Head of Accommodation Services - Glasgow, United Kingdom - University of Glasgow

University of Glasgow

Verified Company

Glasgow, United Kingdom

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

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Description

Job Purpose

The Head of Accommodation is responsible for providing strategic leadership and direction of the Accommodation Service, and to lead a team responsible for delivering a professional and effective function to enhance the student experience via direct management of University of Glasgow (UofG) retained residences, and through relationship management with contracted partners and other nominated private providers for all University offered bed spaces.

The post holder will be accountable for legislative compliance, focused on enhancing the University's reputation and lead the development and delivery of Accommodation Services strategy, policy, and operational performance across the accommodation portfolio.

The post holder will also contribute to the wider Commercial Services Directorate strategy delivery as a key member of the senior leadership team.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Provide overall strategic leadership of the UofG portfolio of c.3,500 owned student rooms and c.2,200 beds under the University's provision as part of nominations agreements with private accommodation providers.
Accountable for the development and operationalisation of the University's Residential Strategy, accounting for longer term demand and legislative implications, working in conjunction with Estates Directorate colleagues. Ultimately responsible for achieving all income, contribution and expenditure targets to deliver a budgeted surplus for the University.
Lead, motivate and develop staff effectively within Accommodation Services, ensuring high performing, cohesive and collaborative working within a diverse group of professionals, providing a variety of services including allocations, accommodation management, residential catering and ancillary services.
Development and implementation of effective procedures to improve quality and effectiveness, utilising customer feedback to implement exceptional standards of service in line with Accommodation, Directorate and University strategy.
Use specialist knowledge and experience to evaluate service delivery and identify improvements or effective ways of delivering services, as well as ensuring good operating practice within University managed sites. Identify and implement necessary policy and procedural change to ensure legislative compliance and to reflect good practice and the changing internal and external environment.
Lead the monitoring of service level standards in the c.2,600 bed spaces managed by Sanctuary Students, liaising and interfacing with Sanctuary Students personnel on all operational matters and ensuring adherence to contractual agreements.
Responsibility for ensuring the University is compliant with its legal and other obligations as a landlord. This includes providing advice on Health & Safety, National Codes of Practice, Professional Standards and Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 and related legislation (incl. HMO licensing). This involves the development of policy and liaising with Building Control, Environmental Health, Licensing Section of Glasgow City Council and key personnel from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to manage and mitigate potential risk across relevant operations.
Accountable for overall budgetary control within Accommodation Services via the management of budgets for each residence to achieve income and expenditure targets. All financial transactions should comply with the University's purchasing policies and financial regulation.
Develop, in conjunction with the Estates Directorate, Accommodation Services Health & Safety policies and procedures for legislative compliance and to ensure monitoring and testing is carried out in accordance with procedures.
Responsible for developing business continuity plans and ensuring emergency plans are equipped to deal with major incidents, linking in with other stakeholders in the University as required.
As strategic lead, work with colleagues to deliver planned maintenance works and refurbishment programmes to a high standard, within budget and with mínimal impact on students and commercial business. This includes the development and monitoring of a proactive life cycle maintenance plan for the UofG retained properties in line with the programme delivered by the Sanctuary-managed sites.
Responsibility for working proactively with third party providers in the event of shortfalls in accommodation provision and drawing up associated contracts within tight timescales to ensure consistency of residential experience.
Acting as University representative in Licensing Court proceedings to effectively manage operational and reputational risk. When necessary, liaise with elected members and council officials to neutralise potential threats to granting licenses.
Overall accountability for the effective partnership working with third party providers, such as Kinetics or Optify, and for the development of IT within the accommodation service.
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