Higher Education & Careers Guidance Adviser (September 2026)

Package Description

Benefits

This is a full time, term time position, working 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday (8.30 am to 4.30 pm with a one-hour (unpaid) lunchbreak, and occasional weekend and evening working as required.

Salary: Will be in the region of £45,000 to £50,000 dependent on qualifications and experience 

Staff Benefits: In addition to being part of a great team you will be entitled to a range of benefits that include: 

• Parking within the campus grounds. The campus is easily accessed by car and bus; there is a bus stop located outside the campus serving several routes across the city and to rail stations
• Membership of Westwoods gym and health club which offers a range of excellent fitness and leisure facilities including a 25m swimming pool
• Free lunch during term time, and at other times when catering is provided, and you are on duty
• Life insurance scheme
• Excellent Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• You will be opted into the Fettes College Pension Plan after 3 months service. This scheme is a money purchase one, operating as a salary exchange plan. The College will contribute to the scheme a minimum of 8% and you will contribute a minimum of 2%. Fettes operate a contribution matching scheme up to 12% of base salary
• Access to discounted healthcare, additional life insurance, shopping discounts, etc through our 4me benefits portal

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity to lead on careers education, information, advice and guidance at Fettes College from  September 2026. 

The Higher Education and Careers Guidance Adviser is responsible for the strategic leadership, planning and coordination of guidance and support to students in relation to post-school pathways. They will ensure that every student is well-advised; all applications are accurate and timely; and higher education ‘destination’ outcomes are consistently strong. 

Main Responsibilities

Please see the full Job Description for duties and responsibilities for this role

The Ideal Candidate

The Ideal Candidate

Successful applicants for a post at Fettes will be expected to demonstrate the following qualities:

• A strong academic and professional background with relevant expertise and qualifications in their field. A Postgraduate Diploma in Career Guidance and Development or equivalent is essential.
• Ambition, diligence, and a clear commitment to ongoing professional development
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Outstanding organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively to tight deadlines
• Confidence in using technology to enhance efficiency, communication, and engagement
• Enthusiasm for contributing positively to the wider life of the school community

About the school/organisation

ABOUT FETTES

The school stands on a magnificent site of approximately 100 acres, within walking distance of Edinburgh’s city centre and is a leading HMC co-educational independent boarding and day school, with a Prep school for students starting at age 7 and from September 2025 a Pre-Prep was introduced. Known for its academic excellence, Fettes is unique in Scotland in following the English curriculum of GCSE examinations and the dual pathway of A Level and International Baccalaureate (IB). Fettes has a strong focus on pastoral care and all-round education, providing their students with ‘A place to live. A place to learn. A place to grow’. Founded by Sir William Fettes in 1870, it was originally a boy’s school and started admitting girls in 1970. The main building was designed by one of Scotland's leading architects, David Bryce. We are a community of more than 1000 individuals, made up of just under 700 students and over 300 dedicated staff.

Aims

Fettes College aims to nurture the individual while fostering a happy, well-ordered and caring community with strong family values at its core. To this end, we will do our utmost to ensure our students:

• Receive the highest possible quality of education within a boarding environment
• Feel safe, valued, have a sense of personal worth and are thoughtful and considerate of the needs of others, possessing a willingness to take on responsibility
• Develop their self-confidence, integrity, emotional resilience, loyalty, good manners and humour, leadership skills and teamwork
• Value a sense of community and service, and develop a clear sense of right and wrong, equipping them for life beyond Fettes
• Are provided with equal opportunities regardless of gender, sexuality, ethnic origin race, or religion
• Are encouraged to stretch and challenge themselves in everything they undertake