"Deputy Manager, Disability Service"

Newcastle University - Student Wellbeing Service

We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

The Role

The Student Wellbeing Service is seeking to appoint an exceptional candidate to the post of Deputy Manager. Reporting to and working closely with the Manager of the Disability Team, you will play a pivotal role in the effective operational and team management of the service.

The role requires strong line management skills to lead and support staff, oversee daily operations, and uphold service standards. You will also form a key part of the senior escalation process, offering expert advice to internal and external colleagues and students in complex or high-risk situations, ensuring responsive, informed, and legally compliant decision-making. This includes contributing to the delivery of high-quality support that meets the University's statutory obligations, ensuring appropriate guidance, reasonable adjustments, and tailored support for students with disabilities, including those with mental health challenges.

A central aspect of the role involves line management of Disability Practitioners; supporting them to remove barriers to success for students with disabilities and co-occurring conditions, to ensure these students experience equitable access to all aspects of university life - including learning, teaching, assessment, accommodation, and additional support. The post holder will also promote a positive, respectful, and inclusive culture team culture that supports team cohesion and student access, progression, and retention.

The role will involve close operational collaboration with the Students' Union, university departments, and key external stakeholders to support strategic priorities and ensure compliance with legal and sector obligations regarding disabled students.

As visible leadership is key to the success of this post, it is primarily campus-based, with the potential for some home working once the role is fully embedded.

The role is campus-based. There may be occasional flexible hybrid working dependent on service need. The fixed working hours are Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. The post is full-time, permanent.

We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds. We are a Disability Confident employer which means that we offer an interview to any applicant applying under the scheme that meets the essential criteria for a role.

If you are interested in applying and would like an informal chat about the role, please contact Sandy Alden by email sandy.alden@ncl.ac.uk. You can also find further information about the Student Wellbeing Service online. Previous applicants need not apply.

To apply please upload CV and cover letter evidencing how you meet the essential criteria as described within the person specification of the job description (available on the university's website, accessed by the 'Apply' button). Please also provide answers to the 3 mandatory application questions.

Qualifications

• A recognised degree or equivalent qualification and/or experience.
• A relevant professional Qualification such as Advice and Guidance or Autism practice, registered Nurse Mental Health/ Social Worker/ Occupational Therapist etc.