Head of Student Basic Needs and Partnerships
Who are we?
We are Manchester Students’ Union, the biggest SU in the country, supporting over 40,000 students throughout their time at university. We help to make student life the best it can be by supporting students to campaign for change, creating opportunities to meet new people, providing employment opportunities, providing advice and support and being a safe place on campus.
We are a values-centred organisation that employs around 90 permanent, full-time members of staff. We recruit a wide range of roles throughout the year within all our departments from our Commercial team operating Manchester Academy Venues, 13 Media, Bar 532 & Kitchen and Corridor Coffee to our Student Activities, Student Engagement, Marketing and Communications, Finance, HR and Facilities teams. Our team of around 400 part-time, studying staff are instrumental in providing to support to all departments as well as leading major projects like Student Angels. When you join UMSU, you’ll be immersed in an environment that empowers staff to make great things happen and we're always on the lookout for innovative, passionate, and proactive people to join us.
Our values are really important to us and shape the work that we do every day. As part of our recruitment process, we want you to demonstrate how your experiences, behaviours and skills align with our values. You can find more detailed explanations of our values on our website.
About the role
Are you passionate about supporting student wellbeing and creating impactful partnerships? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you! We are looking for an experienced and motivated individual to join our team as the Head of Student Basic Needs and Partnerships at the University of Manchester Students' Union. In this key leadership role, you will help shape and deliver vital support services that ensure students can thrive both academically and personally during their time at university.
At the University of Manchester Students’ Union, we are dedicated to making student life the best it can be. With over 40,000 students, we provide opportunities, support, and services that empower students to succeed. As the Head of Student Basic Needs and Partnerships, you will be at the forefront of this mission, leading the strategic development of our Support and Wellbeing Hub. This Hub addresses the core needs of students, including financial stability, housing, mental health, and food security, to ensure that no student is left behind.
In this role, you will lead the day-to-day operations of the Hub, managing budgets, staff, and resources to deliver high-quality, student-centred services. You will also build and maintain key partnerships with both internal university departments and external organisations, such as local charities and housing services, to enhance the support available to students. Collaboration and innovation are central to this position, and we’re looking for someone who can proactively address the challenges students face today—whether that’s rising living costs, mental health concerns, or housing insecurity. As Head of Student Basic Needs and Partnerships, you will be a strategic voice in policy discussions and decision-making processes that shape the future of student wellbeing at the University.
The ideal candidate will have strong experience in student support, wellbeing, or partnership development, combined with excellent leadership, communication, and strategic planning skills. You will be a natural problem-solver with a track record of advocating for student needs, and you will bring a solutions-focused approach to managing crises and operational challenges. A background in budget management, service delivery, and working with diverse stakeholders is essential. You should also be committed to embedding equity and diversity into all aspects of your work.
This is a full-time, fixed-term 12 month role with a possibility of extension, offering a salary band of £35,800-£40,000. The Head of Student Basic Needs and Partnerships will primarily be based on-site at the Students' Union, with options for hybrid working where possible. You’ll be working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with a dedicated and supportive team that values personal development, well-being, and continuous improvement.
We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply, whether or not your experience is within the university sector or student services. As long as you are open to learning, willing to research, and have the relevant skills to lead and collaborate effectively, we would love to hear from you.
Details
Salary: £35,800-£40,000
Contract: 12 Months Fixed-Term (with the possibility of an extension)
Hours: 35 hours per week
Our Reward Package
You'll get access to our reward package which you can see here.
Recruitment Guide
We have a guide that explains our full recruitment process. We recommend reading through this before beginning an application.
If you are invited to interview with us, we will share our interview questions in advance so you can prepare your responses. We’re more interested in hearing about your experiences and ideas than in testing your memory, and so we want you to feel as prepared as possible.
Inclusivity and Accessibility
We are committed to equality of opportunity, and we work hard to ensure we appoint based on skill and values.
We particularly encourage applications from Disabled or Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African candidates as these groups are currently underrepresented in our staff team.
If you have any accessibility requirements or require adjustments to support you to apply to work with us, please get in touch. We can offer reasonable adjustments at all stages of our recruitment process.
Recruitment Timeline
Applications opened: 14th October 2024
Applications close: 30th October 2024 23:59
Interviews:
1st Stage - 6th November 2024
2nd Stage - 15th November 2024
Role Commencing: December/January
We may close applications early if we receive a high volume of applications. We recommend that you apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. In this case, all applicants who have started an application will be contacted 2 hours before we close the role.
Contact
People Team:
You can contact the People Team with any questions regarding this vacancy or our recruitment process.
Email: jobs.su@manchester.ac.uk
Phone: 0161 306 3279
Hiring Manager:
You can contact the hiring manager with any questions regarding this vacancy or our recruitment process.
Email: agne.rimkute@manchester.ac.uk