Senior Student Housing Officer in Portsmouth

The University of Portsmouth is a global employer of choice where exceptional people create, share and apply knowledge that makes a difference. Experience the pride of being part of a select group — one of only four universities in the south-east of England to achieve a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework. We also rank among the top 140 universities globally in the Times Higher Young University World Rankings. Our ambition, responsibility and openness drive our endeavours. We value people, innovation and achievement.

An opportunity has arisen for a proactive and positive team player to join the busy Student Housing service, helping to provide an excellent advisory and support service to a wide range of customers including students, parents, landlords and members of the local community. This role will involve assisting the Deputy Head of Student Housing in the development and day-to-day running of the Student Housing service, setting a high standard of customer service, and ensuring that enquiries and accommodation applications are dealt with efficiently and effectively. The successful applicant will have excellent customer service and data processing skills with proven office and supervisory experience in a busy customer-focused environment. Diplomacy and the ability to respond positively, accurately and flexibly while working under pressure are essential. They will also be a confident public speaker with experience in preparing and delivering presentations to large and diverse groups to help promote the service.

It is anticipated that this role will have a particular focus on coordinating appropriate accommodation support for students with additional requirements, requiring excellent communication and interpersonal skills to liaise closely with students and support services to ensure allocated accommodation meets assessed needs.

This is a full-time, on-site role requiring some working outside core hours on evenings and weekends throughout the year to support University events, particularly during August and September when there are restrictions on taking annual leave. Flexibility around this is required.

This appointment is a fixed-term contract until 30 April 2027 (or the earlier return of the substantive post holder) to cover a period of maternity leave. For internal candidates, it may be possible to apply under the Secondment Policy. If applying as a secondee, you must have prior approval from your line manager. Please confirm in your application that your line manager has approved this.

Responsibilities:

• Assist the Deputy Head of Student Housing in developing and running the Student Housing service; maintain high standards of customer service.
• Handle enquiries and accommodation applications promptly and efficiently.
• Coordinate accommodation support for students with additional requirements; liaise with students and support services to ensure needs are met.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to large and diverse groups to promote the service.
• Respond positively, accurately and flexibly under pressure in a busy, open-plan environment.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Strong customer service and data processing skills.
• Proven office and supervisory experience in a busy customer-focused environment.
• Diplomacy and effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Confidence in public speaking and presenting to diverse groups.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as required.

Benefits and Additional Information:

• Competitive salary with incremental progression within the scale.
• Generous pension scheme; generous leave entitlement of 32-35 days a year, plus bank holidays and Christmas closure.
• Family-friendly policies supporting flexible working.
• Staff discounts, loyalty schemes and parking/discounted travel.
• Excellent training and development opportunities; staff wellbeing programmes.
• Recreation facilities, including discounted gym membership and various campus benefits.

New appointments are typically made at the entry spine point for the advertised grade. Progression through the pay range occurs with annual cost-of-living increases. A higher starting salary or market supplement may be available for exceptional candidates when justified.

Prior to submitting your application, ensure you have the right to work in the UK. If you do not, our offer of employment is conditional upon obtaining it.

We are committed to upholding the University's values of being ambitious, open and responsible in an inclusive working environment that promotes dignity and respect. Please note that this vacancy may close earlier than advertised, so early applications are advised.