Job Title: Academic Progress & Success Mentor
Location: On-Site, VCAD – Manchester, UK
Salary Range: £42k - £48k per annum
Contract Type: Permanent
Work Schedule: Full-time, Tuesday-Saturday, 9am-5pm
Department: Academic Progress & Success Team
Reporting to: Academic Dean (AUP)
Job Purpose
The Academic Progress & Success Mentor will play a key role in supporting students to engage with their studies, across BA(Hons) Fashion Design, BA(Hons) Fashion Media and Marketing, BA (Hons) Graphic Design and CertHE Business and Management for Creatives, to meet module learning outcomes, and successfully progress through their programmes. As such, the successful candidate should have an excellent understanding of one or more of the following disciplines
- Fashion Design
- Fashion Media and Marketing
- Graphic Design
- Creative Business Management
Working as part of the Academic Progress & Success Team, the postholder will provide targeted academic support to individual students who are at risk of non-submission, reassessment, or underperformance. This includes maintaining regular contact with an assigned cohort of students, offering practical guidance on assessments, supporting students to reach a point where they are confident and prepared to submit their work through individual and group workshops and classes.
The role is focused on improving submission rates, first-time pass rates, and overall student continuation, through timely and structured academic support.
Key Responsibilities
Student Engagement and Support:
- Maintain regular contact with an allocated group of students, providing consistent and structured academic support
- Proactively engage students who are disengaged or at risk of non-submission
- Build supportive working relationships that encourage accountability and sustained engagement
- Support students in developing effective study habits and independent learning skills
Academic Guidance:
- Support students in understanding module learning outcomes, assessment requirements, and submission expectations
- Provide clear guidance on how to approach assignments in line with academic standards
- Assist students in interpreting feedback and applying it to future work
- Support the development of academic writing, research, and assessment skills
Draft Review and Formative Feedback:
- Review draft work, where appropriate, and provide constructive, formative feedback to support improvement prior to submission
- Offer feedback through appropriate channels (e.g. email, one-to-one sessions), focusing on clarity, structure, and alignment with learning outcomes
- Highlight areas for development while ensuring students retain responsibility for their own work
- Ensure all support remains within institutional academic integrity guidelines
Monitoring and Follow-up:
- Track student engagement, progress, and readiness for submission
- Follow up with students in advance of key deadlines to support timely submission
- Identify early signs of academic risk and take appropriate action
- Maintain accurate records of student interactions and interventions
Targeted Interventions:
- Provide additional support to students identified as at risk of non-submission, requiring reassessment, borderline in achieving module outcomes, work with students to break down assignments into manageable stages and support re-engagement following periods of absence or low participation.
Contribution to Outcomes:
- Contribute to improvements in submission rates, first-time pass rates, student progression and continuation and work towards agreed targets for student engagement and success within the allocated cohort
Collaboration:
- Work closely with Academic Deans, Programme Leaders, and Module Leaders to support student progress, liaise with Registry and other professional services where appropriate and contribute to team discussions and the ongoing development of the Academic Progress & Success Team.
Teaching Support and Cover Responsibilities:
- Provide teaching cover as required to support continuity of academic delivery. This may include undertaking lecturing responsibilities during periods of staff absence, annual leave, or sickness, as well as providing support in emergency situations.
- The postholder will deliver scheduled teaching sessions where necessary, ensuring alignment with module learning outcomes, maintaining academic standards, and supporting a consistent student experience.
- This responsibility is intended to provide flexibility within the academic team and ensure minimal disruption to teaching provision.
Key Performance Indicators
- Student submission rates within assigned cohort
- First-time pass rates
- Reduction in reassessment volumes
- Engagement levels of identified at-risk students
- Student feedback on support received
Person Specification
Essential:
- Experience of working in a higher education or student support environment
- Understanding of assessment processes and academic requirements within HE
- Ability to support and motivate students from a range of academic backgrounds
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Good organisational skills, with the ability to manage a defined caseload
- Ability to monitor and respond to student data and engagement indicators
- Excellent understanding of one or more of the following disciplines:
- Fashion Design
- Fashion Media and Marketing
- Graphic Design
- Creative Business Management
Desirable:
- Experience in academic advising, tutoring, or coaching
- Familiarity with virtual learning environments (e.g. Moodle)
- Understanding of academic integrity and good academic practice
- Experience supporting students at risk of non-progression
Key Attributes
- Approachable and supportive manner
- Clear and practical communication style
- Ability to build trust while maintaining professional boundaries
- Proactive and well organised
- Focused on student outcomes and continuous improvement
Benefits
- Annual leave (7.2 weeks)
- Workplace pension scheme.
- Company Sick Policy.
- Statutory maternity/paternity pays.
- Career development opportunities
- Training and self-development opportunities.
- Gym membership discounts
- Retail discount schemes
- Cinema discounts
- Grocery discounts
- Cycle to work
- Investing and savings opportunities
- Financial wellbeing – personal debt advise.
- Financial wellbeing education
- My Mind Pal (mental fitness)