The Opportunity

Leading the approach to ensuring a safe, inclusive and thriving university community

At Keele University, community is at the heart of everything we do. Set within one of the UK's largest and most distinctive campus environments, we are committed to creating a place where students, colleagues and visitors feel safe and supported.

We are seeking an experienced and collaborative Head of Community Safety and Security, a significant leadership position for a service that is integral to the student and staff experience.

This is not simply a security role. It is an opportunity to lead a service that combines community safety, student support, safeguarding, partnership working and operational resilience.

You will bring significant leadership experience from a large or complex organisation and a track record of leading managers and multidisciplinary teams. You will understand the challenges involved in delivering high profile services where safety, customer experience, operational resilience and effective risk management all matter.

As a key leader within Student Services, you will lead the University's 24/7 Community Safety and Security function, driving a modern, proactive, inclusive and people-centred approach to safety and incident response.

You will ensure that our campus remains a welcoming, inclusive and secure environment, while supporting the University's ambitions to deliver an outstanding student experience.

Working closely with the University Warden and senior colleagues across the institution, you will lead our approach to campus safety, crime prevention and out-of-hours support for the response to student crises and safeguarding concerns. You will be key to supporting our approach to emergency preparedness, major incident management, business continuity and compliance with Martyn's Law.

Ensuring effective, compassionate and professional support when it matters most will require strong partnership working, both within and beyond the University and you will develop and strengthen relationships with the emergency services, local authorities and community partners, influencing strategy and ensuring Keele remains at the forefront of good practice in community safety and security.

Leading a skilled and dedicated team, you will foster a culture of professionalism, inclusion, innovation and continuous improvement. You will embrace new technologies, develop preventative approaches to safety and wellbeing, and ensure that our services meet external requirements and evolve to meet the changing needs of our diverse university community.

Whether supporting major university events, developing innovative safety initiatives, or helping students when they need it the most, your leadership will help create an environment where people feel they belong, can achieve their potential and are empowered to thrive.

If you are an experienced leader with a passion for community safety, partnership working and delivering exceptional services, we would love to hear from you.

Join Keele and help shape a safe, inclusive and thriving community for all.

The Benefits

The University recognises that its success depends upon the contribution and dedication of its talented staff.

In return, we have a competitive benefits package available, including:

• Competitive rate of pay with annual increments within the Grade 8 (Keele Spine)
• Generous annual leave entitlement with opportunities to purchase additional leave
• Excellent staff pension scheme
• Access to continued personal, professional and career development
• On site 'outstanding' nursery
• Discounted health & fitness facilities on site
• Cycle to work scheme (subject to eligibility)

Please note that the starting salary will typically be at the bottom of the pay scale shown above

The University is committed to operating flexible working practices wherever possible.

The University

Keele University is renowned for its exciting approach to higher education, innovative research, beautiful campus, strong community spirit and excellent student experience.

With a turnover in excess of £170 million, over 12,500 students and a total staff of approximately 2000, the University provides high quality teaching across a wide range of academic and vocational subjects and promotes world-class research. Further information can be found at https://www.keele.ac.uk/about/

Keele University values equality and diversity across our workforce and to ensuring our staff community is reflective of the diversity of our student population. In support of these commitments the University welcomes applications from individuals of Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds for all roles.

Please note this appointment is subject to both medical clearance by the University's Occupational Health provider and a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check.

How to Apply

For full post details and to find out more about working at Keele please visit: www.keele.ac.uk/vacancies

Keele University employees wishing to apply should login to Employee Self Service and click on the 'View current vacancies' link.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Carl Hambleton-Ratcliffe, University Warden at [email protected]. Applications to this address will not be accepted.

Closing Date: 24th November 202

Interviews will be held on: 18th December 2026

Post reference: KU00005512