Progress Coach (0239-26) - Derby, DE22 1GB

Progress Coach (0239-26) - Derby, DE22 1GB

About the University

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes. 

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

About the College/Department

The Registry support all aspects of the student journey, right from initial enquiry and application, all the way through to final award and student completion. We strive to provide an outstanding service to all our users and to be thought leaders in our fields of expertise, developing research informed practise. Registry teams work collaboratively with stakeholders to deliver a high-performance culture that promotes wellbeing, diversity and opportunity for all, supporting excellent student experience.

Student Services

Student Services provides a range of student support, information, guidance and development services across the University including, counselling, disability, mental health, financial support and other key services delivered centrally These teams work closely together (and with other sections of the university) to provide the best possible services to our students, to enhance the student experience, to help students achieve their full potential and to meet the strategic aims of the University. These services are central to the student experience, they are visible, seamless, effective and tailored to the needs of our student community.

About the Role

As a Progress Coach within the Nuclear Skills Academy, you will play a key role in supporting learners to succeed throughout their educational journey. Working with a diverse student population that includes apprentices, adult learners and younger students, you will provide proactive pastoral, academic and wellbeing support, helping learners overcome barriers to achievement and reach their full potential.

You will manage a caseload of students, monitoring attendance, engagement and progress, and using data and insight to identify where additional support or intervention may be required. Acting as a trusted point of contact, you will build strong relationships with learners and work closely with curriculum teams, Student Services colleagues, employer partners and, where appropriate, parents/carers and external agencies to coordinate effective support and positive outcomes.

A core element of the role is delivering high-quality coaching, mentoring and tutorial activities that promote personal development, resilience, employability and learner success. You will also contribute to the delivery of key themes including safeguarding, Prevent, equality, diversity and inclusion, and learner wellbeing.

The role has a strong pastoral and safeguarding focus and is central to the Academy's commitment to providing an outstanding learner experience. As the Academy expands its provision, including the introduction of learners aged 14-16, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop valuable experience in supporting a broad range of learner groups within a unique and growing educational environment.

This role requires close collaboration with colleagues across the University and external stakeholders. Occasional evening and weekend working will be required to support key University events, learner engagement activities and recruitment events, and there may be a requirement to travel between University sites.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop a career in student support, learner engagement, safeguarding or educational wellbeing, while making a tangible difference to students' experiences, outcomes and future progression.

About You

You will be an approachable, proactive and student-focused professional with experience of working with young people and adult learners in an educational, support, coaching, mentoring or pastoral environment. Passionate about helping learners succeed, you will be skilled at building positive relationships and creating a supportive and inclusive environment where students can thrive.

With excellent communication and interpersonal skills, you will be confident working with a diverse range of stakeholders, including students, academic colleagues, parents/carers, employer partners and external agencies. You will be able to provide effective one-to-one and group support, helping learners to overcome barriers to learning, improve engagement and achieve their goals.

You will have experience of working in a student-centred environment and be comfortable using attendance, progress and wellbeing information to identify concerns, implement timely interventions and monitor outcomes. A strong understanding of the importance of safeguarding, wellbeing and learner welfare is essential, particularly when supporting younger learners and those who may require additional support.

The successful candidate will be educated to a minimum of Level 3 and hold GCSE English at Grade C/4 or above (or equivalent) at Level 2. You will either hold a Level 2 Safeguarding qualification or be willing to work towards this. Most importantly, you will bring enthusiasm, resilience and a commitment to supporting learners to realise their potential, while contributing positively to the wider student experience and the continued success of the Nuclear Skills Academy.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
• Discounted onsite gym
• Cycle to Work scheme
• A flexible working environment
• A commitment to personal and professional development

Key Contact

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Collette Lumbert, Student Experience Manager via [email protected]

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via [email protected]

Important Information

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Please visit our website for more information.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and is therefore subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Any information you provide will be treated in confidence and only used when considering your suitability for the post.

To enable us to process your DBS check please ensure you are able to supply the documentation listed on the DBS website at interview stage.

The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.

Please find our Safeguarding pages including our Safeguarding Policy here.

Closing Date: 13 Sep 2026

Area: Operational Support

Salary: £30,577 to £32,455 per annum
(for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £37,323.25 per annum)