Head of Operations - PBSA

Residential Living Recruitment; Manchester; Remote; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency seeks a Head of Operations to oversee a national Purpose-Built Student Accommodation portfolio. This senior role demands strong leadership in managing multi-site operations, driving student wellbeing, and ensuring compliance across all locations. The ideal candidate exhibits extensive experience in operational leadership, commercial knowledge, and stakeholder management. Join to impact operational performance and enhance student experiences across the entire portfolio.

Qualifications

• Senior operational leadership experience in PBSA or multi-site residential.
• Strong knowledge of UK PBSA operations and compliance.
• Commercially astute with experience driving performance and NOI.
• Confident leader with excellent people management skills.
• Health & Safety knowledge (NEBOSH/IOSH desirable).

Responsibilities

• Leading multi-site PBSA operations and on-site teams.
• Driving outstanding student experience and wellbeing strategy.
• Ensuring full compliance across health & safety and governance.
• Overseeing facilities management and contractor performance.
• Setting and managing KPIs for occupancy and tenant satisfaction.
• Supporting revenue, leasing, and growth initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder Management

Commercial Acumen

Health & Safety Knowledge

Job description

Location: Flexible ( must be able to cover national portfolio)

We’re recruiting an experienced Head of Operations to lead a national Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) portfolio.

This senior role is responsible for operational excellence, student experience, compliance, and commercial performance across multiple sites.

You’ll lead and develop General Managers, work closely with central teams, and ensure consistently high standards of service, safety and community engagement.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading multi-site PBSA operations and on-site teams
• Driving an outstanding student experience and wellbeing strategy
• Ensuring full compliance across health & safety, building safety and governance
• Overseeing facilities management and contractor performance
• Setting and managing KPIs across occupancy, tenant satisfaction, and financial performance
• Supporting revenue, leasing, and growth initiatives

About you:

• Senior operational leadership experience in PBSA or multi-site residential
• Strong knowledge of UK PBSA operations and compliance
• Commercially astute with experience driving performance and NOI
• Confident leader with excellent stakeholder and people management skills
• Health & Safety knowledge (NEBOSH/IOSH desirable)

A high-impact leadership role with real influence over student experience, operational performance, and portfolio growth.