Student Transition and Transformation Manager Student Services

Manchester Metropolitan University; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Staff development

Staff benefits

Job summary

Manchester Metropolitan University seeks a Student Experience and Transformation Manager to lead strategic projects that enhance the student journey. You will drive engagement, transition and belonging, turning insights into practicable improvements across Student Services.

The role requires influential leadership, strong PM skills and a deep understanding of the higher education context, with a commitment to inclusive practice and positive outcomes for all students.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading large-scale student experience, engagement or transformation projects within a complex organisation.
• Strong project management skills with ability to coordinate multiple priorities and deliver measurable outcomes.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills with the confidence to influence at senior leadership levels.
• Experience using data, insight and feedback to inform strategic decisions.
• Strong understanding of the higher education sector and factors contributing to student success.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic student experience and transformation projects delivering meaningful improvements for students.
• Drive initiatives focused on student engagement, transition, belonging, retention and success.
• Develop approaches that strengthen the student voice and ensure feedback informs service development.
• Use data and evaluation to identify opportunities, measure impact and support continuous improvement.
• Build partnerships across the University, Students' Union and external stakeholders to deliver student-centred services.
• Champion inclusive practice and targeted interventions to improve outcomes for underrepresented student groups.

Skills

Project leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Data-driven decision making

Higher education sector knowledge

Inclusive practice

Job description

Are you passionate about creating exceptional student experiences and driving meaningful change at scale?
This is an exciting opportunity to shape how students engage with our services throughout their university journey and lead transformational projects that make a genuine difference to student outcomes.

As Student Experience and Transformation Manager, you'll play a pivotal role in driving strategic change across Student Services, helping to ensure that all interactions students have with us are connected, accessible and impactful.

About the role:

As part of the Student Services Leadership Team, you'll play a leading role in shaping and enhancing the student experience across Manchester Met. Working collaboratively with colleagues across Academic and Professional Services, you'll turn insight into action, ensuring our services support students effectively from application through to graduation.

In this role, you will:

• Lead strategic student experience and transformation projects that deliver meaningful improvements for students.
• Drive initiatives focused on student engagement, transition, belonging, retention and success.
• Develop approaches that strengthen the student voice and ensure feedback informs decision-making and service development.
• Use data, insight and evaluation to identify opportunities, measure impact and support continuous improvement.
• Build strong partnerships across the University, Students' Union and external stakeholders to deliver joined‑up, student‑centred services.
• Champion inclusive practice and targeted interventions that improve outcomes for underrepresented student groups.

This is a highly visible role that offers the opportunity to influence institutional priorities, work closely with senior stakeholders and lead initiatives that make a lasting difference to the student experience across the University.

We offer a competitive benefits package including generous annual leave, excellent pension provision, access to wellbeing support, family‑friendly policies, ongoing professional development opportunities and a range of staff benefits and discounts.

About you:

We're looking for an experienced and influential professional who is passionate about enhancing the student experience and driving positive change.

You will bring:

• Significant experience of leading large‑scale student experience, engagement or transformation projects within a complex organisation.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple priorities and deliver measurable outcomes.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills and the confidence to influence and collaborate at both operational and senior leadership levels.
• Experience of using data, insight and feedback to identify opportunities, evaluate impact and inform strategic decisions.
• A strong understanding of the higher education sector, student needs and the factors that contribute to student success, engagement and belonging.
• A commitment to inclusive practice and creating opportunities for all students to thrive.

Most importantly, you'll be someone who can bring people together around a shared vision and turn ideas into tangible improvements that enhance students' lives.

For informal enquiries about the role, please contact Jenny Clough, Director of Student Services, via [e-mail].

Please note: Interviews are provisonally scheduled to take place 03 November (03/11/26)

Further information:

Manchester Metropolitan University fosters an inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We value a diverse workforce for the innovation and diversity of thought it brings and welcome applications from all local and international communities, including Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

We support a range of flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and tailored schedules, which can be discussed with your line manager. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in your role, please let us know so we can provide appropriate support.

Our commitment to inclusivity includes mentoring programmes, accessibility resources, and professional development opportunities to empower and support underrepresented groups.

Manchester Met is a Disability Confident Leader and, under this scheme, aims to offer an interview to disabled people who apply for the role and meet the essential criteria as listed in the attached Job Description for that vacancy.