Engagement and Project Manager Review
at University of Oxford
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Business Operations
Oxford
Review Submitted: May 2022
Overall Rating
4.3 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4/5
-
Overview of Role
4/5
-
Skills Development
3.8/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
Reporting to the Head of Administration and Finance, I am responsible for developing and implementing an engagement strategy at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences.
I coordinate the department's Athena Swan work and sit on the Self-Assessment Team and Better Workplace Groups to develop and help deliver the department's action plan.
Working closely with the Head of HR and Head of Communications to create an inclusive work environment, I seek to enable two-way communication with staff and students across the department. This is done through organising the Department Open Meetings, listening and responding to staff and student feedback through surveys and focus groups as well as consulting on a variety of projects across the department.
I coordinate the department's Athena Swan work and sit on the Self-Assessment Team and Better Workplace Groups to develop and help deliver the department's action plan.
Working closely with the Head of HR and Head of Communications to create an inclusive work environment, I seek to enable two-way communication with staff and students across the department. This is done through organising the Department Open Meetings, listening and responding to staff and student feedback through surveys and focus groups as well as consulting on a variety of projects across the department.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I find the programme very useful for my work. It is stimulating and interesting. It's a lot to manage with my daily work but because I see the benefit of it it is worthwhile. It's great to be able to learn and implement it at the same time.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Yes in the job I have developed my data analysis skills expanding beyond analysing survey data to staff and student data, retention data and turnover. I have learnt a lot in the field of EDI and also leadership and how to deliver training and collect training needs in an academic context.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
Overall it seems to be well organised and structured and the provider seems keen to respond to feedback. There wasn't much time to be inducted and get access to the systems I needed for study before the programme began fully. Also a lot of it is still online and I look forward to future in person aspects.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I feel really well supported by my manager and employer. They are keen to support me to get the most out of the apprenticeship and are working with me to find opportunities and make time for my study. I know there are other opportunities and support centrally such as mentoring.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
Lots of support is available although I haven't made use of much to date. They check in with students individually and we have meetings between provider and manager throughout the year. There is support for study skills and academic writing as well, particularly useful if english is not your first language.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
It really helps, it is early days but it is already helping me have conversations at work that link up study and projects. It makes my manager more aware of the ways I would like to progress which opens doors that may otherwise not have been possible for me previously.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
3/5
The university is a large employer so there are lots of opportunities such as leisure facilities, Swimming pool, tennis court. It can be difficult to tell what is for students and what is for staff but there are some good networks and employee resource groups that you can connect with.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend University of Oxford to a friend?
Yes
Why?
It's great to be part of such a large organisation. Yet the departments and colleges are quite devolved so you get the benefit of working with autonomy like for a smaller organisation but with the connections and growth opportunities of a large organisation. Also having a staff card gets you into the colleges for free which is fun!
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to University of Oxford?
It really depends on the department or division you are applying for as well as the job role. Try to have an understanding of how Oxford works e.g. these separations and where you will be working. Also take note of where your job will be based, some are further out of Oxford.
