Head of Student Wellbeing (1.0 FTE)

Glasgow Caledonian University; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 57,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading modern university in Scotland seeks a strategic leader for the Student Wellbeing Service. The role involves managing teams focused on mental health, disability support, and wellbeing initiatives, ensuring alignment with the university's strategy. Candidates should have a degree or equivalent experience with strong knowledge in relevant areas. The position offers a full-time permanent contract.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Family-friendly policies

Onsite childcare facilities

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or have equivalent experience.
• Strong knowledge of student mental health, wellbeing, disability support, and GBV prevention is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Student Wellbeing Service.
• Lead the development of policies related to student mental health and wellbeing.
• Oversee teams including Disability Team and Counselling services.

Skills

Knowledge of student mental health

Experience in disability support

Understanding of GBV prevention

Education

Degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Location: Glasgow Caledonian University Cowcaddens Road, G4 0BA

Salary: £57,422 - £66,537 per year

Contract Type: Permanent

Position Type: Full Time

Hours: 35 hours per week

Advert

Glasgow Caledonian – the largest and leading modern university in Scotland – is a vibrant, values-led university with campuses in Glasgow and London. We are committed to high-quality education and research, supporting our communities, and maintaining strong partnerships with employers to ensure our students achieve their career goals.

In 2025, we continue to be a Top 50 university as ranked by the Guardian University Guide, the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, and the Daily Mail University Guide.

We’re the only Scottish university with EcoCampus Platinum accreditation and ranked second in Scotland for sustainability in the People and Planet league table.

With a wide range of professionally accredited courses and over 300 industry partnerships, we have the highest proportion of employed graduates, with 92% in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating (HESA 2025). We also lead among Scottish modern universities in placing graduates in highly skilled occupations.

Glasgow Caledonian is Scotland’s leading provider of Graduate Apprenticeships. We support over 22,000 students from nearly 120 countries through transnational partnerships and are dedicated to accessible education to broaden participation in higher education.

Guided by our values of integrity, responsibility, creativity, and confidence, we aim to transform lives and communities.

The main purpose of this role is to provide strategic and operational leadership for the University’s Student Wellbeing Service. The post involves setting clear objectives, planning, and developing strategies to ensure the service meets student needs and promotes progression, well-being, and employment readiness.

The successful candidate will oversee the Student Wellbeing Service, including the Disability Team, Counselling, Mental Health Advisers, Student Wellbeing Advisers, GBV Prevention and Response Adviser, Student Mental Health Project Officer, and administrative support. The post holder will join the Senior Management Team alongside the Head of Careers and the Head of Enquiries, Advice, and Events.

We seek an enthusiastic individual to lead the development and implementation of policies related to student mental health, wellbeing, disability support, and GBV prevention and response. The role involves ensuring the university stays informed of current best practices and aligning policies with GCU’s 2030 Strategy, including Education, Engagement, Internationalisation, and making GCU a Destination of Choice for Students.

Applicants should be educated to degree level or have equivalent experience, along with relevant professional qualifications. A strong knowledge of student mental health, wellbeing, disability support, and GBV prevention is essential.

For more information or an informal discussion, please contact Avril Williams, Director of Student Life, at [e-mail].

As the University for the Common Good, we are committed to embedding equality, diversity, and inclusion in all we do. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates who demonstrate GCU’s values.

GCU is dedicated to a fair and transparent recruitment process, free from bias, to attract and retain a high-performing workforce. The university holds the Athena SWAN Silver award for gender equality and is a Disability Confident 'Committed' employer, making reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants during recruitment. We also hold the ‘Carer Positive Established’ employer award, supporting staff with caring responsibilities.

Benefits include professional development opportunities, family-friendly policies, cycle-to-work schemes, and onsite childcare facilities.

Please note that the appointment will be made at the first point of the salary scale unless otherwise specified.

As this role involves regulated work with adults and/or children, the successful candidate will require PVG Scheme membership.