Student Services Assistant

Novatech Ltd; West Dean; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 14,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous contributory pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Mental Health First Aiders

Cycle to work scheme

Free entry to West Dean Gardens

Discounts on retail goods

Free/discounted short courses at West

Free use of West Dean facilities

Subsidised bed and breakfast rates

Job summary

West Dean College is seeking a part-time Student Services Assistant to join the Academic & Student Services team. You will be the friendly first point of contact for students on award-bearing programmes, providing guidance and handling enquiries.

You’ll support wellbeing initiatives, maintain records, and assist with Registration, Induction, Open Days and other college events, while working closely with staff to deliver an inclusive student experience.

Qualifications

• Previous administration experience, ideally in customer-facing or education environment.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Confident handling information accurately and confidentially, with data protection knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day support to students and respond to questions, guiding to the right services.
• Build positive relationships with students and colleagues, ensuring they feel listened to and supported.
• Support wellbeing initiatives, campaigns, surveys and engagement activities.
• Maintain accurate student records and respond to enquiries by email and phone.
• Prepare routine correspondence and provide general administrative support to the team.
• Support events along the student journey (Registration, Induction, Open Days, Graduation).

Skills

Administration

Customer service

Organisational skills

Communication

Data protection

Education

Arts qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Are you organised, approachable and passionate about providing excellent support to students?

We’re looking for a Student Services Assistant to join our Academic & Student Services team and become a friendly and reliable first point of contact for students on our award-bearing programmes.

This is a varied, student-focused role where you’ll help students navigate College life, provide practical guidance, respond to queries and make sure they know where to go for the support and services available to them.

You’ll play an important part in creating a positive and inclusive student experience, working closely with the Student Welfare Team, Student Association and colleagues across Academic & Student Services.

What You’ll Be Doing

You’ll provide day-to-day support to students, responding to questions and helping them access the right services and information. You’ll build positive relationships with students, ensuring they feel listened to, supported and comfortable raising questions or concerns.

You’ll also support student wellbeing initiatives, campaigns and activities, including student feedback surveys, the National Student Survey and wellbeing and engagement activities.

A key part of the role will be supporting important moments in the student journey, including Registration and Induction, Open Days, Graduation, Student Shows, Exhibitions and other College events.

Alongside your student-facing responsibilities, you’ll maintain accurate student records and databases, respond to enquiries by email and telephone, prepare routine correspondence and provide general administrative support to the team.

About You

You’ll have previous administration experience, ideally gained in a customer-facing or education environment, and excellent organisational and communication skills.

You’ll be approachable, positive and solutions-focused, with the ability to build effective relationships with students, colleagues and external contacts.

You’ll be confident handling information accurately and confidentially, with a good understanding of data protection. You’ll also be numerate, comfortable using Microsoft Office and able to support meetings by preparing agendas and taking minutes.

You’ll be able to manage competing priorities, remain calm under pressure and work collaboratively as part of a team.

An arts or arts-related qualification and experience of working within an education environment would be desirable.

About West Dean

West Dean is a unique place to work and visit, bringing together education, arts, design, craft, conservation, heritage and hospitality.

Our Sussex campus is set within the beautiful 6,350-acre West Dean Estate in the South Downs National Park, providing an inspiring environment for our students, staff and visitors.

Working at West Dean means becoming part of a community that values creativity, craftsmanship, sustainability and inclusivity, while helping to deliver an exceptional student experience.

Working Hours and Salary

This is a permanent, part-time position working 17.5 hours per week (0.5 FTE), Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 1.00pm.

Salary: £13,000 per annum (£26,000 FTE).

Benefits

You’ll receive a pro rata equivalent of 33 days’ holiday, including bank holidays, alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous contributory pension scheme, with matching from 4% to 7.5%
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Mental Health First Aiders
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free entry to West Dean Gardens
• Discounts on retail goods in our two Sussex shops
• Free and discounted places on short courses at West Dean College
• Free use of West Dean Sussex facilities, including the swimming pool, library and tennis courts
• Subsidised bed and breakfast rates at the Sussex campus

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to make a real difference to the day-to-day experience of our students.

If you’re someone who enjoys helping others, takes pride in providing an excellent service and would love to work in a creative and inspiring educational environment, we’d love to hear from you.

Interviews are scheduled to take place w/c 7 September 2026. Early applications are encouraged as interviews may take place sooner.

Application deadline: 31 September 2026.