Assistant Director (Wellbeing) – AD2152NK

Student Services provides a comprehensive support service for all students, which includes:

• Disability, Finance, and academic advice.
• Pastoral support in halls of residence
• Out of Hours support
• Information service to students at The Advice and Support Centre (ASC).
• Wellbeing, Coaching, Counselling, CBT and Mental Health coordination, working within a Matching Care model.

The role holder will manage the Wellbeing team and share overall management and delivery of the Wellbeing, Counselling and Mental Health service.  The Wellbeing team responds to enquiries and disclosures regarding situations that have impacted student wellbeing, safety or ability to engage with studies.  The role holder will provide advice to colleagues, and directly manage escalated or complex cases where appropriate. 

Alongside shared responsibility for the team noted above, this post will assist in the wider leadership, management and delivery of Student Services. Lara Meischke, the Director, has overall responsibility for the unit and management and is assisted by a team of Assistant Directors.  The role holder will oversee and develop services, proactive initiatives and interventions that support student wellbeing and engagement. They will liaise with colleagues and students across the University community and beyond. 

Although the role is primarily a daytime one, there will be some out of hours work. The post holder will be part of a rota; staffing the out of hours service approximately once every six/seven weeks.

The successful candidate will be qualified to degree level with experience in managing complex situations involving people in distress.  You will have experience of leading staff in a similar service, and of having worked in higher or further education settings. The role requires excellent communication skills and the ability to engage effectively and professionally with students, staff and external stakeholders, including parents.  You will have experience of working in a busy, first-response setting within a multi-disciplinary context, with the abilities to remain calm under pressure and to prioritise work.  You must be willing to share information with your colleagues in a professional co-working context.  The successful applicant is required to be a leader, flexible in their approach and capable of making responsible and complex decisions on a daily basis.

Whilst the role is available as an open-ended contract, we would welcome applications from candidates who would like to explore this role as a development opportunity, or on a fixed-term basis.

Employees of the University have access to a wide range of staff benefits.

Further information and enquiries may be directed to Lara Meischke, email: ljm19@st-andrews.ac.uk, Tel: 01334 462020.

Applications are particularly welcome from people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented in professional posts at the University.   

Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of the St Andrews experience and form a central pillar of the University Strategy.  We strive to create a fair and inclusive culture demonstrated through our commitment to diversity awards (Athena Swan, Carer Positive, LGBT Charter and Race Charters). We celebrate diversity by promoting profiles of BAME, LGBTIQ+ staff and supporting networks including the Staff BAME Network; Staff with Disabilities Network; Staff LGBTIQ+ Network; and the Staff Parents & Carers Network.  Full details available online: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/hr/edi/.

Closing Date: 6 June 2024                                                     
Please quote ref: AD2152NK                   

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