Requisition ID: 26005
Location:
Newcastle, GB
Contract Type: Open Ended
Working Pattern: Full Time
Posted Date: 25 Aug 2023
Salary: £45,585 to £48,350 with progression to £54,395 per annum
Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.
Closing Date: 18 September 2023
The Role
We have an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Head of Residences to join our award-winning Estates and Facilities department.
We are seeking an experienced, dynamic and highly motivated individual to lead the Accommodation Services Residences team, an in-house team providing a cleaning, maintenance and support service to the 3500 students who live in our accommodation.
As part of the Estates and Facilities department this role will be part of the Facilities Team comprising of Accommodation Services, Hospitality and Commercial Services, Estates Administration, Security, Grounds, Building Facilities and Information Management. The service has been brought together to provide a resilient and flexible unit through increased collaboration and cross-discipline working. The post holder will be a member of the Accommodation Services Senior Management Team and will report to the Head of Accommodation Services and will play an important role in the delivery of this new way of working.
As a member of Accommodation Services Senior Management Team, you will be responsible for the management of staff and resources across the Residences strand to deliver outstanding customer experience and value and ensure the commercially sustainable operation of all University owned, managed and partnership residential buildings.
Working alongside the Head of Accommodation Services to develop a business strategy for existing accommodation and participate in the planning of the Service to meet future demands and expectations identifying and responding to the changing needs and aspirations of the student residential market.
You will have a proven track record of working with and leading multi-discipline teams and finding solutions to complex problems. You will be a team player and have excellent communication skills with the ability to influence and negotiate with stakeholders at all levels. A sound knowledge of accommodation management is essential alongside experience of the redevelopment of accommodation. This is an exciting chapter for the University as we embark on the development of a new student village to meet the aspirations of future students.
We’d like you to hold a degree in a relevant discipline such as housing or hospitality or alternatively have substantial equivalent experience in an accommodation management role. An awareness of Higher Education operations is desirable but not essential.
You must posses good IT skills with a sound working knowledge of Office applications and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Interviews will be held on Tuesday 26th September 2023.
For informal enquired, Helen Davis, email: helen.davis@ncl.ac.uk.
Key Accountabilities
- Support the Head of Accommodation by delivering a proactive, customer focused service continuously reviewing processes and procedures to ensure that all systems in operation are effective, efficient and compliant with University procedures and statutory legislation. Prioritise workload to ensure appropriate resource for the smooth running of the Residences strand
- Work with the Head of Accommodation to prepare and implement key policies and strategies for the Service in relation to the management and development of the current accommodation portfolio, long-term maintenance and repairs, commercial activities, energy and sustainability and disability awareness
- Provide strong leadership for the Residences team in order to foster a culture of outstanding performance and customer service whilst developing a change culture to meet the evolving needs of students. Demonstrate a strong commitment to equality and diversity in which staff are recruited, trained, managed, motivated, developed and recognised in line with University values policies and principles
- Ensure that agreed operational standards are implemented and monitored in line with business and customer expectations and in compliance with relevant legislation such as Health & Safety, Food Safety, UUK Code of Practice
- Work with the Head of Accommodation to plan and prepare annual service plan and budget. Ensure that Residences budgets are properly managed in accordance with University Financial Regulations and that value for money and efficiency are achieved by the Refurbishment & Redevelopment Manager and Operational Soft FM Manager
- Responsible to the Head of Accommodation for the preparation and management of Accommodation Services’ long term maintenance programme so that it meets the aims and objectives of the service. Work closely with the Refurbishment and Redevelopment manager on the redevelopment of a new Student Village for up to 2000 students, collaborating with colleagues in Estates & Facilities Capital team during the design, construction and handover of the project
- Work proactively with the Sustainability Team to deliver on the Environmental Sustainability Policy and support the delivery of the University carbon targets
- Ensure a safe and healthy environment for both colleagues and students, including full compliance with health and safety requirements. Ensure that buildings, grounds and equipment, facilities and IT are properly and safely developed and maintained in consultation with colleagues elsewhere in Estates & Facilities and in NUIT and in line with customer needs and expectations
- Direct the Out of Hours Service to ensure an effective response to emergencies and appropriate support is in place. Undertake the role of Duty Manager out of hours and participate in the Incident Management and Business Continuity Plan as Incident Manager in the event of a major incident being declared
- Proactively manage the behaviour of students in residence and liaise with Reslife and other University stakeholders to develop and educate residents in key topics to support their health and wellbeing
- Deputise for the Head of Accommodation Services in any Residences related matters. You will from time to time be required to undertake other duties of a similar nature as reasonably required by Head of Accommodation. You will be required to manage and participate in activities relating to student arrival and departure weekends as well as open and applicant days (these can vary depending on semester dates)
The Person (Essential)
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- A sound working knowledge of Housing Law & Health & Safety legislation
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the proven ability to lead, motivate, negotiate, influence at all levels within the University
- A demonstrable track record of personal drive, energy and commitment and a high degree of determination to work proactively to achieve objectives based on innovative thinking
- Excellent planning, organisational, creative and analytical skills alongside the ability to balance conflicting priorities to reach effective solutions
- Proven management ability of leading teams through change
- Customer focused approach
- Ability to work to tight deadlines
- Strong IT and financial skills
Attributes and Behaviour
- Works hard to build strong relationships with key stakeholders across the University and develops strong alliances
- Uses a variety of influencing styles
- Takes the initiative in presenting new ideas and approaches, promotes and actively drives change accepting the reality and requirement of change as part of achieving organisational goals and prepares for it at individual and functional level
- Encourages and promotes good communication and presents with confidence and impact
- Works hard to identify and develop talent within the Service
Qualifications
- A first degree, equivalent qualification or equivalent experience in a housing related discipline
Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.
We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.
At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.
In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
Requisition ID: 26005