Chief Student Officer

Harper Adams University; England; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job description

Lead Transformation. Champion Belonging. Shape the Future.

Harper Adams University is seeking an inspiring, future-focused Chief Student Officer to lead a transformational student experience. This is a landmark appointment – the first of its kind at our institution – and a rare opportunity to shape the full student journey at the UK’s leading specialist university for food production and technology, animal health and wellbeing, and sustainable living environments.

Rooted in over 120 years of proud heritage, Harper Adams is not bound by the past. Our focus, as expressed through our Harper 2030 Strategic Plan, is firmly on the future – creating a student environment that is inclusive, connected, and responsive to a rapidly changing world. As Chief Student Officer, you’ll be a key member of the Vice-Chancellor’s Executive Group, driving institutional strategy and leading across engagement, wellbeing, inclusion, and success.

We’re looking for a confident, innovative leader who brings both vision and operational acumen. You’ll work collaboratively across academic and professional services, ensure regulatory compliance, champion safeguarding and inclusion, and inspire a culture where every student can thrive. With oversight of services and initiatives from pre-enrolment through to graduation, your work will directly shape the student experience and support lasting impact.

You’ll bring experience of leading high-performing teams and delivering change in complex environments. Strong data literacy, communication skills, and cultural fluency are essential, as is a deep commitment to student success and belonging.

Harper Adams is a close-knit, mission-driven community of over 600 staff and 5,000 students. We’re proud of our rural Shropshire roots and expanding presence in Telford – symbols of our bold, inclusive growth. Our £50m campus investment, award-winning teaching and research, and sector-leading graduate outcomes all reflect our ambition to make a difference.

We offer a beautiful working environment, flexible working, generous benefits, and a culture of support, trust, and pride. If you share our values and are ready to help redefine student experience, we’d love to hear from you.

For more information, please visit www.andersonquigley.com/hau.

The closing date for applications is noon on Friday 9 May 2025.

We value equality and diversity across our workforce and to ensuring our staff community is reflective of the diversity of our student population. In support of these commitments the University welcomes applications from individuals of Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds for all roles.