Student Relations Specialist

Direct Reporting Line:
Senior Student Relations Specialist

Varsity College is an educational brand of The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE). The IIE enjoys the reputation of being at the forefront of private higher education in South Africa, and is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) to provide higher education qualifications accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE).

The IIE's Varsity College, Waterfall Campus (Midrand) has a vacancy for a Student Relations Specialist.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Student Registration and Academic Progression Counselling

• Facilitates consultations with students in cases where a change is required to their current registration contract, e.g. this could be for students who wish to change within a semester, between semesters or between years of study.
• Works with the Admission Centre to understand different curriculum scenarios (e.g. phase-in and phase-out etc.) to ensure that the student is advised correctly.
• Supports the Senior Student Relations Specialist, Campus Deputy Head and/or Head: Academic Operations and/or Deputy Head: Academic Operations in co-ordinating the Retention Project on campus.

Active Student Engagement and Support

• Delivers the academic orientation programme for new and returning students by means of programme information presentations, an overview of pertinent academic policies and an outline of the academic year etc.
• Manages the dissemination of student related policies (new and updates).
• Attends informal meet-and-greet sessions with students.
• Facilitates Programme Information Sessions by addressing students in class with a view to explain and induct the students on the relevant policies and procedures that govern student life on campus.
• Facilitates follow-up Programme Information Sessions by way of email broadcasts that occur throughout the year and that drip feed policy and procedure related information to the students as is deemed necessary by the Academic Operations department.
• Conducts periodical class visits to canvas student concerns and share relevant information.
• Provides assignment submission support with regards to the correct anti-plagiarism tool applicable to the respective programme.

Student Query Resolution

• Resolves student queries via the appropriate channel/s within a committed time frame in line with the agreed Service Level Agreement for the Student Relations Centre and escalates queries to the Senior Student Relations Specialist where appropriate.
• Captures details of all student contact made by the Student Relations Centre on the academic system.
• Provides various letters/documents that are generated from the academic system on request by students.
• Assists with unresolved queries from The Student HUB and escalates queries to the Senior Student Relations Specialist where quires require further attention.
• Assists with the roll out of all relevant customer related surveys.

Cross Departmental Query Resolution

• Liaises with various departments on campus to stay up-to-date with any relevant changes or developments in those departments in order to enable the smooth processing of student queries.

Team Support, General & System Administration

• Responsible for ensuring all student notes are captured in the academic system.
• Maintains a good knowledge of products and policies in order to ensure that students are advised correctly.
• Identifies and flags student query trends and escalates these identified trends to the Senior Student Relations Specialist where required.
• Supports other members of the Student Relations Centre team to ensure and drive the efficient resolution of student queries.
• Complies with The Protection of the Personal Information Act (POPIA) legislation relevant to the Student Relations Centre.
• Supports and collaborates with other members of the Academic Operations team to ensure the efficient running of the Academic Operations department as a whole.

Competencies Required:

• Advanced Interpersonal and communication skills
• Computer proficiency
• Planning & time management skills
• Results driven and able to handle pressure
• Professionalism
• Empathy
• Customer service driven/focused
• Advanced administrative and organisational skills

Minimum Education Requirements:

• Minimum of a National Diploma/Advanced Certificate (NQF Level 6)
• Advanced Diploma or Degree (NQF Level 7) is advantageous.

Minimum Work Experience Requirements:

• Minimum of 2 years administrative and customer service experience.
• 1 year of operational management/ project management experience.

Student Relations Specialist Working Hours:

Shift Hours:

Monday to Friday:

• 07h00 to 16h00
• 08h00 to 17h00
• 09h30 to 18h30

When students are not on campus throughout the year normal working hours apply.

Salary:

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.

Application Response:

• Due to the high volume of CVs received, please note that personal contact with all applicants may not be feasible. Only candidates whose qualifications and skills closely align with the position requirements will be contacted for interviews.

Technical Support:

• Should you experience technical difficulties applying for the position, kindly use the following URL for further assistance : https://hire.simplify.hr/ContactUs

The IIE Varsity College, IIE Vega and IIE MSA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. However, preference may be given to previously underrepresented groups in accordance with the South African Employment Equity Act. The company reserves the right to close or place the vacancy on hold at any time, without prior notice.