Director of Student and Academic Services

Full-time | Permanent | 35 hours per week
Location: London (with flexible working options available)

Starting Salary from £103,982

Shape the future of student and academic success at one of the UK’s most inclusive and forward-thinking universities.

We’re seeking an accomplished senior leader with:

• Extensive knowledge of the UK Higher Education landscape, including government policy, regulatory frameworks, and the student lifecycle.
• A proven track record of delivering high-quality services in a complex and multi-stakeholder environment, ideally within a university or comparable sector.
• A strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities in supporting students and academic staff, particularly in diverse and evolving contexts.
• The ability to lead multidisciplinary teams with empathy, clarity, and agility, ensuring services remain responsive, high-impact and future-focused.

This is a unique opportunity to join a values-led university with a long-standing commitment to widening participation, enabling transformation, and promoting a global outlook through practical, inclusive education. The institution is dedicated to ensuring that individuals from all backgrounds can realise their full potential and thrive within a diverse, urban, and international community.

We are now inviting applications for the role of Director of Student and Academic Services, a pivotal leadership post at the heart of our institution. Reporting directly to the University Secretary and Chief Operating Officer (COO), and as a key member of the Professional Services Leadership Team, you will provide strategic direction for an integrated portfolio of services that underpin student success and academic excellence. You will play a key role in delivering our Strategy 2022-2029, ensuring alignment with our strategic priorities in education, research, inclusion, and community engagement.

This is an exciting and influential opportunity for a dynamic, values-led leader to:

• Lead the development and delivery of student- and academic-facing services across the University, with a strong focus on quality, innovation and inclusion.
• Drive strategic improvements to student experience, student support and academic operations, with a keen eye on equity, wellbeing and belonging.
• Collaborate closely with academic leadership, the Students’ Union and external partners to deliver a seamless and empowering experience for students and staff alike.
• Shape the physical and digital environment within Student and Academic Services to reflect best practice in co-creation, accessibility and student-centred design.

Most importantly, you will bring a leadership style that is collaborative, inclusive and purpose-driven, aligned with our institutional values of being progressive, compassionate, and responsible.

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, especially those who are underrepresented at the executive level in Higher Education.

Join us in making a lasting difference for our students, our colleagues and our global community.