Head of Student Support and Wellbeing

Overview

Are you an inspiring leader with a passion for student wellbeing, inclusion, and safeguarding? Birkbeck, University of London, is seeking a dynamic Head of Student Support & Wellbeing to lead a group of specialist services that play a vital role in supporting our diverse student community.

• Shape and deliver the strategic approach to mental health, disability, counselling, safeguarding, and inclusion.
• Operational responsibility for the multi-team response to student crises and champion a whole‑university approach to student wellbeing.
• Take a leading role in the University Mental Health Charter application and support the ongoing development of institutional policies.
• Lead teams responsible for mental health, counselling, disability support, safeguarding, and inclusion; oversee budgets and financial planning related to wellbeing and disability funding.
• Collaborate with academic and admin colleagues to support students to thrive and support frontline staff to demonstrate professional capabilities.

Demonstrable experience in a student-facing environment, and a good understanding of how disabilities or mental health conditions impact students’ experience. Experience of safeguarding, or creating a safe and inclusive environment for students, and the ability to challenge policy and find solutions.

Salary and benefits: £64,290 rising to £71,792 per annum. Grade 9 on the College's London Pay Scale which includes a consolidated London Weighting Allowance.

Benefits of working at Birkbeck: a competitive salary and pension scheme, 31 days paid leave, flexible working arrangements, generous benefits in the HE sector, and being located in the heart of Bloomsbury, Euston, London.

Contract:

Permanent, full-time (35 hours a week), Monday–Friday 10:00–18:00 with a flexible and hybrid working pattern — three days on site. Closing date: 23 February 2026; interview date: 11 March 2026. The role requires a DBS check.

Enquiries:
If you would like to know more about the role, please contact Kirsty Palmer, Interim Head of Student Wellbeing Services,

If you have difficulty using the recruitment portal, please contact  providing your name and the job reference number of the position. While we are happy to respond to all informal enquiries, only formal applications through the online system will be considered.

We welcome applicants from all sections of the community and backgrounds to apply  The College is committed to improving the gender and cultural diversity of its workforce, holding an Athena SWAN award and operating Disability Confident & Mindful Employer schemes.