Job description

Position Details

Dubai Professional Services

Discipline: Student Experience and Wellbeing

University of Birmingham, Dubai campus

Salary: Competitive 

Grade: 6

No. of positions: 1

Full time

Duration: 3-years fixed contract (renewable at the University’s discretion) 

Location: Dubai, UAE

Closing date: 25th August 2026

University of Birmingham Dubai

Having established ourselves in Dubai International Academic City in 2018 we have now moved to our new state-of-the-art campus which opened in Sept 2021. These posts represent an excellent opportunity to join an ambitious World Top 100 University as we continue to grow our long-term strategic mission in Dubai, the UAE and the wider region. Our campus reflects the very best of Birmingham through our presence in Dubai.

Background

Professional Services Ethos 

Our ethos as a Professional Services team has been developed in line with the principles of being a Birmingham Professional. In particular here in Dubai this means that all Professional Services colleagues seek to collaborate effectively to ensure the needs of the whole campus community and our stakeholders are met. It also means that we work constructively together to provide a flexible range of service and support that adapt to the changing needs of the Campus as we grow. There are specific focal points in the academic cycle when all Professional Services team members will be expected to contribute regardless of their primary role, for example Welcome or Graduation. In addition, the duties listed below are illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of this post which is likely to change over time in response to the needs of the Campus and as you develop your experience and skills. You will have the opportunity to develop and may also need to specialise your duties further, over time, in agreement with your manager. 

In order to contribute to the success of the team and the University’s vision for the Dubai Campus the Professional Services team will be seeking to continue to recruit and develop colleagues who display:

• a high level of intellectual aptitude;
• strong agility and a portfolio of skills that can adapt to meet changing circumstances;
• an innovative and creative mind-set; and 
• both an enterprising and entrepreneurial nature to support our growth and pursuit of excellence.

Department Overview

The Services and Support thematic area will focus on providing all students with the University of Birmingham Dubai with a wide range of high quality services and support. Working collaboratively with academic and professional services colleagues, the department delivers a holistic, student-centred approach that enhances student success, wellbeing, engagement and belonging across the entire student journey. 

Key areas of responsibility include: 

• Student wellbeing, welfare, safeguarding and early intervention support 
• Inclusive information, advice and guidance that supports student success
• Welcome week and induction activities 
• Programme administration support and services 
• Collaboration with Academic skills support 
• Work with Careers on employability skills and graduate outcomes
• General student administration through to graduation support

Role Summary

The post holder will be responsible for enhancing the student experience by designing, delivering and evaluating inclusive, student-centred initiatives that support student wellbeing, engagement, belonging and success. The role will provide proactive wellbeing and welfare support, guidance and advice to students, while leading and contributing to a range of student experience activities including pre-arrival, Welcome, induction, transition programmes, wellbeing initiatives, student engagement activities and Students’ Association programmes.

The post holder will contribute to the delivery of wellbeing and welfare services, including managing sensitive student cases, providing early intervention support, assessing individual needs and making appropriate referrals. The role will also support the development of wellbeing campaigns, student engagement initiatives and inclusive practices that promote resilience, community and holistic student development.

Working under the strategic direction of the Head of Student Wellbeing and Experience, and in partnership with the University’s Students’ Association and wider professional services teams, the post holder will contribute to the development of a supportive and inclusive campus environment where students are empowered to thrive academically, personally and socially.

The role has a specific strategic focus on enhancing services and engagement opportunities for the postgraduate student community, while continuing to support and enhance the experience of all students, including undergraduate students. Responsibilities include embedding innovative and inclusive approaches across the University through collaboration, networking, training and sharing good practice. The post holder will work closely with colleagues across the University of Birmingham Dubai and Edgbaston campus to support a consistent, high-quality student experience and contribute to continuous improvement through student insight, feedback and service evaluation.

During teaching terms, the post holder will be required to work flexibly to meet the needs of the student community and the delivery of student experience activities. The working pattern include Saturday and Sunday working, with two weekday rest days provided. The role requires flexibility throughout the academic year to respond to changing student needs, key university events and periods of increased student engagement activity.

Outside of teaching terms, the working pattern will normally align with standard University working arrangements, with flexibility required to support key activities and operational priorities as needed.

The role requires flexibility to support the University's student experience throughout the academic year.

General

• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
• Actively manages equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenging unacceptable behaviour.
• Undertake continuous personal and professional development.

Main Duties

Student Experience Support

• Use student insight, feedback, surveys, focus groups and engagement data to identify emerging needs, evaluate impact and inform the continuous improvement of the student experience.
• Lead and contribute to the planning and delivery of Welcome, induction, transition and pre-arrival programmes that support students to successfully integrate into university life and achieve a positive start to their academic journey.
• Develop and deliver inclusive wellbeing campaigns, workshops and engagement initiatives that promote resilience, personal development, community and a positive sense of belonging.
• Work collaboratively with academic and professional services colleagues to embed student wellbeing, engagement and success within the wider student experience, supporting retention, continuation and positive student outcomes.
• Partner with the Students' Association to develop and deliver an engaging programme of co-curricular activities, student leadership opportunities and events that enrich the student experience and foster an inclusive campus community.
• Lead and support the planning and delivery of University-wide and campus events, ensuring activities reflect the needs of a diverse student community and contribute to student engagement and success.
• Develop and coordinate timely, accessible and engaging student communications that promote awareness of opportunities, services and support available throughout the student journey.
• Provide proactive guidance and first-line support to students through the Student Hub and other points of contact, identifying individual needs, promoting self-help and referring students to appropriate specialist services where required.
• Build effective partnerships across the University to ensure a coordinated and holistic approach to supporting student wellbeing, engagement and academic success.

Wellbeing Support

• Provide guidance, support and advice to students on matters relating to wellbeing through one-to-one advice appointments, drop-in and via communication.
• Assess the effectiveness of student wellbeing campaigns and activities, using feedback to adapt and refine future initiatives for continuous improvement.
• Deliver proactive early intervention by assessing student needs, identifying potential risks and implementing appropriate support plans to enable students to overcome barriers to engagement, progression and academic success.
• Provide advice and guidance to Students of Determination /Disabled Students and liaising with the UK based Disability Service to implement reasonable adjustments and access requirements.
• Coordinate and deliver regular wellbeing drop-in sessions, ensuring students have accessible opportunities to seek guidance and support throughout the academic year.
• Manage student enquiries through the University's case management system, ensuring accurate and professional responses in line with service standards.
• Complete all reporting activities in a timely manner to inform and support in identifying potential risk and proactive activities.
• Provide guidance and support to students in considering and responding to requests for extensions and extenuating circumstances and other wellbeing related processes.
• Support students and refer them to the appropriate support services as required, for example student mental health and wellbeing services, including exchange students from partner institutions and/or other UoB campuses.
• Provide advice and support to academic colleagues on student wellbeing matters, including Reasonable Adjustments, Extenuating Circumstances and other student support processes, to ensure a coordinated and consistent approach.
• Liaise with, and refer students to the wider support services and specialist services in the University and externally, such as counselling services.

Additional responsibilities

• To undertake such other duties as may be required from time to time, to further the work of the wellbeing services and the development of the student experience, or the University.
• Assist the Recruitment and Outreach process and events when required (i.e. Open days)
• Take the initiative to develop partnerships with external organizations, other universities, and career development networks to provide students with access to a broader range of opportunities and support services.
• Undertake continuous personal and professional growth and development by actively seeking and engaging in development opportunities.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Educated to degree level or equivalent professional qualification(s).
• Significant experience of working in a professional environment; relevant experience of supporting young adults in a Higher Education is desirable. 
• Understanding of the principles of Safeguarding in relation to adults at risk and under 18s, including knowledge of the Office for Students requirements in relation to harassment and sexual violence.
• High level of knowledge of good practice in relation to disability and mental health within a Higher Education environment.
• Good understanding of current trends and developments in relation to student wellbeing.
• Significant experience of organising a large scale programme of events.
• Experience of supporting students in relation to welfare issues.
• Strong understanding of the student experience, issues, and the student lifecycle and journey.
• Significant knowledge and experience of writing communications for a variety of different audiences.
• Working knowledge of standard and/or advanced Microsoft Office software.
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day-to-day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.
• Actively promotes equality and diversity to internal stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and rapport with a diverse student population.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Experience of developing interventions to address equality and diversity issues.
• A recognised qualification or professional training in mental health, wellbeing or similar is desirable. 

Internal and External relationships

• Chief Operating Officer
• Deputy Director of Operations
• Head of Wellbeing and Student Experience
• Student Experience and Wellbeing Manager (line manager)
• Student Experience team (Dubai)
• Student and Programme Administration team (Dubai)
• Colleagues across Dubai campus – Professional Services and Academic 
• Colleagues in UK campus – including Academic Services, Colleges and central PS teams, Disability Services
• External partners – including regional government agencies, regulatory bodies, educational and health-related organisations. 

In return, you will receive a competitive package and play a key role in our ambitious University’s expansion as we enhance our international reputation and global footprint.

Use of AI in applications: We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.

View our staff values and behaviours here

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.