Head of Student Accommodation Services

Job Purpose
The Head of Student Accommodation is responsible for providing strategic leadership and direction of the Accommodation Service, and to lead a team responsible for delivering a professional and effective function to enhance the student experience via direct management of University of Glasgow (UofG) retained residences, and through relationship management with contracted partners and other nominated private providers for all University offered bed spaces.

The post holder will be accountable for legislative compliance, focused on enhancing the University's reputation and lead the development and delivery of Accommodation Services strategy, policy, and operational performance across the accommodation portfolio.  The post holder will also contribute to the wider Commercial Services Directorate strategy delivery as a key member of the senior leadership team.

Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. Provide overall strategic leadership of the UofG portfolio of c.3,500 owned student rooms and c.2,200 beds under the University's provision as part of nominations agreements with private accommodation providers.
2. Accountable for the development and operationalisation of the University's Residential Strategy, accounting for longer term demand and legislative implications, working in conjunction with Estates Directorate colleagues. Ultimately responsible for achieving all income, contribution and expenditure targets to deliver a budgeted surplus for the University.
3. Lead, motivate and develop staff effectively within Accommodation Services, ensuring high performing, cohesive and collaborative working within a diverse group of professionals, providing a variety of services including allocations, accommodation management, residential catering and ancillary services.
4. Development and implementation of effective procedures to improve quality and effectiveness, utilising customer feedback to implement exceptional standards of service in line with Accommodation, Directorate and University strategy.
5. Use specialist knowledge and experience to evaluate service delivery and identify improvements or effective ways of delivering services, as well as ensuring good operating practice within University managed sites. Identify and implement necessary policy and procedural change to ensure legislative compliance and to reflect good practice and the changing internal and external environment.
6. Lead the monitoring of service level standards in the c.2,600 bed spaces managed by Sanctuary Students, liaising and interfacing with Sanctuary Students personnel on all operational matters and ensuring adherence to contractual agreements.
7. Responsibility for ensuring the University is compliant with its legal and other obligations as a landlord. This includes providing advice on Health & Safety, National Codes of Practice, Professional Standards and Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 and related legislation (incl. HMO licensing).  This involves the development of policy and liaising with Building Control, Environmental Health, Licensing Section of Glasgow City Council and key personnel from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to manage and mitigate potential risk across relevant operations.
8. Accountable for overall budgetary control within Accommodation Services via the management of budgets for each residence to achieve income and expenditure targets. All financial transactions should comply with the University's purchasing policies and financial regulation.
9. Develop, in conjunction with the Estates Directorate, Accommodation Services Health & Safety policies and procedures for legislative compliance and to ensure monitoring and testing is carried out in accordance with procedures.
10. Responsible for developing business continuity plans and ensuring emergency plans are equipped to deal with major incidents, linking in with other stakeholders in the University as required.
11. As strategic lead, work with colleagues to deliver planned maintenance works and refurbishment programmes to a high standard, within budget and with minimal impact on students and commercial business. This includes the development and monitoring of a proactive life cycle maintenance plan for the UofG retained properties in line with the programme delivered by the Sanctuary-managed sites.
12. Responsibility for working proactively with third party providers in the event of shortfalls in accommodation provision and drawing up associated contracts within tight timescales to ensure consistency of residential experience.
13. Acting as University representative in Licensing Court proceedings to effectively manage operational and reputational risk. When necessary, liaise with elected members and council officials to neutralise potential threats to granting licenses.
14. Overall accountability for the effective partnership working with third party providers, such as Kinetics or Optify, and for the development of IT within the accommodation service.
15. Responsible for the provision of sales, marketing and operational services to support summer commercial business to ensure that the University is a destination of choice
16. Through the appropriate channels, oversee the development and proactive use of digital and social media to enhance the student experience in UofG residences.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge / Qualifications 

Essential:
A1 Ability to demonstrate the necessary strategic competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and leadership experience in a similar or number of different specialist roles.
OR   Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9,10 or 11 (Ordinary/Honours Degree, Post Graduate Qualification), or equivalent, including being professionally qualified in relevant discipline, with a broad range of professional leadership experience in strategically important specialist areas.
A2 Extensive knowledge of Housing, Health & Safety and Employment legislation within a university environment
A3 Expert knowledge of facilities management, student welfare and disability requirements
A4 Highly developed knowledge of budgetary management
A5 An up-to-date knowledge of Microsoft Packages (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
A6 Strong evidence of continuing professional development relevant to role

Desirable:
B1 Knowledge of University Policies and Procedures

Skills

Essential:
C1 Demonstrable skills in influencing strategic direction, communicating effectively and persuasively at all levels, both within and out with the University or comparable complex organisation/sector
C2 Highly developed leadership and pastoral skills
C3 Proven ability to liaise and communicate effectively in a concise and confident manner with the ability to interact positively with a range of staff, students, individuals and groups at all levels both within and across organisational boundaries
C4 Highly developed analytical and problem-solving skills associated with operational, management, legislative, related matters
C5 High level of professionalism
C6 Excellent numerical skills and the ability to manage extensive budgets
C7 Experience of planning and progressing work activities using initiative and independent judgement
C8 Strong interpersonal skills and ability to motivate staff and manage performance effectively.
C9 Excellent written communication skills and the ability to write concise reports and strategic documents
C10 Ability to multitask and prioritise effectively whilst working well under pressure
C11 Innovative and ability to identify areas for continuous improvement
C12 Excellent coordination skills
C13 Well developed project management skills

Experience

Essential:
E1 Significant management experience at a strategic level in a University accommodation environment or within the PBSA commercial sector
E2 Proven staff management experience and a strong track record of leading, motivating and developing people
E3 Experience of developing and implementing policy and procedures
E4 Proven financial management and budgeting experience
E5 Proven track record of delivering successful outcomes.
E6 Experience of delivery of change and improvements in line with identified strategic objectives
E7 Demonstrable experience of working in and building partnerships with internal and external stakeholders in a highly consultative and collaborative environment
E8 Previous experience in using room management/allocation, finance and HR systems

Desirable:
F1 Proven management experience in a student educational environment

Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 9, £57,696 - £64,914 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and open-ended (permanent). Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff,

pension

, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your

health and wellbeing

, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  .

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community

here

.

We endorse the principles of

Athena Swan

and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.