Do you have proven experience leading the delivery of student and support services and are dedicated to providing a transformative student experience? At the University of Kent, we are seeking a new Director of Student Services to continue and build upon our award-winning work in this space, placing our diverse, passionate and independent students at the heart of what we do. You will play a key part in developing the University for the future, providing strategic leadership and operational oversight to a range of student services, including Student Support and Wellbeing, Student Conduct and Complaints, Student Life, and Careers and Employability. We are looking for a visionary leader who can guide and manage these areas to deliver an excellent student experience at a time of significant change in the sector. You will shape the non-academic aspects of student life, ensuring that all students can get the support and resources they need to thrive. The role is demanding and rewarding and pivotal to achieving our ambitions as a university. As Director of Student Services, you can expect to be involved in: leading on the development of strategic initiatives, working closely with Kent Students Union and other senior managers to improve all aspects of student life and experience; developing, managing and implementing institutional strategies, policies, procedures and guidance to support all Kent students, developing clear and concise evidence-based and analytic reports to support decisions; leading on the development, implementation and evaluation of student initiatives to support and promote student safety and student life, enhancing the University's reputation in the local community and strengthening good community relations; leading the strategic development, implementation, coordination, and monitoring of student equality, diversity, and inclusivity to ensure the promotion and sharing of good practices across the university, as well as legal compliance and accountability to the University Council. What will you bring to the role? Proven expertise and experience in the delivery of student services such as student support and wellbeing, careers and employability, or student life and community; Experience of working within and substantial knowledge of the Higher Education (or related) sector and an understanding and/ or key appreciation of the challenges facing it; Experience in responding to, and as a consequence, the management of, the high-level risks that are associated with student services; Excellent and effective negotiation, influencing and communication skills, giving you the ability to deal confidently and diplomatically with a range of people at all levels. What we can offer in return: At Kent, you can expect a friendly, open, and collaborative working environment and support for your development and wellbeing. You'll enjoy a range of great staff benefits, including: 43 days leave per year (personal leave, bank holidays and additional days allocated for the Christmas period, pro rata for part-time staff) Excellent pension scheme with generous employer contributions Comprehensive and flexible relocation package for eligible candidates Corporate employee-funded healthcare plan, in partnership with Benenden HealthFor more information about what you can look forward to if you join us, visit our dedicated webpage: Working at Kent Full details of the role and the University are available in the Candidate Brief, For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Professor Richard Reece, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Education and Student Experience, via dvceducationkent.ac.uk