Head Porter

Trinity Hall; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Trinity Hall in Cambridge is seeking an experienced Head Porter to lead three Porters’ Lodges and ensure a high standard of service, safety and operational support across the College community.

This permanent, full-time role (37.5 hours per week) reports to the Deputy Head Porter and oversees a team of 11 Shift Porters and 6 Night Porters, with responsibility for security, access control, fire safety and student welfare.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills.
• Strong leadership skills and the confidence to make sound operational decisions.
• Health and safety knowledge or qualifications.
• Fire safety training and first aid certificates, or willingness to undertake training where required.

Responsibilities

• Management and staff leadership
• Security and access control
• Health, safety and fire safety
• Student welfare support

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organisational skills

Service excellence

Calm under pressure

Job description

Trinity Hall is seeking an experienced, professional and approachable Head Porter to lead three Porters’ Lodges and ensure a consistently high standard of service, safety and operational support across the College community.

The opportunity arises as our current Head Porter prepares to retire after many years of valued service to the College. This is a key leadership role, responsible for managing a dedicated team of Porters and overseeing security, access control, fire safety, emergency response, student welfare support and day-to-day operations across the three Porters’ Lodge. We staff all three lodges 24/7 with a team of 11 Shift Porters and 6 Night Porters who you will be responsible for, as well as a Deputy Head Porter and a Fire Safety Porter.

The successful candidate will bring proven management experience in a customer-facing or service-led environment, together with strong leadership, organisational and communication skills. They will be calm under pressure, security-conscious, discreet and committed to maintaining a welcoming, safe and supportive environment for Fellows, students, staff and visitors. The role requires flexibility, sound judgement and the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across the College while upholding professional standards and Trinity Hall’s tradition of excellent service.

If you are an experienced, people-focused leader with a commitment to service excellence, safety and community, we would be delighted to hear from you.

What We Offer

• A permanent, full-time position, working 37.5 hours per week
• Working hours will normally be Monday to Friday, with flexibility required to meet operational needs
• Salary of £44-47,000 per annum, subject to a six-month probationary period
• A competitive employee benefits package, as detailed below

What We Are Looking For

• Excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills
• Strong leadership skills and the confidence to make sound operational decisions
• Relevant health and safety knowledge or qualifications
• Fire safety training and first aid certificates, or willingness to undertake training where required

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Management and staff leadership
• Security and access control
• Health, safety and fire safety
• Student welfare support

Further details about the role are available in the Job Description and Person Specification.

Selection Process and Interview Dates

There will be two stages to the recruitment process:

• First-stage interviews for long-listed candidates will be held online during the week commencing 12 October 2026.
• Second-stage interviews with a selection panel for short-listed candidates will be held in person during the week commencing 19 October 2026.

About Us

Trinity Hall was founded in 1350 by the Bishop of Norwich primarily to teach Canon and Civil Law. Today, Trinity Hall is a progressive, liberal institution catering for the majority of subjects taught in the University. We have approximately 350 undergraduate and 250 graduate students, 65 Governing Body Fellows and 160 staff.

While the College is dedicated to academic excellence, we are proud of our reputation as a friendly and supportive institution for students, staff and Fellows alike. We have three sites located in Cambridge: Central, Wychfield, Thompson’s Lane and Bateman Street.

At Trinity Hall we are proud of our retention rates and of the globally important research undertaken by our Fellows. Come and join the team and work for us.

The College is committed to the principle and practice of equal opportunities and aims to be an equal opportunities employer. The College’s employment policy seeks to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on any grounds that are unjustified in terms of equality of opportunities for all.