At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and enhance student support services, ensuring every student thrives at LCCM.
- Company: Join the London College of Contemporary Music, a vibrant hub for creativity and learning.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, training opportunities, and employee wellbeing programmes.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while shaping the future of education.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading student services and a passion for student success is essential.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 € per year.
The Head of Student Services is the strategic and operational lead for all student-facing support services at LCCM. This senior role holds overall responsibility for student services, including student welfare, disability support, wellbeing, engagement, attendance, retention, and the wider student lifecycle. The postholder will line-manage the Student Services, Student Success team and Disability and Wellbeing provision. They will work closely with academic leadership, quality teams and senior management to embed student support services into institutional strategy, regulatory compliance and student outcomes. This role is central to meeting regulatory expectations (including OfS Condition B3), driving continuation and success, and ensuring that every student feels supported, included and able to thrive.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership of Student Services: Provide institution-wide leadership for all student services, including wellbeing, disability support, safeguarding, engagement, attendance and retention. Set and deliver a clear strategic vision for student support aligned to institutional priorities, regulatory requirements and student outcomes. Act as the senior escalation point for complex, high-risk or crisis student cases. Contribute to institutional strategy, Academic Board and relevant committees as the lead for student services.
- Line Management & Service Leadership: Line-manage the Student Services, Student Success and Disability and Wellbeing provision, providing clear direction, performance oversight and professional development. Lead on service planning, resourcing, workload management and service development across all student services functions. Ensure that student services staff operate to consistent, high-quality standards.
- Student Wellbeing, Disability & Safeguarding: Hold overall institutional responsibility for student wellbeing, disability support and safeguarding. Ensure that inclusive practice, reasonable adjustments and access support are embedded across the student journey. Oversee relationships with external wellbeing, counselling and specialist support services. Act as (or oversee) the institutional Designated Safeguarding Lead function.
- Student Engagement, Attendance & Retention: Lead on institutional approaches to student engagement, early intervention, attendance monitoring and retention. Oversee student tracking systems, dashboards and case management processes. Drive continuous improvement in continuation, progression and student success outcomes. Embed proactive and preventative support models.
- Student Lifecycle & Experience: Provide strategic oversight of induction, enrolment, progression, assessment support and graduation touchpoints. Ensure that the student voice is effectively captured through surveys, focus groups and representation structures. Lead on student engagement strategy, belonging and community development.
- Data, Compliance & Reporting: Oversee the collection, integrity and use of student services data including attendance, engagement, wellbeing and safeguarding. Ensure compliance with data protection, safeguarding, disability legislation and regulatory expectations. Produce high-quality reports for senior leadership on student support performance, risk and outcomes.
- Cross-College Collaboration: Work in close partnership with academic teams, quality, registry, admissions and operations. Ensure that student services activity is fully aligned with teaching, assessment and programme delivery. Represent LCCM in external forums related to student support where required.
Qualifications & Experience
- Essential: An undergraduate degree or equivalent professional experience. Significant experience leading and managing student support services within higher education. Experience line-managing managers. Experience of leading service improvement and organisational change. Strong track record in improving student outcomes, engagement and retention.
- Desirable: A PGCE or equivalent teaching qualification (or willingness to work towards one). A master’s degree in a relevant subject. Qualifications in safeguarding, mental health or a coaching qualification. Experience within music, creative arts or specialist providers. Experience of external partnership working for wellbeing and support services.
Knowledge & Skill
- Essential: Proven senior leadership experience within student services or student support in higher education. Strong knowledge of wellbeing, disability support, safeguarding and inclusion in higher education. Excellent data literacy with the ability to analyse and interpret student engagement and retention data. Strong knowledge of student engagement, success and retention strategies. Outstanding communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills. Proven ability to manage complex student cases and crisis situations.
- Desirable: Knowledge of creative arts or music education environments. Experience of regulatory compliance (OfS, QAA, B3 conditions).
About You
- Strong commitment to student success, inclusion and wellbeing.
- High levels of professional integrity and discretion.
- Calm, decisive and confident under pressure.
- Strategic thinker with strong operational delivery.
- Highly collaborative and values-led.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary
- 25 days annual leave
- Pension – 5% personal contribution and 3% company contribution
- Season Ticket Loan (T&C's apply)
- Vision Express Eye Care Vouchers
- Training & Development opportunities (T&C's apply)
- Staff Discount Scheme via My Rewards Hub (various retailers)
- Refer a friend scheme for staff (T&C's apply)
- Social events on campus and through GUS Social Committee
- Professional development opportunities, including training and career progression pathways
- Employee wellbeing programmes and access to counselling services.
Diversity Statement
We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Head of Student Services employer: LCCM
At the London College of Contemporary Music (LCCM), we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that prioritises student success and wellbeing. Our vibrant work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, offering extensive professional development opportunities and a supportive environment for our staff. Located in the heart of London, our campus provides unique advantages, including access to a diverse community and a range of employee benefits designed to enhance work-life balance and personal growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Student Services
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at LCCM on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the role and the culture, plus it might just get our foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching LCCM's values and recent initiatives. We want to show that we’re not just a good fit for the role, but also for the institution’s mission and vision.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend to do a mock interview with us. This will help us articulate our experience and how it aligns with the responsibilities of the Head of Student Services.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after the interview! A quick thank-you email can keep us fresh in their minds and shows our enthusiasm for the position. Plus, it’s just good manners!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Student Services
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Student Services role. Highlight your experience in student support services and how it aligns with our mission at LCCM. We want to see how you can contribute to our strategic vision!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:This role is all about leading teams and driving student success. Use your application to demonstrate your leadership experience, especially in managing student services. Share specific examples of how you've improved student outcomes in the past.
Be Data Savvy:We love data! Make sure to mention your experience with data analysis and reporting in your application. Show us how you've used data to enhance student engagement and retention – it’s a key part of the role!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the position. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at LCCM
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand the role of Head of Student Services. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities, especially around student wellbeing, engagement, and retention. Being able to discuss how you would lead these areas will show your commitment and expertise.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of your previous leadership experiences, particularly in managing teams and driving service improvements. Highlight specific instances where you've successfully improved student outcomes or implemented strategic changes in student services.
✨Be Data Savvy
Since data literacy is crucial for this role, be ready to discuss how you've used data to inform decisions in past positions. Bring examples of how you've analysed student engagement or retention data to drive improvements in services.
✨Engage with the Student Voice
Demonstrate your understanding of the importance of capturing student feedback. Prepare to discuss strategies you've used to engage students and how you've incorporated their voices into service development. This shows that you value inclusivity and community.
