Director of Student Support

The University of Leicester is seeking a dedicated and experienced Director of Student Support to join our School of Medicine. This pivotal role involves providing strategic leadership in the development, provision, and delivery of comprehensive support services to our medical students. You will oversee and manage the Academic and Professional Support Leads and the Pastoral Support team, ensuring that our students receive the highest quality support throughout their studies.

In this role, you will work closely with the Head and Deputy Heads of School, Senior Tutors, Phase Leads, and Year Leads to maintain and further develop our student support services, evaluating their effectiveness and implementing improvements as necessary. You will also contribute to the teaching of our MB ChB undergraduate and postgraduate courses, ensuring that our students benefit from research-led teaching and excellent academic support. Additionally, you will be involved in the key School of Medicine leadership committees, including the Pastoral and Professional Concerns Group and the School Executive.

This is a part-time, permanent position (0.4 FTE), offering a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on the student experience within a leading research-intensive university.

To be successful in this role, you will hold a primary medical qualification (MB ChB or equivalent) and full GMC registration, with substantial experience as a GMC-registered medical practitioner. You will have a strong track record of leadership in a student support role, particularly within a medical education context, and demonstrate a deep understanding of the challenges faced by medical students.

You will possess excellent interpersonal and empathetic communication skills, with the ability to work cooperatively and effectively with students and colleagues alike. Your leadership style will be inclusive, inspiring, and impactful, reflecting the University’s core values. You will be adept at managing complexity, mediating, and negotiating in challenging situations, and capable of providing targeted and effective support to students, particularly those facing personal difficulties.

Your commitment to personal and professional development will be evident through your continuing engagement with educational research, training courses, and medical education conferences. A formal qualification in Coaching or Pastoral Support, and a Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) or equivalent, would be advantageous.

Join us in this vital role, where you will help shape the future of our medical students, ensuring they receive the support they need to thrive both academically and personally.