Student Support Manager

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better. The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region. We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes. Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills. About the College/Department The Registry support all aspects of the student journey, right from initial enquiry and application, all the way through to final award and student completion. We strive to provide an outstanding service to all our users and to be thought leaders in our fields of expertise, developing research informed practise. Registry teams work collaboratively with stakeholders to deliver a high-performance culture that promotes wellbeing, diversity and opportunity for all, supporting excellent student experience. About the Role Student Services provides a range of student support, information, guidance and development services across the University including wellbeing, counselling, disability, mental health, financial support and other key services delivered centrally. These teams work closely together (and with other sections of the university) to provide the best possible services to our students, to enhance the student experience, to help students achieve their full potential and to meet the strategic aims of the University. These services central to the student experience they are visible, seamless, effective and tailored to the needs of our student community. You will provide operational management to a large team of specialist support staff, and will manage and coordinate the delivery of a high volume and expert support service provided to disabled students via the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), in house provision and via partner providers. You will be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the service provision with a view to continuous improvement in the student experience, ensuring that the service is compliant to current Quality Assurance Framework (QAF) and that the support translates into measurable positive impacts upon student outcomes. This position is offered on a fixed-term basis to cover a period of maternity leave, with the contract due to end in February 2027. There may be the potential for the contract to be extended beyond this date, however this cannot be guaranteed. About You We are seeking a proactive, experienced disability support professional with strong leadership and service development skills. You’ll be passionate about inclusive practice, able to manage complex teams, and committed to enhancing student outcomes. A strategic thinker with operational expertise and a collaborative mindset is essential. You will have a strong track record of achieving results in a service environment and of striving to deliver services which exceed expectations and represent best practice. You will have demonstrable experience of effectively managing a team of specialist, professional and administrative staff in a complex organisation underpinned by an ability to manage and motivate staff in a dynamic environment. You will be adept at designing and implementing rigorous processes to maximise service effectiveness, including experience of effectively developing systems, policies and procedures in relation to disability. You will need to be able to prioritise tasks while working under pressure and have experience of scheduling complex activities to inform planning and decision making. Benefits Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata) Local Government Pension Scheme Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers Discounted onsite gym Holiday purchase Cycle to Work scheme A flexible working environment A commitment to personal and professional development Key Contact For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Sarah Richardson, Head of Student Services via For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via Important Information The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK. Please visit our website for more information. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and is therefore subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Any information you provide will be treated in confidence and only used when considering your suitability for the post. To enable us to process your DBS check please ensure you are able to supply the documentation listed on the DBS website at interview stage. The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern. Please find our Safeguarding pages including our Safeguarding Policy here .