Head of Student Support and Wellbeing

Birkbeck University of London; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 64,000 - GBP 72,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in London is seeking a dynamic Head of Student Support & Wellbeing to lead specialist services supporting student wellbeing, inclusion, and mental health. This senior role requires strong leadership skills and the ability to shape policies around student safety. Responsibilities include overseeing multiple teams and responding to student crises. The position offers a salary of £64,290 full-time with a flexible hybrid working pattern. Applications are welcome from diverse backgrounds.

Qualifications

• Experience in a student-facing environment.
• Ability to create a safe and inclusive environment.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead specialist services for student wellbeing and inclusion.
• Develop strategies for mental health support.
• Oversee multi-team responses to student crises.

Skills

Student wellbeing expertise

Leadership

Policy development

Collaborative working

Job description

Overview

Are you an inspiring leader with a passion for student wellbeing, inclusion, and safeguarding? Birkbeck, University of London, is seeking a dynamic Head of Student Support & Wellbeing to lead a group of specialist services that play a vital role in supporting our diverse student community.

In this senior leadership role, you will shape and deliver our strategic approach to mental health, disability, counselling, safeguarding, and inclusion. You will have operational responsibility for our multi-team response to student crises, and you will champion a whole‑university approach to student wellbeing. You will also take a leading role in our University Mental Health Charter application and support the ongoing development of institutional policies.

You will lead teams responsible for mental health, counselling, disability support, safeguarding, and inclusion, and also oversee budgets and financial planning related to wellbeing and disability funding.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop specialist services within the Education and Student Experience Directorate to support student wellbeing, inclusion, safeguarding, and mental health.
• Shape and deliver the strategic approach to mental health, disability, counselling, safeguarding, and inclusion across the university.
• Hold operational responsibility for the multi‑team response to student crises and champion a whole‑university approach to wellbeing.
• Lead the University Mental Health Charter application and support the development of institutional policies related to wellbeing and inclusion.
• Oversee teams in mental health, counselling, disability support, safeguarding, and inclusion, including budgets and financial planning for related funding.
• Support frontline staff, promoting professional development and collaborative work with academic and administrative colleagues to enable students to thrive.

Qualifications and experience

• Demonstrable experience in a student‑facing environment and a good understanding of how disabilities or mental health conditions impact students’ experience.
• Experience of safeguarding or creating a safe and inclusive environment for students, and the ability to challenge policy and find solutions.
• Strong leadership and people management skills to guide multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Ability to operate with compassion and clarity, and to work collaboratively with academic and admin colleagues.
• Willingness to engage with policy development and organisational change initiatives.

Salary, contract and how to apply

• Salary: £64,290 rising to £71,792 per annum. Grade 9 on the College’s London Pay Scale, including a consolidated London Weighting Allowance.
• Contract: Permanent, full‑time (35 hours per week), Monday–Friday 10:00–18:00 with a flexible and hybrid working pattern (three days on site).
• Application: Please submit a CV and a statement for consideration.
• Closing date: 23 February 2026. Interview date: 11 March 2026. The role requires a DBS check.
• Enquiries: Kirsty Palmer, Interim Head of Student Wellbeing Services, [e-mail]. For recruitment portal support, contact [e-mail]. Only formal applications through the online system will be considered.
• We welcome applicants from all sections of the community and backgrounds to apply. The College is committed to improving the gender and cultural diversity of its workforce and operates diversity schemes.