Director for Student Engagement
Job Description
Position Overview
Department: Student Engagement
Term: Full-time; permanent
Salary: £65,000 - £70,000 per annum, depending on experience
Benefits: Generous benefits package including 25 days holiday allowance (excl. schemes) and private healthcare (optional)
Reports to: Assistant Vice President for Academic Services and Student Engagement
Line Manager to: Head of Student Support and Development, Head of Student Regulatory Resolutions Office, and Head of Residence Services
The Director for Student Engagement’s role is to provide leadership and management of the University’s Student Engagement teams:
- Student Support and Development
- Student Regulatory Resolutions Office
- Residence Services
This role will ensure a full range of services that deliver general and specialist information, advice and guidance to students alongside operational wellbeing and disability support. They will ensure that the services follow best professional and sector practice and are compliant with legislative and regulatory requirements.
This role will support the Assistant Vice President for Academic Services and Student Engagement with the connection between teams in London and the other parts of the Northeastern Global network, especially Boston, as well as ensuring effective links with faculty facilitating operational efficiency, effectiveness and accountability, and service excellence as well as providing strong operational leadership and people management.
Duties and Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
- Act as a source of expertise for the University on matters related to student engagement, wellbeing and disability services, including relevant legislation and regulation, and assist in the development and implementation of appropriate policies and procedures.
- Support the Assistant Vice President for Academic Services and Student Engagement to propose and manage the budget for Student Engagement staffing and services; and ensure the University meets the associated conditions of registration with the Office for Students and the requirements of other regulatory and professional bodies.
- Provide day to day operational leadership and oversight to the Heads of service within Student Engagement.
- Take lead responsibility for managing complex and high-risk student welfare cases.
- Work proactively and in partnership with the academic management teams, and with colleagues within the University to ensure that student engagement, wellbeing and disability services are seamlessly coordinated.
- Monitor and review service effectiveness to ensure continual enhancement of services; including quarterly reports to the University governing body on service demands.
- Work with colleagues to ensure that published information around student support, engagement, wellbeing and disability services is regularly maintained across various media and is compliant with regulatory and professional bodies.
- Oversee production of and use of a range of support, engagement and wellbeing guidance and learning resources for both students and staff.
- Oversee the design, development and delivery of workshops for students and staff, that are relevant to all aspects of student support, engagement, wellbeing and inclusivity.
- Support the response to student crises and critical incidents that fall under Student Engagement teams, ensuring that the University supports its community, exercises its duties appropriately, and protects its reputation.
- Build partnerships with local NHS services as well as other health and voluntary agencies to ensure a holistic joined up service for the benefit of students and staff.
- Participate in, and in some cases Chair, various University committees and steering groups commensurate with the position.
- Administer and ensure compliance with London regulations, policies and procedures, and Boston promulgated Northeastern policies and procedures as required.
- Administer and ensure compliance with local laws and regulations as required.
Staff Leadership and Management
- Support in the hiring and management of members of staff in Student Engagement.
- Provide ongoing management and coaching to staff and help facilitate their success and development.
- Lead, engage and motivate staff and actively support a positive team and institutional culture.
- Provide frequent feedback, recognition and coaching to ensure high performance, professional growth and development.
- Plan for and support staff in career and professional development opportunities aligned with the organisation’s needs.
- Maintain up to date knowledge of Data Protection and Freedom of Information requirements and provide training and support to the team when policies change and/or issues arise.
- Assist staff in navigating business processes and resolving issues.
About the University
Founded in 2012, Northeastern University London has established itself as a prestigious higher education institution based in the heart of London. After becoming part of Northeastern University’s global network in early 2019, the University has undergone a period of rapid growth, having been granted Taught Degree Awarding Powers in February 2020 and moving to new premises in 2021. NU London continues to grow taking in more students year on year, further expanding its courses, network, and opportunities.
Person specification
Qualifications
- Excellent knowledge and experience of student support services in UK Higher Education sector.
- Knowledge and experience of student support services in US Higher Education sector.
- Excellent understanding of and adherence to Safeguarding and welfare requirements.
- Experience of working with external stakeholders, such as regulators, quality bodies and collaborative partners.
- Experience of committee membership, including acting as Chair.
- Experience of line management and providing training/coaching/mentoring for staff and/or students.
- Experience of crisis and/or incident management.
- Ability to analyse and understand complex regulatory and procedural documentation.
- Excellent interpersonal skills to work with staff at all levels.
- Ability to work creatively and collaborate with colleagues across the global network.
- Excellent report, data analysis, and writing skills.
- Ability to securely hold and manage confidential information.
- Ability to prioritise workload and exercise excellent time-management skills.
- Excellent organisational skills.
- Ability to pay close attention to detail.
- Good IT skills, including using Word, Excel, email, Internet and VLE.
Application Process
Applications should be made via this link by 23:59 on 19 September 2024. Please reference your application ‘DSE0824’. Participation in the equal opportunities section is encouraged, but voluntary. Applications must include a covering letter of no more than one A4 page and a full CV. Applications are welcome from all sections of the community and will be judged on merit alone. Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.
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