Head Porter

Working for this Cambridge based college you will have overall strategic direction, in conjunction with the Assistant Bursar, for student Accommodation, Porters’ Lodge and Housekeeping functions, have oversight and provide support to the Porters’ Lodge team, proactively developing the leadership capability. Close oversight of the Housekeeping department and student accommodation services to ensure they have the capability and capacity to meet College requirements, support the Housekeeping Manager and Deputy Head Porter in planning staffing resources effectively and efficiently throughout the year, support the Housekeeping Manager and have close liaison with the Conference Office, planning resources and logistics to support housekeeping services for summer schools, conferences and outreach events, staff development and training, including undertaking annual appraisals of direct reports and ensure all departments provide high and consistent service standards. To develop a service charter, monitor and review the quality of services with the aim of achieving continuous improvement. 

Other responsibilities include:
 
Student Services and Relations

• Throughout the areas of responsibility, develop a culture of supporting students and good ‘customer service’. Giving due care and attention to the health, welfare and security of College Members and student members in particular. Become acquainted with student members and develop sensitive but firm relations with them.

• Working as part of the College Student Welfare Team, liaise with the Senior Tutor and other Student Welfare Team members (including Tutors and the Dean) on matters relating to the welfare and pastoral care of students. Working closely to ensure the good management of the student body as a whole. 

• Provide guidance, maintain discipline and direction where necessary, ensuring that all incidents concerning student welfare and discipline are reported to the appropriate College Officers (i.e. the Senior Tutor for pastoral matters and the Dean for disciplinary matters) at the earliest opportunity. Act as the ‘first line’ for student discipline in accordance with College Rules and take action in liaison with the Dean and Tutors.

• With the Accommodation Coordinator to actively seek feedback from students on the quality of the services provided through the Student Survey 

• Maintain regular formal and informal student communications in conjunction with the Assistant Bursar and Academic Office 

• Through regular contact and working with student members, develop and promote ideas for enhancement of the ‘student experience’ within College

• Working closely with the Head of Building Services and other Heads of Department as necessary to review policies and procedures which affect student rooms or other student facilities

 
Financial Management

• Working with the Assistant Bursar to forecast student accommodation annual income

• To prepare annual expenditure budgets, in conjunction with the Senior Bursar and Assistant Bursar

• To carefully control departmental expenditure, including staffing, contracts and other supplies. In conjunction with the Housekeeping Manager, ensure appropriate suppliers are effectively used and reviewed regularly 

• To use all resources available (financial, human and physical) effectively and efficiently whilst maximising accommodation income and achieving the highest service standards

 
Compliance
 

• Working in close liaison with the Conference Office, ensure all events comply with the College PREVENT duty

• In conjunction with the Assistant Bursar and Accommodation Coordinator to oversee tenancy matters and ensuring compliance with student housing legislation and local authority requirements

• Acting as Fire Officer for the College working closely with the College Health & Safety Officer to ensure compliance with legislation and regulation requirements. To include, but not limited to: develop and maintain a suitable fire management system, ensure risk assessments are carried out, safe systems of work and a safe working environment within the areas of responsibility

• Manage the Closed Circuit TV system in College in conjunction with the Head of IT, ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation. Review and implementation of the College CCTV policy

• Awareness of Personal Alcohol License requirements in conjunction with the Head of Catering Services and DBS requirements

• Ensuring compliance with waste management regulations and WEEE Directive, working with other departments

 
Other duties and responsibilities

• Main point of contact for Fellows with domestic queries and refurbishment requests

• Recruitment and selection of staff appropriate to the area of responsibility or as appropriate supporting direct reports in recruitment

• Supporting the upkeep of the fabric of the College buildings and room furnishing including being part of the planning programmes for refurbishments. Planning and overseeing furniture and soft furnishing refurbishments
• Working with relevant Committees to develop plans to improve the physical Porters’ Lodge

Please call Julie for a full job description