Associate Director Complex Safeguarding and Risk Student Services

Overview

In this role you will provide strategic and operational leadership for safeguarding, complex risk management and critical incident response across the University. You’ll act as the senior operational lead for safeguarding, coordinating services and guiding senior leaders on sensitive cases. You will shape the safeguarding framework, drive improvements, and build strong partnerships to protect students and support institutional resilience. This is a high-impact, cross-institutional leadership position within Student Services.

Responsibilities

• Lead safeguarding leadership and assurance, overseeing safeguarding frameworks and ensuring regulatory compliance
• Oversee complex risk and case management, coordinate high-risk student cases, chair risk panels and escalate institutional risks
• Provide operational leadership during critical incidents and emergencies, coordinating multi-service responses
• Foster partnerships across the University and with external agencies to influence strategic decisions
• Provide expert advice to senior leaders on safeguarding and complex risk matters
• Translate strategic priorities into effective operational practice and promote a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement

Key requirements

• Substantial experience of safeguarding, complex risk management and leading services within a large, complex organisation
• Strong professional judgment and ability to make decisions under pressure
• Experience managing high-risk and complex cases and leading responses to critical incidents
• Proven ability to work with multiple stakeholders and external agencies
• Understanding of safeguarding, welfare, mental health and institutional risk management in higher education
• Skilled in relationship-building, influencing senior colleagues and constructive challenge

• Relationship-building
• Influencing senior stakeholders
• Collaborative mindset
• Safeguarding frameworks and compliance
• Complex risk management and case oversight
• Critical incident coordination and institutional resilience

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