Graduate Careers Manager

A University for the Creative Industries

BIMM has a long history in the creative arts.

From our beginnings as Drumtech in London in 1983 to the acquisition of MetFilm School in 2024, our journey has been one of continual growth.

We have campuses in nine locations – Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Essex, Leeds, London, Manchester, Dublin and Berlin – and are proud to be a leading provider of contemporary music, film, creative technology and performing arts education in Europe.

We have over 40 years of experience helping students launch successful careers in the creative industries. We offer a broad range of higher education courses including undergraduate degrees, the Trinity Professional Performing Diploma and Master’s courses.

Beyond academic life, BIMM University offers a community built on a shared passion, creativity, and belief system. Our inclusive culture is at the core of everything we do, binding us together and driving us forward.

Our Purpose, Vision, and Values

Purpose

To shape the future of the creative industries. Vision: To redefine creative industries education for the benefit of all, giving students from every background the skills and opportunities to thrive in their future careers.

Values

Our values are at the core of our success; Believe in Everyone, Challenge the Norm, Grow Together, Own It and Do the Right Thing.

Job Description

Graduate Careers Managers are responsible for leading the development and delivery of strategic and operational initiatives to enhance graduate employment outcomes including employment, self‑employment, and portfolio careers within the Creative Industries.

They will provide tailored employability support for final‑year students and graduates in their faculty area.

Working in close collaboration with academic teams, industry professionals, and colleagues across the Creative Futures team, the Graduate Careers Manager will also contribute to the development and integration of employability resources used within the Curriculum.

All routes into employment, including freelance and entrepreneurial careers, must be effectively shared and promoted via the university’s career management platform (Handshake), targeted newsletters, LinkedIn groups, social media, and careers events.

Additionally, the Graduate Careers Manager will curate alumni‑facing content for the Alumni Career Hub, covering areas such as funding, mentoring, and CPD opportunities.

Regular monitoring and evaluation of activity outcomes, with reports submitted to the Associate Dean, Creative Futures will be a key aspect of the role.

Key Accountabilities

- Build and manage strategic relationships with creative employers, agencies, recruiters, and industry organisations to generate work opportunities for graduates.

- Draw on a network of industry contacts to onboard employers to the University’s Career Management platform, Handshake, reporting on jobs posted and filled by BIMM University alumni.

- Liaise with the Digital Learning team to design, develop and deliver employability assets aligned to BIMM University’s Graduate Attributes to sit within the BIMM Library and Handshake.

- Collaborate with Graduate Careers Managers, events teams and industry to curate and promote careers events, tailored to students and graduates from music, screen/film, or performing arts disciplines.

- Implement a communication plan around Graduate Outcomes and be responsible for gathering and analysing First Destination and Graduate Outcomes data.

- Produce reports and insights on sector and University employment data. Reports will inform discussions and decision‑making within the Creative Futures steering committee.

- Support final‑year students and recent graduates with job searches, freelance planning, interviews, auditions, and portfolio development through the management of an industry mentor programme.

- Develop and distribute digital careers resources and newsletters via Handshake and other platforms, sharing job opportunities, funding schemes, events, and success stories.

- Liaise with Heads of Careers, Heads of School and Deans of Faculty to contribute to employer and broader industry guests within the Curriculum.

- Lead the development and delivery of employability‑focused resources, contributing to the integration of industry‑relevant advice and guidance into the student experience.

- Support and promote postgraduate study pathways, including the BIMM University MA and other relevant qualifications, as part of ongoing professional development.

- Represent the University at graduation ceremonies and industry or alumni events, promoting the value of alumni engagement and Creative Futures services.

- Work with the Marketing, Recruitment, and Admissions team to showcase careers activity and highlight graduate success across university social channels, building a bank of alumni guests to appear at open days and recruitment events.

- Collaborate with the Associate Dean: Access and Participation to address gaps in graduate progression and deliver inclusive, targeted careers support.

Person Specification

The Graduate Careers Manager will represent the University both internally and externally. In doing this, they will lead and contribute to developing a positive culture within the University. They will embody BIMM’s core values and promote equity, diversity and inclusion.

- Demonstrable experience working or performing within creative industries, with a demonstrated history of achieving results and contributing to creative projects.

- Clear understanding of sector‑specific roles, freelance work, and career progression routes with detailed knowledge and understanding of education‑to‑industry pathways in creative disciplines.

- Delivered an extensive programme of workshops and seminars to creative arts students, underpinned by postgraduate‑level expertise in education and employability, maintaining active engagement with relevant professional bodies, networks, and cultural organisations.

- Ability to demonstrate a successful track record in the design and delivery of employability‑focused modules, learning materials, and curriculum content—preferably within a higher education setting.

- Extensive links with industry professionals to support graduate employability which tap into alumni connections for mentoring and guest speaker relationships.

- Proven experience in supporting creative freelancers or self‑employed graduates.

- Track record of using data insights to inform and evolve employability and alumni support programmes, delivering impact from strategic planning through to evaluation and enhancement.

- Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams and functions.

- Experience using digital platforms and social media to connect with graduates, share career guidance, and build an engaged online alumni community.

- Recognised qualification in careers guidance, career development, or related professional field.

- Understanding of inclusive practice and equality, diversity, and inclusion in the creative workforce and an understanding of the University Access and Participation Plan.

- Familiarity with employment pathways and visa regulations for international graduates.

- Budget management experience and the ability to contribute to long‑term strategic planning.

- Experience of deploying and/or managing AI platforms and/or tools to collect graduate destination data.

Contractual Hours

37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday. You will occasionally be required to work evenings and weekends. You may also be called upon to support up to 4 open days / events per year for which TOIL can be claimed.

Location

Hybrid. You will be expected to work onsite for a minimum of 3 days per week. The successful candidate can be based at any of BIMM University’s eight UK campuses. You will also be expected to travel to other campuses in the UK, Ireland and Germany from time to time.

NB: This is not a complete statement of all duties and responsibilities of this post. The post holder may be required to carry out other duties in keeping with the nature of the post as directed by and agreed with their line manager.

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