Community Standards & Engagement Manager

Reporting to the Head of Community Engagement, the Community Standards and Engagement Manager (CSEM) will be responsible for the ongoing development and delivery of the Residence Life programme that supports student wellbeing, belonging, inclusion and success within accommodation. The role will support students' transition into and out of University accommodation and be responsible for the day-to-day management of community development, student engagement, wellbeing interventions, conduct processes and community standards.

To assist in the delivery of the Residence Life programme, the role holder will manage a team of Residence Life Professional Staff and Residence Assistants who provide proactive, responsive and student-focused community engagement, wellbeing support and developmental opportunities. The role holder will ensure effective support is available to students living in accommodation, promoting positive community living, successful independent living and early engagement where concerns arise.

An important part of the role will involve liaising with colleagues across the University to build strong relationships, develop collaborative programmes and support pathways, and ensure service delivery is as seamless as possible. Internally, the CSEM will work closely with Accommodation and institutional colleagues to enhance the residential student experience and support institutional priorities relating to wellbeing, retention, belonging and positive behaviour.

The business operates 24/7 and is both fast-paced and demanding, requiring the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously. As a front-line manager within the department, the role holder will be responsible for providing leadership and support on resident wellbeing, conduct and community matters, participating in a year-round 24/7 on-call rotation and working evenings and weekends as required.

The role requires flexibility to meet the demands of the business, including evening and weekend working and participation in a duty management rota where required.

The Community Standards & Engagement Manager is required to lead and participate in student arrivals, departures, open days, applicant days and other key University and accommodation events.

There is a requirement to participate in a year-round out-of-hours on-call rota to provide advice, support and attend on-site where required.

The role requires regular visibility and engagement across University residences and the wider campus community, and will engage in backshifts during peak periods, as well as be required to work some weekends and evenings to attend departmental and institutional events.

Lead and manage Residence Supervisors and Residence Assistants, providing effective leadership, coaching, support and performance management

Lead the recruitment, selection, induction, training and performance management of Residence Assistants and, where applicable, seasonal staff, ensuring ongoing development programmes are in place to support role effectiveness, engagement and service delivery

Hold regular one-to-one meetings, team meetings and performance reviews to support staff development, accountability and service excellence

Ensure staff are appropriately trained in wellbeing awareness, accessibility, inclusion, safeguarding, risk management and restorative approaches to conflict resolution

Manage staffing arrangements to ensure appropriate deployment of resources across residence life activities, wellbeing interventions, conduct processes and key accommodation events

Manage HR processes including attendance, performance, discipline, grievance and payroll administration in accordance with University and SHS policy

Lead the development and delivery of a diverse Residence Life programme that supports engagement, belonging, wellbeing and student success throughout the resident lifecycle

Co-create and deliver a residential curriculum, educational initiatives and engagement strategy, incorporating resident feedback and representation opportunities

Establish effective communications and engagement channels that provide residents with timely information, support resources and opportunities throughout the student lifecycle

Maintain a visible presence across University accommodation, building positive relationships with residents and supporting community development.

Lead Residence Life contributions to institutional engagement and transition initiatives including Be Connected

Build strong relationships with internal and external partners to support community wellbeing, successful independent living and collaborative initiatives

Lead and coordinate accommodation-based wellbeing, conduct and community standards interventions, ensuring appropriate support, referrals and follow-up actions are implemented

Oversee residential wellbeing, conduct and community support cases, ensuring a consistent, fair and supportive approach is applied

Lead the operational management of occupancy breaches, student conduct matters and community standards issues arising within residences, escalating to the Heads of teams and Director of Accommodation Services as required

Visit residences where required to address welfare concerns, anti-social behaviour, flat disputes and other community-related issues, meeting with students to agree actions and interventions

Manage the Residence Life budget, ensuring resources are allocated effectively and expenditure remains within agreed limits and supports service objectives

Oversee Residence Life systems and administrative processes, including Residence Assistant activities, incident reporting, case management, engagement records, communications and programme delivery

Produce management information and performance reports relating to engagement, wellbeing, conduct, community standards, resident issues and service delivery, using data and insight to support continuous improvement and service development

Educated to HNC level or equivalent relevant experience (in addition to the experience noted below)

Significant management experience within a large, complex organisation, ideally within higher education, student accommodation, hospitality or another customer-facing environment

Experience of developing services, programmes or initiatives that enhance student engagement, wellbeing, community experience or customer service

Experience of conflict management, mediation, conduct processes and dispute resolution

Excellent crisis management, decision-making and problem-solving skills

Experience of leading, developing and motivating teams

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build effective relationships with students, staff and stakeholders

Experience of reviewing services, identifying trends and using data to inform decision-making and service improvement

Experience and competence in using Microsoft Office applications and digital management systems

Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgement and manage competing priorities

Demonstrable experience in a student-facing environment, in one or more of the following areas: supporting wellbeing, conduct, accessibility and inclusion, student support, community development or student experience initiatives

Knowledge and understanding of student development, wellbeing and inclusion within residential communities

Knowledge and understanding of student conduct processes, occupancy agreements and community standards

Knowledge of safeguarding, risk assessment and student referral processes.

Mental Health First Aid, ASIST, SafeTALK or equivalent wellbeing-related training

Experience of using an Accommodation Management System, case management system or equivalent platform

Experience of managing services across multiple locations

Full time Open ended

The closing date for applications is midnight on Wednesday 14 October 2026. Interviews are expected to take place on Friday 23 October 2026.

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

This role will require a Level 1 Disclosure check. An offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory outcome of this process.

This post may be eligible for sponsorship, depending on candidate circumstances, under SOC code 1251.

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.

Managing self and personal skills Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.

Delivering excellent service Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.

Finding solutions Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.

Embracing change Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.

Using resources effectively Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.

Engaging with the wider context Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.

Developing self and others Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.

Working together Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.

Achieving Results Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.

The University of Stirling is Scottish University of the Year 2027 and UK Sports University of the Year 2027 (Daily Mail University Guide).

The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe. Driven by our mission to be the difference, we are addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society.

The University has more than 17,500 students globally and employs 1,500 staff, with more than 140 nationalities represented within our community. Our campus environment is ranked first in the UK and top 10 in the world, and our sports facilities rank first in the UK and second in the world (International Student Barometer 2024, wave two), reflecting our long-standing designation as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence.

We are proud holders of a Silver institutional award from the Athena Swan Charter, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality. We have an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings and, in recognition of our excellence in business education, we are accredited by AACSB International.

Eighty-seven per cent of our research has an outstanding or very considerable impact on society, with more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021), and we are ranked among the top 200 institutions in the world for our contribution to meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We have twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize; for our Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and our Institute of Aquaculture (2019).

Alongside partners, the University spearheads the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal – which will deliver major University-led projects, the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub and Scotland’s International Environment Centre. We are also a central partner in the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.

www.stir.ac.uk @stiruni