An exciting opportunity has arisen at Oaklands for a Deputy Head of Campus Experience to support the strategic leadership and day-to-day operational management of the College’s campus experience, security/customer experience ambassador and campus safety provision, ensuring a safe, secure and welcoming environment for students, staff and visitors.
The postholder will deputise for the Head of Campus Experience and help lead the development and delivery of an integrated, intelligence-led campus experience strategy aligned to safeguarding, Prevent, health & safety and business continuity requirements. This includes responsibility for operational risk management, incident response, service coordination and continuous improvement, ensuring the College meets statutory and regulatory obligations while enhancing the student experience.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
Support the leadership and management of the daytime, termtime security and customer experience teams, ensuring effective deployment of staff and resources.
Assist in overseeing security and campus experience operations, including:
- Access control and ID systems
- CCTV and surveillance
- Incident reporting and investigation
Support the delivery of a professional, visible and student-centred security/customer experience ambassador presence across all sites.
Undertake a visible meet and greet presence at the start and end of each College day, helping to ensure a welcoming, orderly and safe environment for students, staff and visitors.
Inclusion, Equality and Student Experience
Work in partnership with Safeguarding teams to ensure security services:
Promote student safety and wellbeing through effective operational practice.
Model and embed a trauma-informed approach in campus operations.
Contribute to incident management, missing learners and vulnerability response.
Support the lead for physical safeguarding infrastructure and response that is appropriate and inclusive to meet all student needs.
Ensure alignment with:
- KCSIE / Prevent Duty
- College safeguarding policies
Risk, Compliance and Assurance
Incident Management & Emergency Planning
Act as a deputy lead for major incidents and emergency response, including:
Critical incident command
Liaison with emergency services
Support the development and testing of business continuity and emergency plans
Support post-incident reviews and continuous improvement activity
Coordinate weekly reporting that identifies themes and hot spots and supports intervention strategies to evidence impact.
Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships
Contracts and Resource Management
Support budget monitoring, ensuring value for money and service effectiveness.
Support the oversight of procurement and performance of external security contractors and SLAs as required.
Contribute to KPIs to monitor service performance and drive improvement.
Digital Data and AI Enabled Practice
Support the development of modern, intelligence-led security systems and processes.
Benchmark against sector best practice and contribute to service innovation.
Support the introduction of new technologies such as digital reporting and integrated systems.
Leadership and People Management
- High professional standards and conduct
- Ongoing training and CPD
- Strong performance management culture
- High professional standards and conduct
- Ongoing training and CPD
- Strong performance management culture
Promote a customer-focused, inclusive and supportive culture
Support the implementation of a college-wide student behaviour strategy.
Is This You
Essential Qualifications
Educated to degree level or equivalent professional experience in a relevant field (e.g. student services, campus operations, security management, public services, facilities or risk management)
Evidence of continuous professional development (CPD) in campus experience, student services, safety or leadership
Relevant professional qualification in leadership, student services, safety or operations management, or willingness to work towards one
Skills and Abilities
Ability to think strategically and translate vision into operational delivery
Strong analytical skills to assess complex risks and develop proportionate responses
Ability to align campus experience priorities with organisational goals and student experience outcomes
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to communicate effectively with:
- Senior leaders and governors
- Staff and students
- External agencies
Strong influencing and negotiation skills, with the ability to challenge constructively
Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise competing demands
Ability to make sound decisions under pressure, including when deputising in incident or emergency situations
High level of attention to detail and commitment to compliance and standards
Ability to build effective relationships across departments, particularly safeguarding, estates, curriculum and student services
Experience of working collaboratively with external stakeholders and partner agencies
Experience
Significant experience in a supervisory or management role relating to campus operations, student services, safety or customer-facing services, ideally in a multi-site or complex organisation
Proven track record of supporting and coordinating operational services that contribute to a safe, welcoming and inclusive campus environment
Experience of implementing operational procedures, service improvements and cross-college initiatives
Demonstrable experience of assessing operational risks, identifying themes and supporting mitigation planning
Experience managing or coordinating staff teams, contractors or outsourced service provision
Experience of supporting budget monitoring and resource planning
Experience of working with external partners such as:
Knowledge Specific to Role
- Health and Safety legislation
- Data protection and information security principles
Understanding of emergency planning, crisis management and business continuity
Knowledge of safeguarding principles and the role campus operations play in protecting vulnerable students
Awareness of Prevent Duty and associated responsibilities
Understanding of customer service standards and inclusive practice within public-facing educational environments
Personal Attributes
Professional, credible and resilient manager with a calm and authoritative presence
Strong commitment to safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion
Commitment to delivering a safe, welcoming and inclusive campus environment
High level of integrity, discretion and confidentiality
Proactive, solution-focused and committed to continuous improvement
Flexible and responsive, with the ability to operate effectively in dynamic environments
Desirable Criteria:
Knowledge of the FE sector regulatory landscape, including Ofsted expectations relating to behaviour, safety and safeguarding
Understanding of estates and facilities management integration
Knowledge of current and emerging security technologies and digital systems
Why Oaklands?
At Oaklands, you’ll join a forward-thinking college that genuinely invests in its people. We offer:
Local Government Pension Scheme with excellent employer contributions
Generous annual leave entitlement
Discount on UNO bus scheme
Continuous Professional Development (CPD) – including free adult learning courses
Long Service Awards
Free onsite gym and discounted wellness treatments
Cycle to Work Scheme and discounted travel
Staff development days and annual awards celebrating your success
Free access to Microsoft Office software for personal use
Discounted entry to Oaklands events – from our Foodies Festival to Lambing Weekend and Oaklands Zoo
Most importantly, you’ll have the chance to make your mark — driving innovation, building a powerful brand, and creating a first-class student experience that defines the Oaklands journey.
Oaklands is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults.
Click Here to find out more about Oaklands College!
