Student Support Advisor

Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland

The University of Auckland is New Zealand's leading university. With over 6,000 academic and professional staff supporting more than 46,000 students, we are one of NZ's largest employers. We have six academic faculties and 11 service divisions, creating a diverse, dynamic, and complex organisational culture that demands excellence.

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

Are you passionate about supporting students and helping them thrive? We are seeking a dedicated Student Support Adviser (Rural) to join our Student Development and Engagement team within the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences.

In this role, you will work directly with students to identify and respond to their support needs, ensuring they have the resources and guidance to succeed. You’ll play a critical role in supporting rural students, who often face unique challenges such as financial stress and isolation. This includes providing wrap-around support for students on rural placements while helping our rural cohort settle into life on the Grafton Campus and as such, this role will require occasional travel to clinical sites across the North Island.

This is a part-time (18.75h per week), fixed term position until Dec 31 2026. Where appropriate, the hours of work can be flexible to suit the right candidate.

The salary range for this role is $62,400 – $77,800 (pro-rated) depending on skills and experience.

For more detailed information, please review the position description.

He kōrero mōu | About you

You’re a people person with a strong sense of empathy and a commitment to student success. You thrive in collaborative environments, can build trust quickly, and have the ability to navigate complex situations with care and professionalism. Your organisational skills and proactive approach mean you can manage multiple priorities while maintaining a high standard of service.

You will bring:

• A tertiary qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline (e.g., social work).
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience working with students or young people and understanding their diverse needs. Providing wellbeing and pastoral support, particularly in a tertiary environment will be highly advantageous
• Experience in environments requiring high levels of customer service.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build relationships across diverse communities.
• Thorough knowledge of the rural context in Aotearoa, with lived experience considered a bonus

Ngā Pūkenga Motuhake | Important Skills

• Ability to work with individuals experiencing mid-level distress.
• Active listening and interpersonal skills with an ability to build strong relationships.
• Strong organisational and administrative skills, including accurate record-keeping.
• A collaborative mindset and commitment to continuous improvement.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading university and maintains significant computational, laboratory and analytic facilities. Auckland itself is frequently rated as one of the world’s most liveable cities. The University is committed to providing an excellent working environment through:

• Flexible employment practices (including working from home, flexible hours)
• Up to 6.75% company superannuation scheme
• A competitive salary with five weeks’ annual leave

For more information, please visit Staff Benefits.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Applications must be submitted online by the closing date of 16 March 2026 to be considered. Please include your cover letter and CV highlighting how you meet the skills and experiences detailed above.

For a confidential conversation, please contact Andrew via [email protected]. Please note we are happy to answer your questions, but we do not accept applications by email.

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment.  For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz