Senior Accommodation Officer

Buckinghamshire New University
February 05, 2025
Contact:N/A
Offerd Salary:£33,232 - £36,924
Location:N/A
Working address:N/A
Contract Type:Other
Working Time:Full time
Working type:N/A
Ref info:N/A
Senior Accommodation Officer

Full Time – Permanent – High Wycombe

Salary - £33,232 - £36,924

Buckinghamshire New University is an ambitious, modern university that is always open to fresh ideas and thinking. We believe in the transformative power of education, and in doing the right thing by our students, people and local community. That's why our BNU community is a special place to work and study, and where people who want to make a difference can contribute and succeed.

Our University's DRIVE values and are at the heart of all that we do. We are united in being dynamic, responsible, inclusive, visionary and empowering to ensure that we provide the best experience to our learners and offer excellent service to our partners and to each other as colleagues. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and they are central to our mission. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries and we are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that you require.

The Senior Accommodation Officer will ensure the effective and professional operation of the Accommodation Service, directly managing the Accommodation Administrator and Senior Residents to support both halls and private sector residents. This role involves overseeing customer service, managing digital presence, handling feedback and complaints, and addressing welfare and discipline issues in halls. The Senior Accommodation Officer will also build relationships with local accommodation providers, represent the service at events, and ensure compliance with relevant legislation

What we offer:

  • a generous holiday entitlement (30 days per annum, plus bank holidays & closure days)
  • Hybrid working (dependant on business needs)
  • training & development support opportunities
  • contributory pension scheme
  • discounted gym membership for our on-site gym
  • a range of staff discounts with major retailers.
  • Please click here to see our wide range of benefits available for employees. Please click here for our behavioural based interview question bank. Please click here to view our employee handbook.

    If you have the qualities and attributes representative of the University's values and ambition, we would be delighted to hear from you.

    For further information about this role please contact [email protected]

    All applications are to be made in full and online.

    BNU is proud to have a diverse community and a strong track record of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our aim is to continue to build an environment where everyone thrives and can be themselves. We therefore ensure that our interview/shortlisting Chairs complete the relevant e-learning and/or inclusive recruitment training.

    We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in BNU'S workforce. These include people from global majority backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQI+ people, particularly in more senior roles.

    Closing Date: 5 February 2025

    Interview Date:W/c 17 February 2025

    Please note that an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is required for this position. The successful applicant will be required to give consent to check their criminal record status through the DBS. Information will be kept in strict confidence. Your offer of appointment will be subject to the University being satisfied with the outcome of this check.

    If you are successful in securing an interview for the role, you will be required to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

    BNU is a Disability Confident employer and as such you will be given the opportunity to declare a disability as part of the application process. The University is also committed to achieving the Race Equality Charter.

    Location

    High Wycombe

    Contract Type

    Permanent

    Salary Range

    £33,232 - £36,924

    Hours per week

    37

    SOC code

    N

    Closing Date

    05/02/2025

    Ref No

    1700

    Job Description

    JOB DESCRIPTION

    Job Title: Senior Accommodation Officer

    Faculty/Directorate: Directorate of Student Success

    Grade: F

    Location: High Wycombe Campus

    Hours: 37 (Full time)

    Responsible to: Accommodation Manager

    Responsible for: Accommodation Administrator and Senior Residents

    Job Purpose:

    To ensure that the Accommodation Service provides an effective and professional operational service to it's residents.

    To directly manage the Accommodation Administrator and Senior Residents in order to provide services to halls and private sector areas/residents. To work with the wider accommodation team, contributing to the efficient and effective provision of Accommodation Services.

    Main Duties & Responsibilities of the role:

  • Effectively respond to customers, providing excellent customer service at all times.
  • Manage the Accommodation Service's digital presence, including social media (Facebook) and manage the service's web pages. Undertake design work using Adobe.
  • Manage service feedback; obtaining feedback when necessary and investigating, assessing and responding to complaints and appeals from residents. Maintain records and produce management information for reports and processes.
  • Manage the discipline provision in halls of residence, meeting students and issuing warnings as necessary.
  • Oversee welfare issues that arise in the halls of residence relating to students, reporting on concerns or issues and liaising with the Wellbeing Team to enable them to provide any necessary services.
  • Manage lifestyle and health and safety issues in halls of residence to support students and ensure compliance, as necessary.
  • Manage the Senior Resident team in halls of residence, including recruitment, training, ongoing support and performance management.
  • Manage the private sector service provision. Implementing and maintaining the system, monitoring properties and advising students and landlords. Develop online and in person support service for students requiring support.
  • Build relationships with local accommodation providers and landlords to better support students living outside of halls. Plan and manage any housing fairs.
  • Maintain an appropriate level of knowledge in areas of legislation, policies and practices relevant to housing law and student accommodation, and to share this information where necessary.
  • Manage and oversee the representation of the Accommodation Service at Open Days and online to ensure optimum student recruitment.
  • Responsible for the setup and testing for Room Service (computer system to manage accommodation).
  • Liaise with other departments within the University, as well as external organisations and members of the public, on accommodation-related matters.
  • Provide some out of hours support when necessary.
  • Deputise for the Accommodation Manager when required.
  • Line management responsibilities including recruitment and selection, performance management, professional development, motivation, health & safety and wellbeing.
  • Comply with relevant legislative and other requirements (e.g., the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR; Health and Safety; UKVI; and Equality and Diversity) in all working practices.
  • Such other duties temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required.
  • PERSON SPECIFICATION

    A = Application T = Test I = Interview

    Education, Qualifications & Training

    Means of Testing

    Degree or equivalent

    A

    Knowledge & Experience

    Experience and/or excellent understanding of HE and student Issues

    A / I

    Experience of providing excellent customer service

    A / I

    Experience of non-Access database use

    A / I

    Supervisory experience

    A / I

    Experience of dealing with difficult situations in a professional manner

    A / I

    Experience of conflict resolution and crisis management

    A / I

    Skills

    Ability to work effectively with a range of people

    A / I

    Excellent MS Word and Excel skills and experience in using databases

    A / I / T

    Able to work effectively in a Team

    A / I

    Excellent verbal and written communication skills

    A / I

    Excellent planning and organisational skills

    A / I

    Ability to problem solve and make decisions on own initiative

    A / I

    Numeracy skills with the ability to carry out financial transactions and balance accounts

    A / I

    Data analysis skills

    A / I

    Web page management skills

    A / I

    Ability to work calmly and constructively under pressure

    A / I

    Special Requirements

    Must be prepared to work overtime at peak times and for events.

    I

    Leave Restrictions in summer from Clearing to 2nd week of term in September/October

    I

    Must be prepared to work at the Uxbridge or Aylesbury Campuses on occasion.

    I

    Bucks Behavioural Framework

    Developing Self and Others – Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.

    Delivering Excellent Service - Providing the best quality service to external and internal customers/students/stakeholders. Building genuine and open long- term relationships in order to drive up customer service standards.

    Finding Solutions - Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.

    Location

    High Wycombe

    Contract Type

    Permanent

    Salary Range

    £33,232 - £36,924

    Hours per week

    37

    SOC code

    N

    Closing Date

    05/02/2025

    Ref No

    1700

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