Jobs at Glasgow

Assistant Director - Wellbeing & Student Success

Job Purpose

To play a lead role in the successful implementation and delivery of the Student & Academic Services vision, alongside the key strategies that support student success. Annual objectives will fully achieve key University goals and deliver improvements evidenced by internal and external measures. This will extend to making significant contributions to shaping the long-term strategic direction of the University, in partnership with senior academic and professional leaders.

The role reports to the Director of Student Wellbeing and has responsibility to the Executive Director of Student and Academic Services to provide significant leadership to determine and deliver the long-term structure of professional services within S&AS, aligned and contributing to university-level changes as appropriate.

The postholder will have strategic and operational responsibility for the University's Counselling, Wellbeing and Disability Services, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, evidence-informed services that support student success, inclusion, retention, safety and wellbeing. The post holder will bring significant specialist knowledge and leadership expertise in student mental health, wellbeing, disability inclusion, accessibility, and the wider regulatory and strategic context affecting these areas within higher education.

How to apply

  • Contract: This post is full time (35 hours per week) and open ended (permanent). Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.
  • Grade: Salary will be Grade 9, £59,966 - £67,468 per annum. 
  • Closing Date: 23:45 on 21st October 2026
  • Find out more and Apply now

Main Duties & Responsibilities

1.  Working as part of the S&AS Leadership Group, the postholder will make significant contributions to the development and delivery of Directorate priorities and strategies in line with the University's strategic objectives, evidenced by KPI's and targets such as student satisfaction, continuation, student success and return on investment. The role will lead the strategic planning process for Mental Health & Wellbeing and Disability Services and will assume lead responsibility for implementation of significant work streams, partnering on matters across Schools, Colleges and University Services.
2.  Manage and develop the professional, administrative, operational and technical support functions and structures within the areas of responsibility to secure effective delivery of priorities and KPI targets. This includes leadership of multidisciplinary specialist teams delivering mental health, wellbeing, disability and inclusion services. The role will provide significant leadership in resource planning to determine and deliver the long-term structure of professional services within S&AS, aligned to and contributing to University-level changes as appropriate.
3.  Lead horizon scanning for the areas of responsibility and as part of S&AS to future-proof performance sustainability within an increasingly competitive HE environment. This will include monitoring emerging trends, legislation, policy developments and sector expectations relating to student mental health, disability support, accessibility, safeguarding, risk management and student wellbeing. The role will involve regular reporting on potential changes to the operating model and strategic positioning of the areas of responsibility for S&AS Executive consideration.
4.  Lead contributor to the financial planning process for the areas of responsibility and work with the Director of Student Wellbeing to manage and lead financial strategy and operational delivery.
5.  Participate in regular reviews including competitor benchmarking, developing plans to improve performance in key areas of focus, including student experience and student success. This role will also provide leadership to ensure continuous improvement within assigned business areas.
6.  The postholder will work with senior colleagues to develop and manage external partnerships and networks to enhance the University's reputation at local, national and international levels. This will include engagement with relevant professional bodies, NHS partners, third-sector organisations, disability networks and sector agencies involved in advancing student wellbeing and inclusion.
7.  Make a senior contribution to the successful delivery of key change management programmes across the University, driving measurable improvement in key performance areas. This role will also lead assigned change programmes, driving efficiency gains and improving service provision to students.
8.  Ensure effective compliance, as required, with the University's governance framework, sourcing appropriate support from specialist and professional colleagues across the institution. This will include ensuring best practice in relation to all relevant legal, regulatory and sector requirements relating to disability, equality and student support.
9.  Contribute to University-wide process improvement programmes, driving efficiency gains and improving service provision to students and staff, providing SAS leadership aligned with University expectations. The role will be assigned University-wide responsibilities to lead and significantly contribute to improvement programmes.
10.  In partnership with senior colleagues, develop a robust framework to support compliance with relevant accreditation bodies, regulatory requirements and quality assurance processes. This will include external engagement with relevant bodies influencing the future strategy and focus of student wellbeing, mental health and disability provision.
11.  Undertake other duties commensurate with the role as assigned by the Director of Student Wellbeing.
 

Knowledge & Qualifications

Essential:

  • A1 Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post, having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and management skills through experience in a similar role or a number of different roles.
  • A2 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9, 10 or 11 (Honours Degree, Postgraduate Qualification) or equivalent, including being professionally qualified in a relevant discipline, with a broad range of professional experience in a similar management role.
  • A3 Significant understanding of the challenges affecting student mental health and wellbeing within higher education, and of evidence-informed approaches to prevention, early intervention and support.
  • A4 Significant knowledge of disability legislation, inclusive practice, reasonable adjustments and the strategic delivery of disability services in a complex organisational environment.
  • A5 Knowledge of governance and business processes in a large complex organisation.
  • A6 Broad knowledge of financial management within a budgetary control framework and an understanding of financial planning and business analytics.

Desirable:

  • B1 A relevant professional qualification in mental health, wellbeing, disability, inclusion, student support or a related field.
 

Skills

Essential:

  • C1 Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, particularly influencing, negotiation and diplomacy.
  • C2 Highly effective strategic leadership skills as a business partner.
  • C3 Ability to demonstrate resilience and able to maintain momentum in the face of challenges and setbacks.
  • C4 Excellent customer service, stakeholder management and business partnering skills.
  • C5 Proven ability to develop, deliver and articulate a clear vision and to develop operational plans to support strategic initiatives.
  • C6 Excellent ability to empower and motivate others to deliver a high-performance culture in a participative manner.

Experience

Essential:

  • E1 Extensive relevant experience in leading service delivery in areas of mental health, wellbeing, disability, inclusion and student support, including service development, strategy, risk management and quality assurance. preferably in a Higher Education setting.
  • E2 Demonstrable experience of leading multidisciplinary specialist teams with experience of developing strategy and influencing institutional policy and practice to improve inclusion, wellbeing, accessibility and student experience.
  • E3 Demonstrable and sustained track record of leading successful change projects across a complex organisation, with evidence of transformational impact and business process improvement.
  • E4 Extensive and recent administrative management or strategic leadership experience in a large complex organisation, working with senior colleagues and stakeholders in the development and implementation of strategic objectives, strategies and major projects.

Terms and Conditions

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
 
1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension, benefits and discount packages.
3 A flexible approach to working.
4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University. 
 
We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community here.
 
We endorse the principles of Athena Swan and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.
 
We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.
 
The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.
 
Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit:  https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.
 

It is the University of Glasgow’s mission to foster an inclusive climate, which ensures equality in our working, learning, research and teaching environment. We strongly endorse the principles of Athena SWAN, including a supportive and flexible working environment, with commitment from all levels of the organisation in promoting gender equity.

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Currently, we are embarking on the Keystone Building development while also exploring additional locations for future expansion. At the same time, we are investing in our ongoing programme of campus refurbishments. 

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Glasgow Film Festival

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Our values

decorative icon representing valuesThe future holds innumerable challenges for our sector, our society, and our world. We will have to adapt and change what we do and what we offer if we are to navigate these successfully. Our strategy and approach may evolve as the landscape changes, but our values will remain constant: a fixed point of certainty in uncertain times.

We have identified our values in consultation and partnership with our staff and student community. Our strategy is found on these values, and living and upholding these values will ensure that we remain true to the spirit of our community and ourselves:

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Ambition and Excellence

  • We strive for excellence through our work
  • We defend academic freedom globally
  • We recognise and celebrate shared success
  • We have an unrelenting focus on development
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Curiosity and Discovery

  • We innovate and solve problems together
  • We lead by influence and example
  • We engage with lifelong learning and personal development
  • We learn from our mistakes
Integrity and truth

Integrity and Truth

  • We uphold honesty, integrity and fairness
  • We share our work widely and generously
  • We do the right thing, not the easy thing - or we don’t do it
  • We take responsibility
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An Inclusive Community

  • We are one Glasgow team, and we care for and respect one another
  • We advocate for diversity and believe in variety as a vital part of a healthy university
  • We champion education as an engine for social progress
  • We practise and advance sustainability