Interim Head of Student Services

Anderson Quigley is delighted to share the final role of our current phase of interim leadership recruitment for Bournemouth University, as we search for an Interim Head of Student Services.

Practicalities:

This is a 6-9 month contract, offered on an FTC salaried basis, with an immediate or ASAP start, although a December start could be accommodated. Full-time is preferred, but 0.8 FTE may be considered. Hybrid working with at least 3 days per week on-site in Poole will be required (travel/accommodation support could be discussed).

Overview:

As Interim Head of Student Services, you will play a crucial role in enhancing the student experience, involving oversight of key areas such as student wellbeing, mental health, disability support, careers and employability, student engagement, appeals, complaints, and conduct, while also serving as university safeguarding lead. Your key goals will focus on energising and strengthening the team, boosting student continuation rates, enhancing mental health services, and conducting a review of departmental functions to ensure long-term effectiveness.

Essential Criteria:

The ideal candidate will have impactful leadership experience within student services in Higher Education, driving positive change in complex, service-oriented settings. You must excel at managing cross-functional teams and fostering a collaborative, student-centred culture. Experience with systems implementation is crucial, as you will oversee the integration of a new case management system and attendance tracking.

As a strategic thinker with expertise in student wellbeing and safeguarding, you will have a track record of improving service quality in mental health, disability support, and employability. A proactive approach to enhancing student retention, understanding key intervention points, and increasing continuation rates is essential.

Exceptional communication skills are essential for collaborating with university leadership and external partners to align Student Services with BU’s strategic goals. The successful candidate will demonstrate resilience and inspire the team to thrive, providing a clear path forward. Experience in budget management, risk assessment, and strong governance practices will be crucial for achieving operational excellence for student services.

Next Steps:

Applications close on 13th November 2024. For more information, please contact Eva Tomka or Akhil Yerneni.