Head of Student Success

Are you an influential leader with a passion for supporting student participation and success in higher education?

Birkbeck, University of London, is seeking a new Head of Student Success to lead its work to improve student engagement, retention and attainment across its diverse student body.

As a member of the Education and Student Experience Directorate’s senior team, you will have an exciting opportunity to manage and develop Birkbeck’s Student Success Team and shape its work to improve student outcomes.

The Head of Student Success leads the design, delivery and evaluation of strategic initiatives to improve student engagement, retention and success at Birkbeck. This includes overseeing the implementation and evaluation of Birkbeck’s Access and Participation Plan and future initiatives to support equality of outcomes for students.

The role works in collaboration with academic and professional support staff from across the institution to promote student success and to improve and close attainment gaps across the student life cycle. It is offered on a permanent, full time (35 hours a week), hybrid contract with a salary of £64,290 rising to £71,792 per year. 

As Head of Student Success, you will oversee the development and implementation of Birkbeck’s commitments as a University of Sanctuary covering a range of initiatives aimed at widening access to education, supporting and welcoming forced migrants into the community. You will also work with the Development and Alumni Office to identify fundraising opportunities in line with Birkbeck’s values and strategic ambitions for student transition, engagement and success.

To succeed in the role, you will be educated to degree level with a comprehensive knowledge of education policy and current trends in higher education with an understanding of the barriers and challenges to success faced by non-traditional students and those starting university with vocational qualifications.

You will have proven leadership and management experience with the ability to create an effective team culture in order to plan, monitor and deliver objectives on time, within budget and to a high standard. You will be suited to this role if you have experience of delivering teaching and learning strategies in a higher education setting, and are comfortable working with data to inform institutional decision-making and the evaluation of student success initiatives.

This opportunity would build on experience as: Access and Participation Plan Manager, Student Success Manager, Learning and Teaching Strategy Manager. If you are interested in making a difference within the Education and Student Experience Directorate at Birkbeck - apply with us today. 

Salary and benefits: £64,290 rising to £71,792 per annum. Grade 9 on the College's London Pay Scale which includes a consolidated London Weighting Allowance. 

Benefits of working at Birkbeck: a competitive salary and pension scheme, 31 days paid leave, flexible working arrangements, generous benefits in the HE sector, and being located in the heart of Bloomsbury, Euston, London.

Contract:
Permanent contract, full-time, (35 hours a week), with a flexible and hybrid working pattern - two days on site and in-person meetings, training and events (including student orientation) will be on site at Bloomsbury also. Please submit a CV and statement for consideration. Closing date: Friday 19 February 2026, interview date: Monday 2 March 2026. 

Enquiries:

If you would like to know more about the role, please contact Suzie Morris (Director of Education and Student Experience) by email suzie.morris@bbk.ac.uk.

If you have difficulty using the recruitment portal, please contact jobs@bbk.ac.uk providing your name and the job reference number of the position. While we are happy to respond to all informal enquiries, only formal applications through the online system will be considered.

We welcome applicants from all sections of the community and backgrounds to apply www.bbk.ac.uk/jobs. The College is committed to improving the gender and cultural diversity of its workforce, holding an Athena SWAN award and operating Disability Confident & Mindful Employer schemes.