Senior Director for Student Life

Position Overview: Senior Director for Student Life at Northeastern University London campus. Full‑time, permanent. Location: London, UK. Reports to the CEO in London and the Senior Vice Chancellor for Student Life in Boston. Salary: up to £90,000 per annum.

Benefits: The university supports staff maintaining a good work/life balance, offers flexible working, parental leave opportunities, an Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential advice on home and work concerns, optional private medical insurance, seasonal ticket loans, and a cycle‑to‑work scheme.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership and Implementation (30%): Implements the university’s strategic vision for Student Life on the London campus, adapting initiatives for local context, UK higher education practices, and student population needs. Works closely with the Senior Vice Chancellor in Boston on strategic planning, provides regular updates on London operations, collaborates with colleagues across Northeastern’s global network, represents Student Life on London campus committees, and develops local strategic priorities.
• Direct Supervision and Departmental Oversight (35%): Directly supervises the Director of Residence Services and Student Support and the Director of Student Engagement. Conducts one‑on‑one meetings, mentorship, performance evaluations, oversees budget development, approves departmental goals, and holds institutional accountability for the full Student Life portfolio.
• Student Advocacy and Campus Presence (20%): Maintains an active and visible presence on campus, fosters accessibility, advises students, resolves concerns, participates in student‑facing programmes, identifies opportunities to enhance engagement, and works collaboratively to generate solutions for emerging challenges.
• Cross‑Campus Collaboration and Integration (15%): Partners with London campus colleagues in Academic Affairs, Experiential Learning, and other units to create integrated student experiences, aligns initiatives with academic priorities, builds relationships with faculty and staff, connects students to global resources, represents London perspective in network‑wide planning, serves on the on‑call rotation for critical incidents, and develops emergency protocols.

UK Regulatory and Compliance Responsibilities: Senior Director holds institutional responsibility for compliance with UK statutory and regulatory frameworks: OfS registration conditions (B3, E6, Access), Prevent duty, safeguarding legislation, OfSTED for degree apprenticeships, Clery Act reporting, Working Time Regulations 1998 for on‑call arrangements.

Person Specification Criteria:

• Terminal degree (PhD, EdD, JD) (D)
• Master’s Degree (E)
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience designing and delivering programmes that support student development (E)
• A proven record of success enhancing a sophisticated portfolio of student life programmes at a college or university (E)
• Experience leading and developing staff (E)
• Experience with UK, American, and/or international higher education contexts (E)
• Knowledge of UK higher education regulatory frameworks, including OfS registration conditions (particularly B3, E6), Prevent duty, safeguarding legislation, and OfSTED for degree apprenticeships (D)
• Familiarity with Clery Act reporting obligations for a US‑regulated institution (D)
• Strategic thinking and planning skills; strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication; ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, administrators, and students (E)