SENIOR ACCOMMODATION OFFICER

at  Buckinghamshire New University

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Senior Accommodation Officer
Faculty/Directorate: Directorate of Student Success
Grade: F
Location: High Wycombe Campus
Hours: 37 (Full time)
Responsible to: Accommodation Manager
Responsible for: Accommodation Administrator and Senior Residents

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

Experience and/or excellent understanding of HE and student Issues
A / I
Experience of providing excellent customer service
A / I
Experience of non-Access database use
A / I
Supervisory experience
A / I
Experience of dealing with difficult situations in a professional manner
A / I
Experience of conflict resolution and crisis management
A / I

SKILLS

Ability to work effectively with a range of people
A / I
Excellent MS Word and Excel skills and experience in using databases
A / I / T
Able to work effectively in a Team
A / I
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
A / I
Excellent planning and organisational skills
A / I
Ability to problem solve and make decisions on own initiative
A / I
Numeracy skills with the ability to carry out financial transactions and balance accounts
A / I
Data analysis skills
A / I
Web page management skills
A / I
Ability to work calmly and constructively under pressure
A / I

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be prepared to work overtime at peak times and for events.
I
Leave Restrictions in summer from Clearing to 2nd week of term in September/October
I
Must be prepared to work at the Uxbridge or Aylesbury Campuses on occasion.
I

JOB PURPOSE:

To ensure that the Accommodation Service provides an effective and professional operational service to it’s residents.
To directly manage the Accommodation Administrator and Senior Residents in order to provide services to halls and private sector areas/residents. To work with the wider accommodation team, contributing to the efficient and effective provision of Accommodation Services.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ROLE:

• Effectively respond to customers, providing excellent customer service at all times.
• Manage the Accommodation Service’s digital presence, including social media (Facebook) and manage the service’s web pages. Undertake design work using Adobe.
• Manage service feedback; obtaining feedback when necessary and investigating, assessing and responding to complaints and appeals from residents. Maintain records and produce management information for reports and processes.
• Manage the discipline provision in halls of residence, meeting students and issuing warnings as necessary.
• Oversee welfare issues that arise in the halls of residence relating to students, reporting on concerns or issues and liaising with the Wellbeing Team to enable them to provide any necessary services.
• Manage lifestyle and health and safety issues in halls of residence to support students and ensure compliance, as necessary.
• Manage the Senior Resident team in halls of residence, including recruitment, training, ongoing support and performance management.
• Manage the private sector service provision. Implementing and maintaining the system, monitoring properties and advising students and landlords. Develop online and in person support service for students requiring support.
• Build relationships with local accommodation providers and landlords to better support students living outside of halls. Plan and manage any housing fairs.
• Maintain an appropriate level of knowledge in areas of legislation, policies and practices relevant to housing law and student accommodation, and to share this information where necessary.
• Manage and oversee the representation of the Accommodation Service at Open Days and online to ensure optimum student recruitment.
• Responsible for the setup and testing for Room Service (computer system to manage accommodation).
• Liaise with other departments within the University, as well as external organisations and members of the public, on accommodation-related matters.
• Provide some out of hours support when necessary.
• Deputise for the Accommodation Manager when required.
• Line management responsibilities including recruitment and selection, performance management, professional development, motivation, health & safety and wellbeing.
• Comply with relevant legislative and other requirements (e.g., the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR; Health and Safety; UKVI; and Equality and Diversity) in all working practices.
• Such other duties temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required.