Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager in Manchester

Lead and Enhance Student Mental Health & Wellbeing Services. The University of Greater Manchester is seeking an experienced and motivated professional to join our Student Services & Experience team as Student Mental Health & Wellbeing Manager. This is a key role responsible for leading and developing high-quality, responsive mental health, wellbeing, and disability & Inclusion services that enable students to thrive academically and personally. You will play a central role in shaping inclusive, evidence-informed provision that meets the needs of an increasingly diverse student population.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of Student Support and Wellbeing, you will provide both managerial and operational leadership for a fast-paced, multidisciplinary service, overseeing the Student Mental Health & Wellbeing Service and Disability & Inclusion Service. You will lead a team delivering a range of interventions, ensuring students receive timely, appropriate, and high-quality support, while maintaining strong governance, safeguarding, and compliance standards. This role requires the ability to balance service demand, waiting times, and risk, while driving continuous improvement and innovation in delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Student Mental Health & Wellbeing and Disability & Inclusion Services, ensuring accessible, responsive, and high-quality provision.
• Provide direction and operational oversight of mental health, wellbeing, and disability support services.
• Ensure services are aligned with the University’s Student Mental Health & Wellbeing Strategy and Access and Participation Plan.
• Manage service demand and student throughput, including waiting lists, triage, and onward referrals to appropriate services.
• Act as Deputy Safeguarding Officer, supporting safeguarding referrals, risk management, and Prevent responsibilities.
• Lead on crisis response, including students at risk, mental health emergencies, and post-incident support.
• Use data and insight to monitor performance, evaluate impact, and inform service development and continuous improvement.
• Maintain professional standards and governance, ensuring staff work within recognised clinical and ethical frameworks.
• Build strong relationships across the University and externally, contributing to multi-agency and sector partnerships.
• Lead on innovation in service delivery, including digital tools, systems, and new models of support.

About You

You will be a skilled and compassionate leader with experience of managing mental health, wellbeing, and disability & inclusion services in Higher Education or a related educational setting. You will demonstrate:

• Significant experience of managing student-facing or comparable services, including multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong knowledge of mental health, safeguarding, disability & Inclusion, and relevant legislation.
• Experience of managing clinical risk, complex cases, and service demand in a high-pressure environment.
• Ability to lead service development and drive continuous improvement, using data and insight to inform decision-making.
• Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across professional and academic services.
• A strong commitment to inclusion, equality, and culturally responsive practice.
• A relevant degree is essential, alongside a professional qualification in counselling, mental health, or equivalent experience (postgraduate qualification or accreditation desirable).

Why Join Us?

At the University of Greater Manchester, we are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment where all students can succeed. We offer:

• The opportunity to lead and shape impactful student support services.
• A collaborative and forward-thinking working environment.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• A comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave and pension scheme.

Please note this role is subject to an enhanced DBS check. The University of Greater Manchester is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Successful applicants will be required to prove their right to work in the UK prior to the commencement of their employment. Whilst the University of Greater Manchester is a licensed sponsor, under UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) not all roles are eligible for visa sponsorship. This position may not meet the criteria for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). Eligibility will be assessed in line with the Home Office requirements at the time of making the offer.