This exciting new opportunity has arisen within our Student Services directorate to take a leading role in the delivery of an outstanding student experience at the University of Kent. If you are an expert in student support and wellbeing with strengths in leadership and communication, we would love to hear from you.

As Deputy Director Student Services and Head of Student Support & Wellbeing, you will oversee the provision of an integrated service for students in the areas of mental health, disability (including long term medical conditions), neurodiversity and specific learning difficulties. This is a demanding role in which you will manage a team, putting to use your excellent influencing skills and a consensus-building approach, as well as responding to urgent and critical situations, some of which will be out-of-hours. This includes being part of an out-of-hours rota with the Director of Student Services and the Head of Colleges and Community Life.

This role will see you:
- accountable for the coordination and provision of a high quality and professional student support and wellbeing service
- providing strategic and practical advice to the Director of Student Services and the wider University on operational aspects of the service
- overseeing support for students who have reported mental health, sexual assault and/or harassment, ensuring appropriate risk assessments are in place
- leading, motivating and developing staff
- deputising for the Director of Student Services as needed

To succeed in this role you will have:
- a post-graduate qualification or relevant professional qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant profession at managerial level
- experience of working within higher education
- experience of risk assessment in complex emergency situations
- experience of supporting students on a one-to-one basis
- experience of managing a team within a counselling, mental health or student support context

The Student Services Division enables students to fulfil their potential for academic and personal development by offering appropriate guidance and welfare services that support their capacity for responsible and informed decision-making. It provides a co-ordinated network of student guidance and welfare services that offer ease of communication and referral across academic, administrative and Students’ Union boundaries.

The University of Kent is a distinctive and attractive place to work. We employ over 6,000 staff, including academic and research staff and a full range of support and administration staff. Our staff enjoy competitive salaries, an occupational pension scheme, generous holiday entitlements and a great working environment.

We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented at this level in this area.

Full details of the role and the selection criteria are available via the University of Kent jobs website, where you can apply for this post - click on 'Apply online’ below.