Interim Head of Student Experience

Real; Harrogate; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 92,000; Part time

Job summary

Real is seeking an experienced Interim Head of Student Experience to provide strategic and operational leadership across the student journey in a Further Education setting. You will work with senior leaders, curriculum teams, support services and external partners to ensure enrolment through progression delivers an outstanding learner experience.

The role focuses on improving engagement, wellbeing, inclusion, retention and progression, and requires a proven track record in leading student

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience in Further Education, Higher Education, or a related educational environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of the college's Student Experience Strategy.
• Drive initiatives that enhance student engagement, wellbeing, inclusion, retention, achievement, and progression.
• Ensure the student voice is embedded within decision-making processes across the college.
• Contribute to college-wide strategic planning as a member of the leadership team.
• Develop mechanisms for gathering and responding to student feedback.
• Oversee student representation, learner forums, and enrichment activities.
• Promote a culture where students feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.
• Lead initiatives that improve student satisfaction and engagement metrics.
• Provide leadership for student support services, including welfare, safeguarding, pastoral support, attendance, and wellbeing provision.
• Ensure effective systems are in place to identify and support vulnerable learners and those at risk of disengagement.
• Work collaboratively to promote equality, diversity, inclusion, mental health, and student resilience.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of student experience activities using data and performance measures.
• Identify areas for improvement and implement targeted action plans.
• Support curriculum and support teams in improving retention, attendance, achievement, and progression outcomes.
• Contribute to preparations for inspection and quality assurance activities where required.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including students, parents/carers, employers, schools, community organisations, and local partners.
• Act as a visible and accessible leader across the college community.
• Represent the college at relevant meetings, events, and partnership forums.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Strategic planning

Change management

Communication

Job description

Location: UK Further Education College
Contract Type: Interim Day Rate Contract
Duration: Initial 3-Month Assignment
Working Pattern: 5 days per week preferred; applications from candidates available 3-4 days per week will also be considered.
Day Rate: Competitive, dependent on experience

Overview

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Interim Head of Student Experience to provide strategic and operational leadership across all aspects of the student journey. This is an exciting opportunity for an accomplished education leader to enhance the student experience, improve engagement, drive student satisfaction, and support positive learner outcomes within a Further Education setting.

The successful candidate will work closely with senior leaders, curriculum teams, support services, and external stakeholders to ensure students receive an outstanding experience from enrolment through to progression.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the development and implementation of the college's Student Experience Strategy.
• Drive initiatives that enhance student engagement, wellbeing, inclusion, retention, achievement, and progression.
• Ensure the student voice is embedded within decision-making processes across the college.
• Contribute to college-wide strategic planning as a member of the leadership team.

Student Engagement & Participation

• Develop mechanisms for gathering and responding to student feedback.
• Oversee student representation, learner forums, and enrichment activities.
• Promote a culture where students feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.
• Lead initiatives that improve student satisfaction and engagement metrics.

Student Support & Wellbeing

• Provide leadership for student support services, including welfare, safeguarding, pastoral support, attendance, and wellbeing provision.
• Ensure effective systems are in place to identify and support vulnerable learners and those at risk of disengagement.
• Work collaboratively to promote equality, diversity, inclusion, mental health, and student resilience.

Quality Improvement

• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of student experience activities using data and performance measures.
• Identify areas for improvement and implement targeted action plans.
• Support curriculum and support teams in improving retention, attendance, achievement, and progression outcomes.
• Contribute to preparations for inspection and quality assurance activities where required.

Stakeholder Management

• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including students, parents/carers, employers, schools, community organisations, and local partners.
• Act as a visible and accessible leader across the college community.
• Represent the college at relevant meetings, events, and partnership forums.

Operational Management

• Lead and manage relevant teams within the student services and student experience functions.
• Oversee budgets and resources effectively, ensuring value for money and service excellence.
• Ensure compliance with legislative, regulatory, safeguarding, and awarding body requirements.

Person Specification

Essential Experience

• Significant leadership experience within Further Education, Higher Education, or a related educational environment.
• Proven track record of improving student engagement, satisfaction, retention, and outcomes.
• Experience leading student services, learner support, pastoral provision, or student experience functions.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, student wellbeing, inclusion, and learner support requirements.
• Experience of managing teams through change and delivering measurable improvements.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

• Strong understanding of the Further Education sector.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to analyse data and use insights to drive improvement.
• Experience of developing and implementing strategic initiatives.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.

Desirable

• Experience supporting Ofsted preparation and inspection activity.
• Knowledge of current FE funding, compliance, and regulatory requirements.
• Relevant leadership or education qualification.

Key Deliverables During the Interim Assignment

The successful interim is expected to:

• Review current student experience provision and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Assess student engagement, attendance, retention, and satisfaction performance.
• Develop and implement a focused improvement plan.
• Strengthen student voice mechanisms and feedback processes.
• Enhance cross-college collaboration to improve the learner journey.
• Provide leadership capacity and stability during a period of change, transformation, or recruitment.

Desired Skills and Experience

Student services, Student experience, Student finance, previously worked in a Head of department position managing a colleges student experience department.