At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape student welfare strategies, ensuring safety and support for all students.
- Company: Join a dynamic university committed to student wellbeing and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy 41 days of leave, flexible working, and a supportive culture focused on your growth.
- Other info: Diverse candidates are encouraged to apply; we value equality and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in student lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in safeguarding and crisis management is essential; strong leadership skills are a must.
The predicted salary is between 50253 - 58225 £ per year.
The Head of Advice & Response provides strategic leadership and senior oversight of the University’s Safeguarding and Residence Life Welfare Teams. The postholder leads, develops and embeds activity that will shape our institutional culture in relation to student welfare and safety, safeguarding, gender-based violence, harassment, hate crime and bullying, ensuring alignment with university priorities, sector expectations, and statutory duties. As a senior member of the Student Wellbeing Leadership Team, the postholder shapes policy, governance, and practice. They ensure the student-centred delivery of high-quality, trauma-informed, and legally compliant support, case management and welfare processes, including oversight of out of hours support for students in university residences.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership for the Advice & Response function, setting direction, priorities, and objectives aligned with university strategy, safeguarding duties, accommodation provision and sector expectations.
- Lead contributor shaping institutional approaches to student welfare and risk, contributing to policy development, governance frameworks, and long-term planning as part of the Student Wellbeing Leadership Team.
- Lead and develop the Advice & Response service, ensuring effective service delivery and standard operating procedures across the Safeguarding and Residence Life Welfare functions.
- Oversee governance and quality assurance in relation to case management and welfare processes, ensuring safe, consistent, and legally compliant practice.
- Ensure effective out of hours support in university residences, and promote proactive outreach, early intervention, and coordinated escalation pathways.
- Ensure effective partnership working across Student Wellbeing, particularly with the Head of Community Engagement, Education and Prevention, to inform preventative and community-based approaches which support and improve student wellbeing.
- Provide senior oversight of complex and high-risk cases, ensuring appropriate triage, escalation, and risk management responses, and offering expert advice to colleagues.
- Maintain strong partnerships with Security, Accommodation Services, Student Conduct and external agencies (e.g., Police Scotland, NHS, Social Work) to support safe and effective responses to student risk.
- Lead horizon scanning and risk identification, analysing sector developments, regulatory changes, and emerging patterns to inform preventative action and institutional planning.
- Design and implement service wide improvements that enhance student safety, operational efficiency, and the University’s ability to respond to emerging risks and case trends.
- Manage budgets and resources, ensuring value for money, effective capacity planning, and compliance with financial controls.
- Analyse performance data and case management insights to identify trends, risks, and opportunities, and develop action plans that improve outcomes and service performance.
- Ensure the competence, confidence and wellbeing of the Advice and Response team, including escalation confidence and supported decision making.
Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Knowledge/Qualifications
- Essential: A1 Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and management skills in a similar or number of different specialist roles.
- A2 Strong knowledge of safeguarding, mental health, sexual violence, harassment, misconduct, hate crime, and student risk management in higher education or a comparable setting.
- A3 Understanding of equality, diversity, and inclusion principles and relevant legislation.
- A4 Ability to work effectively with diverse communities and navigate complex organisational environments.
Desirable:
- B1 Registered with a statutory regulatory body for health or social care (e.g. HCPC NMC).
- B2 Qualified sexual violence advocate or advisor.
Skills
- Essential: C1 Strong leadership skills, with the ability to influence, engage, and support colleagues across organisational boundaries.
- C2 Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to handle sensitive and complex issues.
- C3 Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex information and make sound decisions.
- C4 Ability to lead change, generate new ideas, and drive service improvement.
- C5 Effective project, resource, and budget management skills.
- C6 Ability to coach and develop a team, building confidence, resilience and morale.
Experience
- Essential: E1 Significant experience managing complex, high-risk, or escalated cases, including safeguarding and crisis response activity within a large or complex organisation.
- E2 Experience leading service-wide or cross-institutional initiatives that deliver measurable improvements aligned with strategic priorities.
- E3 Demonstrable experience of influencing institutional policy, governance, or strategic decision-making through expert advice, data insight, or sector knowledge.
- E4 Experience working with external agencies such as police, health, or social care partners.
- E5 Strong risk assessment and case management experience in high risk or demanding environments.
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 8, £50,253 - £58,225 per annum. This post is full time and open ended. Closing date: 23:56 30th July 2026.
Benefits
A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared. An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension, benefits and discount packages. A flexible approach to working. A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Applications are particularly welcome from people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University.
Other Information
The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship. Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules.
Head of Advice & Response in Glasgow employer: University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises professional development and inclusivity. As a part-time Small Animal Oncology Clinician, you will benefit from a competitive salary, generous pension contributions, and the opportunity to engage in meaningful research while contributing to the education of future veterinary professionals in a vibrant academic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Advice & Response in Glasgow
✨Join HR Networks
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Advice & Response in Glasgow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at University of Glasgow. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to University of Glasgow and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at University of Glasgow. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to University of Glasgow's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Glasgow
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with University of Glasgow.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
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A full-time HR role at University of Glasgow will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
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Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact University of Glasgow and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
