Head of Student Services

We're on the lookout for an exceptional Head of Student Services to champion our vibrant community of learners at our brand-new London campus. In this role, you'll be at the helm of a diverse array of support services aimed at empowering our students to thrive.

From academic guidance to mental health support, career counselling to accommodation assistance, you'll oversee it all, ensuring every student has the resources they need to succeed. But this role is more than just management—it's about creating a culture of inclusivity and belonging, where every student feels valued and supported.

As the driving force behind our Student Support Services at the University of Portsmouth London (UoPL), you'll be shaping the future of education. If you're passionate about student success and ready to make a real difference, we want to hear from you. 

Your responsibilities will include:

Leadership and Management: Leading and managing the Student Support Services team with vision and expertise.

Strategy Development: Crafting and implementing the Student Support Strategy for our London campus, ensuring alignment with departmental objectives and effective stakeholder engagement.

Compliance: Ensuring all services comply with relevant legislation, regulatory frameworks, and industry best practices, including Safeguarding and Prevent.

Innovation and Adaptation: Staying ahead of future trends to deliver cost-effective, high-quality services that evolve with changing economic and social landscapes.

Quality Assurance: Maintaining high-quality services that meet the standards of professional bodies and accreditation processes.

Budget Management: Effectively managing staffing and non-staffing costs to optimise resources.

Staff Development: Nurturing team performance through clear business plans, staff objectives, and ongoing engagement.

Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborating with external stakeholders to promote the university's profile and enhance specialist support services.

Performance Review: Participating in and contributing to performance and development reviews to ensure alignment with university aims.

Health and Safety: Adhering to health and safety policies and promoting a safe environment for all.

Diversity and Inclusion: Upholding the university's commitment to equality, diversity, respect, and dignity in all aspects of student support.

To excel in this role, you'll need:

Educational Background: An undergraduate degree is essential, with a postgraduate qualification being desirable.

Leadership Experience: Demonstrated success in leadership roles within higher education or equivalent environments, providing effective direction to teams.

Financial Management: Ability to manage budgets, work with financial systems, and navigate operational planning and complex projects.

Regulatory Understanding: A solid grasp of legal and regulatory aspects relevant to higher education, such as Student Finance, UKVI, Safeguarding, or Prevent, with an awareness of the external impact of higher education.

Communication Skills: Excellent oral and written communication skills are a must, along with a high level of IT literacy to effectively advise staff and colleagues and produce complex reports.

Customer Service Excellence: Proven experience in leading excellent customer service initiatives, aligned with a commitment to service excellence values.

Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrable ability to manage and motivate diverse teams, facilitate performance through training and coaching, and navigate formal processes.

Strategic Decision-Making: Proven track record of contributing significantly to strategic decision-making processes, coupled with creative problem-solving skills to address complex issues and devise cost-effective solutions.

Professional Qualification: A professional qualification in Student Support Services or equivalent, coupled with evidence of continuous professional development.

Salary and Benefits:

This is a full-time, permanent role offering a competitive salary of £50,000 - £55,000 per annum, commensurate with experience. In addition to a rewarding career in higher education, you will have access to a range of benefits, including pension schemes, holiday entitlement, and professional development opportunities.

If you're passionate about making a difference in student support and ready to lead with vision and dedication, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity. Join us at the University of Portsmouth London and be part of a community committed to empowering student success and well-being.

Location: London Campus/ Field-Based, University of Portsmouth London (UoPL)

To apply, please email your application to talent@northchild.com via the ‘Apply’ button above. 

Please note that interviews will be conducted upon receipt of suitable applications and may occur before the specified closing date.