Head Porter

Job Description

• Lead and manage the Lodge as a 24/7 student-facing operation, ensuring a consistently professional, supportive, and inclusive service Conduct and maintain risk assessments within area of responsibility 
• Act as a key point of pastoral contact, particularly out of hours, responding appropriately to student concerns and incidents
• Build trusted relationships with students through day-to-day interaction, visibility, and approachability 
• Support the Dean and welfare teams with minor disciplinary, behavioural, and welfare matters, escalating appropriately 
• Ensure Lodge staff are trained and confident in responding to welfare concerns, emergencies, and sensitive situations 
• Maintain strict confidentiality and exercise sound judgement in line with College and University guidance 
• Contribute to a sense of safety, belonging, and community within the College

• Support the Dean with minor disciplinary and behavioural matters 
• Build positive relationships with students and staff to support College community 
• Act as liaison between welfare teams and the Domestic Bursary 
• Escalate serious welfare concerns in line with college policy 
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with university guidance 

• Lead health & safety compliance across the day to day running of college 
• Ensure the required compliance for legionella control and asbestos management documents and updated information is readily available within the lodge, ensuring regular audits and controls have taken place.
• Conduct and maintain risk assessments 
• Record and report accidents, incidents, and near misses to the Health & Safety Committee, report regularly on safety and security to the committee.
• Liaise with the Domestic Bursar and departmental managers on inspections and audits 

• Manage all fire safety arrangements across the estate, planned evacuations and record keeping
• Implement and monitor fire safety systems, equipment checks, and remedial actions 
• Develop, review, and maintain emergency procedures (e.g. fire and evacuation plans) 
• Undertake fire risk assessments and liaise with Fire Service and external advisors 

• Oversee security arrangements across all College sites 
• Implement and review crime prevention measures 
• Manage operational aspects of CCTV (technical elements managed by IT) 
• Maintain security systems including Salto access control and physical keys (with IT support) 
• Investigate incidents in liaison with the Dean, senior staff, HR, and external authorities where required 

• Oversee and line manage the lodge manager/supervisor.
• Work closely with both the Clerk of works and Assistant clerk of works on infrastucture projects and day to day operations 
• Ensure contractor safe working practices 
• Oversee out-of-hours call-out systems for emergency response 

• Regularly meet with Dean/Sub Dean in support of Decanal/Welfare matters
• Communicate day to day maintenance works effectively to minimise disruption 
• Liaise with internal stakeholders and external bodies (e.g. Alumni, Welfare, HODs, Council, Fire Service) 

• Monitor and record Lodge expenditure 
• Monitor and record day to day workshop expenditure 
• Contribute to annual budget planning with the Domestic Bursar 
• Authorise expenditure within agreed limits and maintain budgetary control 
• Provide accurate financial information for invoicing and payments 

• Provide DSE advisory support across the College 
• Support departments in preparing risk assessments where required
• Ensure good record keeping is upheld, and regular audits are recorded from patrols and the required reporting and actions are complete
• Undertake additional duties as required by the Domestic Bursar 

Person Specification & Criteria

• At least 3–5 years of management experience 
• Experience of both providing welfare support and supporting welfare teams 
• In-depth and up-to-date knowledge of UK health and safety legislation (e.g., HASAWA 1974, RIDDOR, COSHH) 
• Experience conducting and documenting comprehensive risk assessments, fire safety audits, and emergency evacuation procedures 
• Strong budget management, including procurement and cost-control experience 
• Strong organisational skills with attention to detail and ability to work under pressure 
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing 
• First aid trained 
•  Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office packages such as Word and Excel 
• Ability to prepare accurate records, reports and correspondence 
• Understanding of the importance of confidentiality and discretion 
• Experience running CCTV systems and access control and the role of the DPO Essential 
• IOSH Managing safely

•  MHFA qualification 
• Experience of working in a college, university or similar environment 
• Experience at reporting at committee level 
• A NEBOSH Diploma or a higher-level qualification in Facilities Management