Director of Student Services

Director of Student Services

£75,000 - £80,000 per annum

37 hours per week with some flexibility for evening/weekend work if required

Permanent

About the Role

• Provide strategic direction for a broad range of student facing services, ensuring they align with institutional priorities and future ambitions
• Shape and deliver initiatives that enhance student engagement, retention, achievement and progression
• Oversee key areas including safeguarding, wellbeing, residential provision, accommodation, employability, careers and student enrichment
• Use data, insight and performance measures to inform decision-making and evaluate service effectiveness
• Develop service strategies that respond to sector developments, emerging student needs and regulatory requirements
• Build effective working partnerships across academic and professional service areas to deliver a high quality student experience
• Drive innovation, continuous improvement and operational excellence across Student Services
• Lead significant institutional projects that contribute to student success and organisational performance
• Ensure robust governance, risk management and compliance arrangements are maintained across the service portfolio
• Serve as the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Prevent Lead, leading on compliance with statutory and legal duties, reporting to internal and external stakeholders (e.g. Board of Governors, Office for Students, Ofsted) and policy implementation in line with the accountabilities of the role
• Contribute to strategic planning and decision making as a member of Hartpury's Executive Team

About You 

• Significant experience in a senior student services, student experience, safeguarding, wellbeing or related leadership role
• A record of delivering successful services within higher education, further education or a similar sector
• Experience of managing diverse professional teams and creating high performing working environments
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding responsibilities, student wellbeing and relevant regulatory frameworks
• Experience of developing and implementing strategy, managing change and delivering measurable outcomes
• Communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build credibility across a wide range of audiences
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills, using evidence and insight to inform decisions and improve performance
• The ability to manage competing priorities, navigate complex situations and exercise sound judgement
• A commitment to equality, diversity and accessibility, ensuring services meet the needs of a broad student population
• Previous candidates need not apply

We offer a fantastic package of staff benefits including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme
• Generous pension scheme: Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Employee Discounts Scheme
• Onsite fitness facilities
• Support for continuous professional development
• Flexible working opportunities available
• Enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity leave
• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme, launching in 2026
• Free entry to seasonal events on campus
• Shuttle bus to Gloucester available, pay per use

About Us

Hartpury University and Hartpury College are among the UK’s leading specialist education providers in agriculture, animal, equine, sport and veterinary nursing. Located in Gloucestershire, Hartpury University and Hartpury College sit side-by-side on a beautiful 360-hectare campus. We provide world-class facilities to more than 4,500 university and college-level students studying undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, A-levels and diplomas, as well as undertaking industry research. The University is rated top 10 in the UK for Teaching Quality (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025) and has 97% graduate employability, whilst the College is rated Ofsted Outstanding in all areas.  Our passionate, innovative business culture and strong support networks make Hartpury an exceptional place to develop professionally and progress your career.

At Hartpury, we’re committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace – a place where we can all be ourselves and everyone feels respected and valued. As a Disability Confident Employer, we actively welcome applications from ethnically diverse backgrounds, LGBTQI+ communities and disabled candidates. We offer an interview to any disabled applicant who meets the essential criteria for the role. We’ll also ensure fair treatment and provide reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process for anyone who needs them. As part of our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion we offer a range of inclusive policies, flexible working arrangements and a multi-faith space to support staff from different backgrounds. To find out more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity, please click here.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.  All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks. 

Click the button below to apply online or telephone (01452) 702135 to request documents by post. 

Click here to view the full Job Description and Person Specification

The closing date for receipt of applications is 30th September 2026

Interviews are due to be held on the 14th October 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the specified closing date should we receive sufficient applications or in order to respond to business needs. To avoid missing the opportunity to apply, we encourage candidates to submit their applications at their earliest convenience.

Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK.