The Open University UK Hiring for Head of Student Support (FASS) Job at Milton Keynes, England Full Time

Change your career, change lives

The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education.

The Head of Student Support is a key leadership role for the institution, with responsibility for the effective development and delivery of advice and guidance support services, designed to optimise student retention, completion, progression and satisfaction. The Head of Student Support (FASS) sits within Student Support Services (SSS) and works directly with Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences colleagues and a number of other student-facing units, to support students studying within this subject area.

Student Support Services (SSS) is part of the wider Academic Services unit and comprises nine interrelated teams: four Student Support teams (providing discipline and programme-specific information, advice and guidance support to undergraduate and postgraduate taught students); Student Support Operations; Careers and Employability Services; Student Additional Support (disability and mental health support; students in secure environments); Student Policy, Compliance and Casework; and Safeguarding, Quality and Inclusion.

SSS is committed to providing an integrated, professional and caring support service that embraces diversity and enhances the student experience. Within SSS, we endeavour to maximise student retention, completion and progression, by working in partnership with others, investing in the skills and capabilities of our staff and actively adapting to change.

The role

We are looking for a highly motivated and forward-thinking individual to become the Head of Student Support (FASS), who can ensure the continued effective development and delivery of timely and personalised information, advice and guidance support services to students studying with the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

As Head of Student Support (FASS), you will hold a key leadership role and will work collaboratively with a wide range of student-facing teams and other key stakeholders from across the University, influencing and negotiating where appropriate, to ensure a seamless student experience.

You will be an experienced team leader and manager, and naturally use an inclusive approach to leadership that enables others to maximise their potential and inspires and motivates them to work to the best of their abilities.

You will have significant experience of leading operations within a student support setting and be adept at using a values-led approach to identifying and implementing continual improvements to the service, so that it can evolve and flex to meet the changing needs of students and the institutional.

• The FASS Student Support Team is based at our campus in Milton Keynes which is the contractual location of the role, however we are happy to offer flexible working for this role. You should live within a commutable distance to our Milton Keynes campus as regular travel will be required.

Skills and experience

• Extensive experience and a passion for delivering effective information, advice and guidance support services that actively meet diverse and changing needs of students
• Substantive experience of leading, managing and developing multifunctional teams in a student support setting, with the ability to inspire and motivate staff to maximise their potential and work to the best of their abilities
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with a natural affinity to collaborate effectively, and promote a positive approach to problem-solving and shared responsibility, as a means of optimising student success

The full summary of duties and skills required for the role can be found within the Job Description here.

If you would like to discuss the particulars of this post before making an application, please email [email protected] or contact Wendy Hunt on 01908 655544.

What you get in return

We offer a great range of benefits that support our employees and their families for the long term, including 33 days holiday per annum plus Bank Holidays and Christmas closure days, an attractive pension proposition and free access to OU courses, including additional study time.

We fully support remote working and are open to flexible working arrangements including job-share.

How to apply

Unless otherwise stated in the advert, all applications are completed online via the OU Job’s page and following the instructions below and clicking the “APPLY NOW” link below. Applications submitted via 3rd party websites will not be considered.

This role is part of an anonymous recruitment approach and all applications are completed online following the instructions below and clicking the “Apply Now” link. This application can only be completed through the OU Jobs Page.

To apply for this role please submit the following:

• COMPLETED CANDIDATE QUESTION SHEET here. Please do not change the name of this document or put your name on the document
• CV

You will need to have your completed Candidate Question Sheet ready ahead of submitting the electronic application.

You will only be invited to interview if you meet the minimum requirements of the role as set out in the Job Description.

Access details for disabled applicants are available from the Resourcing Hub, telephone: 01908 655544, quoting the vacancy reference above.

APPLY NOW

Closing date: Friday 22 April 2022 12:00 midday

Interview date: Monday 9 May 2022

You will receive updates regarding your application from [email protected] Please ensure this email address is added to your list of trusted senders. Please also keep an eye on your junk folder to ensure you do not miss any important updates regarding this role

Find out more about us and our mission by watching this short video (you will be taken to YouTube by clicking this link).

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods, and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all our staff can reach their potential, and we encourage applications from candidates identifying in under-represented or marginalised groups. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength.

We offer a range of inclusive employment policies which include family and carer friendly flexible working arrangements and have many supportive staff networks and wellbeing services. We also endorse the principles of Athena SWAN, with commitment from all levels of the organisation in promoting gender equity.