Head of Campus Experience

An exciting opportunity has arisen at Oaklands for a Head of Campus Experience to provide strategic leadership and operational management of the College’s security/customer experience ambassador and campus safety provision, ensuring a safe, secure and welcoming environment for students, staff and visitors. The postholder will lead the development and delivery of an integrated, intelligence led security strategy, aligned to safeguarding, Prevent, health & safety, and business continuity requirements. This includes responsibility for risk management, incident response, emergency planning, and continuous service improvement, ensuring the College meets all statutory and regulatory obligations while enhancing the student experience. Key Responsibilities * Strategic Leadership Lead and manage the daytime, termtime security and customer experience teams, ensuring effective deployment of staff and resources. Oversee all security operations, including: - Access control and ID systems - CCTV and surveillance - Incident reporting and investigation Ensure delivery of a professional, visible and student-centred security/customer experience ambassador presence across all sites Provide a visible leadership presence through daily meet and greet arrangements at the start and end of each College day, ensuring students, staff and visitors are welcomed, supported and monitored appropriately. * Inclusion, Equality and Student Experience Work in partnership with Safeguarding teams to ensure security services: - Support student safety and wellbeing - Follow a trauma informed approach - Contribute to incident management, missing learners, and vulnerability response - Act as key 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 Lead on security risk assessments across all campuses, identifying vulnerabilities and mitigation strategies Ensure compliance with: - Health & Safety legislation - Security and data protection regulations - College policies and procedures Develop and maintain security policies, protocols, and standard operating procedures * Incident Management & Emergency Planning Act as a senior lead for major incidents and emergency response, including: Critical incident command. Liaison with emergency services. Develop and test business continuity and emergency plans. Lead post‑incident reviews and continuous improvement activity. Develop of weekly report that identifies themes and hot spots and produce intervention strategies. to evidence impact. * Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships Build strong relationships with: - Police, local authorities and emergency services - Internal stakeholders (curriculum, safeguarding, estates) Represent the College in local safety partnerships and intelligence networks * Contracts and Resource Management Manage budgets, ensuring value for money and service effectiveness Oversee procurement and performance of external security contractors and SLAs as required. Develop KPIs to monitor service performance and drive improvement * Digital Data and AI Enabled Practice Lead development of modern, intelligence-led security systems and processes. Benchmark against sector best practice and drive innovation. Introduce new technologies (e.g. digital reporting, integrated systems). * Leadership and People Management Lead, manage and develop the security team, ensuring: - High professional standards and conduct - Ongoing training and CPD - Strong performance management culture Promote a customer-focused, inclusive and supportive culture. Develop and implement 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. security management, public services, facilities, risk management). Evidence of continuous professional development (CPD) in security, safety, or leadership. Recognised security, risk management or health & safety qualification (e.g. NEBOSH, IOSH, security management certification) or willingness to work towards. 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 security strategy with organisational priorities and student experience. 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 in emergency situations. High level of attention to detail and commitment to compliance and standards. Ability to build effective relationships across departments (particularly safeguarding, estates, student services). Experience of working collaboratively with external stakeholders and partner agencies. Experience Significant experience in a senior security or safety leadership role, ideally across a multi-site or complex organisation. Proven track record of leading and managing operational security services, including 24/7 environments. Experience of developing and implementing security strategies, policies and procedures. Demonstrable experience of risk assessment, threat analysis and mitigation planning. Experience managing staff teams, contractors and outsourced service provision Proven experience of budget management and financial accountability Experience of working with external partners such as: - Police - Emergency services - Local authorities Experience of managing and responding to critical incidents and emergencies Knowledge Specific to Role Strong understanding of: - Security operations and systems (CCTV, access control, alarms, incident reporting) - Risk management principles and security frameworks Working knowledge of relevant legislation and regulatory requirements, including: - Health and Safety legislation - Data protection and information security principles Understanding of emergency planning, crisis management and business continuity Knowledge of safeguarding principles, with an understanding of the role of security in protecting vulnerable individuals Awareness of Prevent Duty and associated responsibilities Understanding of customer service standards within public-facing 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!