Residential Accommodation Services Manager

Be part of something special. Create a place where students feel at home, build confidence and thrive.
Wiltshire College & University Centre is looking for an enthusiastic, experienced and student-focused Residential Accommodation Services Manager to lead our residential provision at Lackham Campus.
This is an excellent opportunity to take the lead in creating an outstanding residential experience for students, ensuring that those living away from home feel safe, supported, included and part of a vibrant college community. You'll be at the heart of campus life, making a real difference to students' wellbeing, independence, personal development and success.
Set within 500 acres of beautiful Wiltshire countryside, Lackham Campus offers a truly unique learning environment. With a commercial farm, Agri-Tech Centre, Animal Centre, engineering workshops and dedicated horticulture areas, our campus is a thriving, practical and industry-focused environment where learners work with real-world land-based systems and emerging technologies.
As Residential Accommodation Services Manager, you'll have the opportunity to shape the residential experience, lead a dedicated team and work alongside colleagues across the college to create a safe, welcoming and supportive home-from-home environment. You'll also play a vital role in ensuring our provision for under-18s meets the relevant Care Standards and the highest expectations of safeguarding and student welfare.
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A fantastic opportunity to combine leadership, student wellbeing and operational management in a unique college environment where no two days are the same.
What You'll Do
Lead and inspire the residential team, creating a positive, professional and student-focused service.
Oversee the day-to-day management of residential accommodation, ensuring high standards across all aspects of provision.
Create a welcoming and inclusive residential community where students feel safe, valued and supported.
Understand and ensure residential services for under-18s meet the relevant Care Standards, maintaining appropriate policies, procedures and quality assurance arrangements.
Take responsibility for student welfare, safeguarding and pastoral care, ensuring concerns are identified and managed effectively.
Develop opportunities for residential activities and enrichment that encourage friendships, independence and personal development.
Work closely with curriculum, safeguarding and student support teams to provide joined-up support.
Build positive relationships with parents, carers, external agencies and other partners.
Oversee residential admissions, room allocations, arrivals and departures.
Ensure accommodation meets required standards for health and safety, security, cleanliness and maintenance.
Manage staffing, budgets and resources effectively, ensuring an efficient and high-quality service.
Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with college policies and regulatory requirements.
Lead, motivate and develop the residential team, driving high standards and continuous improvement.
What You'll Bring

Experience managing residential accommodation, student services, pastoral support or a similar service.
Proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team.
A strong understanding of safeguarding, student welfare and pastoral care, particularly for under-18s.
Knowledge of the Care Standards and regulatory requirements relating to residential provision for young people.
Experience of health and safety, risk management and maintaining safe environments.
The confidence to manage challenging situations, make sound decisions and resolve issues effectively.
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
Experience managing budgets, staffing and operational resources.
A positive, proactive and solutions-focused approach.
A genuine passion for supporting young people to develop independence, confidence and life skills.
The ability to inspire a team and create a culture where high standards, care and accountability go hand in hand.
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This is more than an accommodation management role. It's an opportunity to shape an important part of student life and make a lasting difference to young people.
Join us and enjoy the opportunity to:
Lead and develop a residential service that plays a vital role in the student experience.
Make a meaningful difference to young people's confidence, independence and wellbeing.
Build a positive residential community where students feel they belong.
Work alongside passionate colleagues in a unique 500-acre specialist campus environment.
Influence the quality, development and future direction of residential provision.
Make a visible difference every day, knowing that the environment you create helps students succeed.
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Make a Move That Truly Matters
If you're a passionate residential or student support professional with the leadership skills, energy and enthusiasm to make a difference, we'd love to hear from you.
This is your opportunity to bring people together, inspire a team and create a residential experience that students will remember for all the right reasons.
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Help us make Lackham more than a place to study. Make it a place where students feel at home, discover their potential and thrive.
Closing Date: 19/11/26
Please note:
Your Application Form will be shortlisted against how your skills, qualifications and experience match the Essential and Desirable points on the Person Specification for this role, located at the top of this page as a downloadable document.
Vacancies may close early if sufficient applications have been received; therefore, we would encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.
Safer Recruitment
Wiltshire College & University Centre follows Safer Recruitment Guidance outlined by the Department for Education in 'Keeping Children Safe in Education'. This involves conducting enhanced DBS checks, including checks against the children's barred list, and other employment verifications, including an online presence review for shortlisted candidates.
We embrace diversity, recognising the valuable perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and cultures individuals from different backgrounds bring. Committed to safeguarding, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

£36,955 per year
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Contract Type:

Permanent, Full-Time 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year
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Campus:

Lackham Campus
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Outstanding Benefits
Local Government Pension Scheme
30 days paid annual leave plus 8 days paid bank holidays
College closure and wellbeing days, including a 2-week paid Christmas closure
Electric Vehicle Scheme
Employee Assistance Programme
Free On-Site Gyms
Lifestyle Discounts
Cycle-to-Work Scheme
Professional Development and career progression