Disability Support Team Manager

Overview

Disability Support Team Manager -We are looking to recruit a Disability Support Team Manager working within the Student Disability Service, part of the Student Life Division. The Student Disability Service team provides information, advice and support services to disabled students and practical advice to staff who are working with disabled students. We also provide information and advice to prospective students and applicants.

We are looking for an individual with experience of managing professional teams in a client focused setting. You should have experience of supporting disabled people and of working within a regulatory framework, establishing effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. The role is eligible to be offered on a blended working basis. The University is committed to offering this flexibility, wherever the role and business need allows, supporting work-life balance.

The role is full time (35 hours per week) and open ended. Salary: £41,064 – £46,049 per annum (Grade 6).

Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 37 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), pro rata for part time staff, local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments up the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.

Date advert posted: Thursday, 23 October 2025. Closing date: Thursday, 6 November 2025.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We also consider flexible working or job share arrangements where possible.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Key Duties

• Manage the operation of the Disability Support Team, planning, organising and delegating work, monitoring progress and intervening as required
• Contribute to the long-term management of the Student Disability Service, interpreting directorate strategies and relevant regulations into work priorities and support the budget management of the services
• Manage, lead, and motivate the team providing a clear vision of what is to be achieved, engendering a commitment to delivering high quality customer focused services and a culture of continuous improvement and collaborative working
• Support and guide team members in welfare issues, escalating as necessary to specialist support areas
• Ensure the delivery of the team’s service level agreements and compliance with regulatory criteria, adapting these according to changes in workload and stakeholders’ requirements
• Develop networks across the department, University and external organisations to ensure the success of the team’s regulatory responsibilities, objectives and long-term plans
• Make recommendations for developments of processes, procedures and service delivery
• Undertake the training of others in areas relating to the team’s work
• Undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance
• Provide high level professional support, investigate, and analyse data to inform decisions, establishing basic trends and patterns in data and creating reports as appropriate

General Duties

• Ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties
• Abide by University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity
• Perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role

Person Specification

Important Notice

• It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable.
• As part of the application process you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement.
• Please ensure that the evidence you are providing corresponds with the numbered criteria outlined below.
• Your application will be considered based on the information you provide under each element.

• When attaching the supporting statement to your application profile, please ensure that you name it with the vacancy reference number, e.g. Supporting Statement for 20751BR

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education

• Degree/NVQ 4 or equivalent work-related experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Substantial experience of managing multiple professional teams, including budget management, that deliver diverse services
• Experience of working in a higher education or similar environment supporting people with a range of disabilities
• Proven experience in developing new processes and procedures, using appropriate administrative systems, and working to regulatory requirements

Customer Service, Communication and Team Working

• Ability to communicate detailed and complex information effectively and professionally to a wide range of people
• Proven ability to develop networks in order to contribute to long term developments
• Experience of dealing with performance and welfare issues
• Evidence of ability to explore customers’ needs and adapt the service accordingly to ensure a quality service is delivered.

Planning, Analysis and Problem solving

• Evidence of ability to solve problems using initiative and creativity; using detailed understanding of methodologies to select the right approach
• Evidence of ability to plan the work of a team, over extended time periods, reacting to changes in workload and priority

Desirable

• Degree or an equivalent professional qualification in a disability related discipline
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and student funding regulations
• Experience of working within student support
• Fluency in Welsh, written and oral

Salary Range Min.: 41,064

Salary Range Max.: 46,049

Job Category: Management & Executive

Grade: Grade 6