Careers Advisers 2 posts, full-time fixed term contract to 31 July 2029
We are offering a fantastic opportunity for two people to join our team of Careers Advisers. You will provide careers guidance through one-to-one appointments, group sessions and other activities, working collaboratively with recruiters as well as colleagues across departments, faculties, divisions and other University teams. One post will focus on supporting research staff, while the other will be primarily undergraduate and graduate student-focussed.
Location: The Careers Service, 56 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 6PA
Salary: £49,119 - £58,625 per annum inc of Oxford University Weighting
Contract: Full-time, fixed term contract to 31 July 2029
About Us
Spanning the historic streets of the “city of dreaming spires”, the University of Oxford has been ranked the world’s leading university for ten consecutive years. A place where centuries of tradition meet world-changing innovation, we offer you the chance to shape the future while working in an inspiring environment that promotes excellence. Here, you’ll contribute to an organisation which delivers ground-breaking research that tackles global challenges - from advancing sustainability to pioneering healthcare solutions - and join a diverse, inclusive community that champions your wellbeing, development, and aspirations. Apply now to become part of our extraordinary legacy.
The Careers Service at the University of Oxford is one of the UK’s most innovative and engaged careers services. We aim to attract employers and to educate and resource students and research staff to enable them to navigate the complex jobs market and make informed career decisions. To do this we provide a range of high-value career-focused services and programmes and actively engage with employers and other external organisations. We serve current Oxford students (26,800 undergraduates and postgraduates), 5,000 research staff, an international community of 250,000 alumni, and 12,000 employers and other opportunity providers.
What We Offer
Working at the University of Oxford offers several exclusive benefits, such as:
- 38 days of annual leave (inclusive of public holidays) to support your wellbeing, with the option to purchase up to 10 extra days and additional leave after long service.
- One of the most generous family leave schemes in UK higher education, offering up to 26 weeks of full-pay maternity and adoption leave, plus 12 weeks of full-pay paternity/partner leave.
- A commitment to hybrid and flexible working to suit your lifestyle.
- An excellent contributory pension scheme.
- Affordable and sustainable commuting options, including a cycle loan scheme, discounted bus travel, and season ticket loans.
- Access to a vibrant community through our social, cultural, and sports clubs.
About the Role
We are looking for two full-time Careers Advisers to join our team of ten advisers. The posts report to the Head of Careers Team. The two advisers will work with different client groups, with one post supporting research staff and the other focussing primarily on undergraduate and graduate students.
The successful candidates will provide high-quality careers support to students or research staff through a combination of tailored one-to-one appointments, presentations and workshops delivered online, in-person at the Careers Service, and across academic departments and colleges. They will develop and deliver programmes, write engaging content for our website and other platforms, and work collaboratively with employers. They will also develop sector expertise and draw on their previous sector experience for the benefit of students, researchers, alumni, and the University. Careers Advisers represent the Service across the University and externally, including at meetings with employers and in our national and international professional communities.
Careers Advisers are encouraged to develop new initiatives to support clients. Recent examples include expanding our support for international students and for refugees and asylum seekers, developing hands-on consulting experience for students, and creating sector-focussed programmes such as the Creative Careers Festival and the Beyond Academia: Career Conference for Researchers.
About You
- Education You will be a graduate in any discipline; for the research staff-facing role, postgraduate research experience and qualifications to doctoral level would be particularly valuable.
- Employment experience Careers Advisers at Oxford come from a diverse range of backgrounds, and we value the breadth that this experience brings to the team. You will have substantial employment experience; for example, this could include working for a multinational organisation, charity, public sector organisation, social enterprise or NGO, or working in a research-related environment or in a sector that attracts people with research skills.
- Relevant experience in graduate recruitment, careers advice, professional development or similar discipline You will have a demonstrable ability to establish rapport and empathise with people from a wide range of backgrounds. You will be able to understand and analyse individual motivations, interests and skills, helping clients identify how these can be developed, explore suitable career options and turn those options into informed choices and successful career outcomes.
- Communication You will be able to write clear, engaging, and informative English for a wide range of audiences. You will communicate confidently and effectively in one-to-one situations and when facilitating groups. You will have experience of presenting information clearly and engaging positively with diverse audiences.
- Motivation and personal qualities You will have a strong commitment to this field of work. You will be an enthusiastic networker with a demonstrable positive, can-do attitude, whether working independently or as part of a team. You will demonstrate initiative and the ability to implement new ideas and develop and deliver projects effectively. You will be self-confident and comfortable acting as an effective ambassador for the Service. You will be at ease working with senior colleagues across Oxford colleges and departments, as well as with external partners in industry, policy and research institutions.
Sponsorship and Right to Work
This role meets the criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa. The University will meet the cost of the Skilled Worker visa and NHS surcharge for applicants that require a visa.
Please let us know in your application if you require sponsorship.
Application Process
To apply, please upload:
- A covering letter/supporting statement
- Your CV
- The details of two referees (who will not be contacted until and unless you are offered a post)
Please indicate in your supporting statement whether you wish to be considered for the student-focussed role, the research staff-focussed role, or both.
Use of AI in Applications: We value authenticity. Please use AI (if at all) only to support editing and presentation, rather than to generate the substantive content of your application. We are interested in your ideas, experiences, and motivations.
The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Wednesday 9 September 2026.
Interviews will take place on Tuesday 29 September 2026 and will be held face-to-face in Oxford.
For an informal discussion, or to arrange a visit to the Careers Service, please email
[email protected]