Head of Student Services

Reporting to the Provost and Deputy Principal and a member of the Academic Leadership Team, in this role you will be responsible for the strategic and operational direction of SRUC’s student services including:

• Careers advice and guidance
• Counselling, wellbeing, financial and pastoral support
• Learning support
• Library support
• Campus administration
• Widening participation

The postholder will:

• Provide strategic leadership for the enhancement of SRUC’s student services, including the streamlining of all related systems and processes.
• Develop and implement coherent and effective cross-SRUC student services and associated policies and procedures.
• Provide strong and collegial leadership of the Student Services team, supporting and nurturing them through proactive professional and personal development.
• Monitor and evaluate mechanisms for student services provided by SRUC establishing and reporting against agreed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and using this information to inform strategic and operational planning for improvement in service delivery.
• Establish effective working relationships and liaison with key contacts both internally and externally, including student organisations, SRUC teams, relevant external agencies, networks, and forums to ensure that student services are effectively and efficiently delivered.
• Lead the coordination of SRUC induction and welcome activities.
• Contribute to relevant SRUC strategies including Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and Widening Access and Participation.
• Chair the Student Support and Engagement Committee.
• Contribute to statutory reporting for the areas of responsibility. Liaising with Registry to collate/report on student characteristics and providing a whole SRUC view of student support service efforts and their success to the funding council and other governmental bodies. The post holder will liaise with academics and support staff outside of their own team to gather, synthesise and present a view on a wide range of activities related to current and future students.
• Oversee, manage, and monitor the budget for SRUC’s student services, contributing to financial management and planning.

As hybrid working arrangements are currently in place, flexibility of location within Scotland may be considered.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Qualified to Bachelors/Ordinary Degree level in a relevant area.
• Membership of relevant professional networks

  OR

• Demonstrable comparable occupational experience
• Driving licence as occasional travel to remote areas not covered by public transport may feature in this role.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Strategic planning, target setting, evaluation, and reporting preferably in an HEI environment.
• Successful partnership working with internal and external colleagues to support the learning, development, and welfare of students.
• Proven effective leader of individuals and teams.
• Leading change in a complex organisation.
• Managing budgets and other resources e.g. physical.
• Proven record of evaluative ability, to recognise areas for improvement and plan for excellence.
• Understanding of the strategic role of Student Services in supporting student learning, development, and welfare within a tertiary organisation with both campus and work-based/distance delivery.
• Excellent communication, negotiating and influencing skills to facilitate, support and enhance an inclusive culture of supporting students at SRUC; able to engage at all levels in the organisation.
• Ability to work collaboratively, and cross-functionally.
• Highly organised and able to deliver to deadlines.

Desirable Skills and Experience:

• Managing change within an education setting.
• Working on national initiatives / participating in strategic groups.

Please fully read the Job Particulars document before applying.

Interview date(s): Stage one: 23/01/2025 or 03/02/2025

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