Student Housing Advisor

University of Bristol Students' Union; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 46,000 - 47,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Enhanced parental leave pay

Flexible working

Generous pension

40 days holiday

Professional training

Job summary

Bristol SU is seeking a part-time Student Housing Advisor to support University of Bristol students with housing issues. You’ll advise on rights, responsibilities, costs and tenancy concerns, and signpost to wellbeing and academic services.

You’ll manage your own caseload, produce reports, and work flexibly with some home-based time and in-office days at Senate House and other venues. Prioritise compassionate, clear communication and problem-solving to improve student outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience in advice and advocacy, ideally housing related.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Ability to interpret and explain complex information clearly.
• Ability to hold and manage own caseload and keep accurate records.

Responsibilities

• Advise students on housing-related issues.
• Explain tenants' and landlords' rights and responsibilities.
• Signpost to other services and escalate where needed.
• Produce written reports and presentations to a high standard.
• Maintain accurate case records in the case management system.
• Manage a caseload and support student success.
• Work across offices at Senate House and other venues.

Skills

Advice & advocacy

Housing knowledge

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Caseload management

Report writing

Tools

Case management system

Job description

We’re looking for someone with the passion and skill to advise students at the University of Bristol as part of the Students’ Union Housing Advice Service. We hope that it might be you.

It’s one of two advice services at the Students’ Union, established in January 2025.

We are a team of three, who aim to exceed expectations whilst delivering and developing the service.

We provide information and advice to students who are experiencing a variety of housing-related issues; often when things aren’t quite going to plan. Our advice covers areas including finding accommodation, understanding tenants’ and landlords’ rights and responsibilities, balancing limited incomes with high rents and other costs, tenant conflicts, poor housing conditions and disrepair and other breaches of tenancy and licence agreements.

We support students to understand and navigate various processes, for example formal complaints, and develop new skills, often in partnership with others at the Students’ Union, The University of Bristol and beyond. We frequently signpost students to other services that can support their wellbeing and academic success too.

You don’t have to have worked in higher education or in a students’ union before, but we are looking for someone who is experienced in advice and advocacy work, ideally housing related. You’ll be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and someone who enjoys connecting with other people. You have excellent communication and organisational skills. You can interpret and explain complex information in a clear and effective way and are able to produce written reports and presentations to a high standard. You’re able to hold and manage your own caseload effectively, keeping accurate records on our case management system, and able to effect change and achieve positive outcomes for the students who access our service.

It’s likely that you’ll be working on three days during the week, one of which can be worked from a confidential space in your home, as agreed with your line manager and the rest of the team. You’ll be in the office for the remaining two days; usually at Senate House, but also at the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, The Richmond Building and other venues when this is required.

We’re building quality into everything that we do, and we want you to be a part of this. We listen and respond to what students tell us, we’re open to learning about lots of things, including housing law, and we reflect on the work that we do, to improve our service at every opportunity.

Our service is founded on some fundamental values, including showing kindness, empathy, respect, integrity and accountability in all that we do; it’s important that you share those.

What’s the job?

Role: Student Housing Advisor

Hours: 21 hours per week – part-time role (0.6 FTE)

Salary: The starting salary for this role is £27,972 pro rata

Contract: Permanent

Closing date: Monday 5 October 2026, 9am

Who are we?

Part business, part charity, part membership body – Bristol SU is a seriously fun placeto work. Our professional staff do something extraordinary every day: we support student leaders to give people a voice in their education, help people get the most out of their student experience and help people make the change they want in the world. We have over 32,000 members, 350 clubs and societies, a diverse range of professional services, and an innovative strategy that will help to create an inclusive and supportive University community.

What will you bring?

• You’ll have experience in advice and advocacy, ideally within a housing setting.
• You’ll be able to confidently and effectively work under pressure, demonstrating excellent organizational skills.
• You know how to build relationships with others, showing kindness and empathy; particularly when people are in distress and dealing with a housing crisis.
• You’re a skilled communicator and understand how to work as part of a team.
• You’ll want to learn and have the enthusiasm and motivation to contribute to the provision and development of a service that supports students’ success.

Why apply?

Because you’re excited to make a difference!

We offer lots of great benefits including enhanced pay for parents taking maternity, adoption or shared parental leave, a competitive salary for the non-profit sector, a generous pension scheme and at least 40 days’ holiday. We’re committed to helping you achieve a healthy work-life balance through flexible working and are open to considering requests for part-time working. We provide professional training so that whatever your chosen field of work, with the right mix of challenge and support, you’ll gain fantastic experience, and room to develop and advance your career.

We are proud to have been recognised through numerous accreditations and awards that demonstrate our commitment to creating a positive and supportive culture. We have appeared in the Inclusive Companies top 100 list and have won a number of awards for our commitment to diversity, including best Students' Union. No wonder 87% of our employees would recommend Bristol SU as a great place to work!

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are central to life at Bristol SU. We approach our work with positivity and celebrate our diverse and unique communities. Our people are proud of our values and care about creating diverse and supportive communities that are inclusive of age, disability, gender, identity, race, religion, sexual orientation and experience.

Bristol SU strives to have an inclusive culture and an environment for all, underpinned by respect and compassion, where everyone feels welcomed, included, supported, valued and safe. Bristol SU recognises that candidates from some backgrounds/ identities may face additional barriers throughout their careers and when applying for new roles across the sector. We are committed to taking positive action to expand the diversity of our staff team by offering two guaranteed interview schemes – a scheme for people of colour and a scheme for disabled people.

Be yourself, be proud of the workyou do and build a career in a place that knows different is good.

Key dates

• Closing Date: Monday 5 October 2026, 9am
• Shortlisting: Monday 5 October to Friday 9 October 2026
• Interviews: Friday 16 October 2026

For general enquiries, please contact us at [e-mail]