materials and activities aligned to the desired employee experience.
- developing and delivering workshops and resources in support of staff wellbeing initiatives.
- supporting the development of personal effectiveness and essential skills across the University, i.e. communication, creativity and problem solving, achieving goals and working with others, via online resources and/or workshops as applicable.
- designing and delivering leadership and management development activities in support of the Universities leadership and management framework and external initiatives such as Aurora; and
- supporting the apprenticeship process to provide ongoing career development opportunities.
What skills do I need?
- You will bring a range of role specific skills and experience, including a good level of digital competence and confidence. The ability to design and deliver impactful learning and development both face to face and digitally is essential.
- More generally, we are looking for a motivated, creative problem solver who enjoys working collaboratively and getting things done.
- You are a skilled communicator, who enjoys forming relationships with diverse stakeholders. Adept at listening and understanding the context around you.
- You will be able to evidence a proactive, solutions focussed approach while working in a complex environment.
- you will have demonstrable examples of embedding equality, diversity and inclusion principles in your work.
About the location
The People Directorate is currently based on our leafy Wheatley campus but will be moving to our vibrant Headington campus in 2024. The campus is one mile from the centre of Oxford and is served by regular public transport. This role is a hybrid role with 1 – 2 days required on campus per week.
Benefits
Our employees' well-being, physical, mental and financial health, is incredibly important to us. This is why we offer our employees a varied and comprehensive benefits package.
As an Oxford Brookes employee, you will enjoy 25 days holiday, rising with your service, plus 8 Bank Holidays and additional University concessionary Days (approx 5 per year).
We encourage and support hybrid working (where the role allows) and ensure that you have the necessary equipment to allow you to work flexibly.
We have an extremely competitive defined benefit Local Government pension scheme (LGPS), as well as providing all staff with financial education, a comprehensive employee assistance helpline.
In addition, all employees have access to:
- Discounted rates for the University sports & gym facilities and access to a variety of other university facilities including Brookes on-site Nursery.
- Discounted travel options (Discounted bus travel in and around Oxford, BrookesBus - Park & ride scheme, Interest-free loans for travel tickets and cycle to work scheme)
- TOTUM card discount scheme
- Relocation scheme - £5000 for candidates moving more than 30 miles on a permanent basis.
- Training and development opportunities
- Connected community - Brookes have a wide variety of staff networks which instil a sense of community offering employees a space for support, guidance and friendship making it. a vibrant and inclusive place to work.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
At Oxford Brookes, inclusivity is one of our five guiding principles: we take positive steps to create an environment in which we celebrate, value and provide equal opportunity to all. We are committed to recruiting from the widest possible pool and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates who embrace our values, regardless of their background.
As a Disability Confident Employer we guarantee to interview any disabled applicant who meets the essential selection criteria.
CV and Personal Statement :
As part of the application process all applicants are required to complete our online application form by clicking on the “Apply for Job” button below. All parts of the application form should be completed and in the section of the form called “Supporting Documents”, applicants must upload their CV and a Personal Statement. To complete the Personal Statement part of the application, applicants must download the Personal Statement document which is part of the advert below and complete the form, providing examples and explaining how they meet each item detailed on the document. The Personal Statement must then be uploaded to the application form along with the CV.