Head Porter

Head Porter

Final date to receive applications: 7 August 2026

Department: Domestic Bursary

Employment Type: Permanent
- Full Time

Location: Brasenose College

Reporting To: Domestic Bursar

Compensation: £39,594 - £47,949 / year

The Head Porter is responsible for lodge, Safety & Facility, playing a central, highly visible role in the daily life of Brasenose College. Based in and responsible for the Lodge as the primary student‑facing gateway to the College, the postholder ensures that the College operates as a safe, supportive, well‑run, and welcoming academic community.

The role combines leadership of the Lodge and front‑of‑house services, active engagement in student welfare and pastoral support, and oversight of daily maintenance activities on site, underpinned by sound safety and security functions across the College estate. The responsibilities all serve to ensure the continuation of an open and welcoming college for our wider college community, particularly our students.

The postholder will be a trusted, calm, and authoritative presence, contributing to student wellbeing, supporting the Dean and welfare team, and ensuring that the Lodge is a place where students, staff, fellows, alumni, and visitors experience professionalism, discretion, and care. The role requires excellent judgement, strong interpersonal skills, and a deep understanding of collegiate life, alongside operational competence.

Please note this role will have a multi-stage interview process.

• Lead and manage the Lodge as a 24/7 student-facing operation, ensuring a consistently professional, supportive, and inclusive service Conduct and maintain risk assessments within area of responsibility
• Act as a key point of pastoral contact, particularly out of hours, responding appropriately to student concerns and incidents
• Build trusted relationships with students through day‑to‑day interaction, visibility, and approachability
• Support the Dean and welfare teams with minor disciplinary, behavioural, and welfare matters, escalating appropriately
• Ensure Lodge staff are trained and confident in responding to welfare concerns, emergencies, and sensitive situations
• Maintain strict confidentiality and exercise sound judgement in line with College and University guidance
• Contribute to a sense of safety, belonging, and community within the College

• Support the Dean with minor disciplinary and behavioural matters
• Build positive relationships with students and staff to support College community
• Act as liaison between welfare teams and the Domestic Bursary
• Escalate serious welfare concerns in line with college policy
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with university guidance

• Lead health & safety compliance across the day to day running of college
• Ensure the required compliance for legionella control and asbestos management documents and updated information is readily available within the lodge, ensuring regular audits and controls have taken place.
• Conduct and maintain risk assessments
• Record and report accidents, incidents, and near misses to the Health & Safety Committee, report regularly on safety and security to the committee.
• Liaise with the Domestic Bursar and departmental managers on inspections and audits

• Manage all fire safety arrangements across the estate, planned evacuations and record keeping
• Implement and monitor fire safety systems, equipment checks, and remedial actions
• Develop, review, and maintain emergency procedures (e.g. fire and evacuation plans)
• Undertake fire risk assessments and liaise with Fire Service and external advisors

• Oversee security arrangements across all College sites
• Implement and review crime prevention measures
• Manage operational aspects of CCTV (technical elements managed by IT)
• Maintain security systems including Salto access control and physical keys (with IT support)
• Investigate incidents in liaison with the Dean, senior staff, HR, and external authorities where required

• Oversee and line manage the lodge manager/supervisor.
• Work closely with both…