Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Salary: £48,149 to £57,422 per annum
Post Type: Full Time
Contract Type: Ongoing
Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship: Available
Release Date: Monday, 28 April 2025
Closing Date: Sunday, 11 May 2025
Interview Date: Thursday, 05 June 2025
Overview
The University of Leeds is seeking an experienced Head of Workplace Counselling to lead and enhance our workplace counselling and wellbeing services. This is a key leadership role within the Health and Wellbeing team, offering the opportunity to shape and develop strategies that will significantly impact employee wellbeing at the university. If you have a strong background in workplace counselling, mental health strategy, and leading wellbeing initiatives, this role is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference in a dynamic and evolving university environment.
You will report to the Head of Health and Wellbeing, overseeing the delivery of high-quality, confidential, and accessible counselling services and professional consultations. This role is hybrid, with the flexibility to combine on-site and remote work, and will involve leading a team of in-house counsellors, as well as managing external contractors when necessary.
Key Responsibilities
1. Leadership and Team Management
As the Head of Workplace Counselling, you will provide leadership and direction to a small team, which includes two in-house counsellors, a small administrative team, and external contractors. Your responsibilities will include:
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Managing the delivery of a high-quality and accessible counselling service for all staff members.
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Ensuring that the service remains confidential, efficient, and effective.
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Developing and nurturing a positive team culture focused on wellbeing and professional development.
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Offering guidance and mentorship to counsellors and administrative staff, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment.
2. Developing and Implementing Mental Health Strategies
You will play a crucial role in shaping and executing the University’s mental health strategy. Your key tasks will include:
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Developing initiatives to improve employee wellbeing, including early intervention support, training for managers, and role-based consultations.
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Expanding and leading neurodiversity-inclusive practices, ensuring that the workplace is supportive and adaptable to diverse needs.
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Adapting strategies to address emerging challenges such as change management and the impact of technology on mental health support services.
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Driving the development and implementation of evidence-based practices to foster a psychologically safe environment.
3. Service Monitoring and Evaluation
You will oversee the continual improvement of counselling services, ensuring they meet the changing needs of the university’s diverse workforce. Your duties will include:
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Monitoring service effectiveness and ensuring the highest standards of care are maintained.
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Analyzing feedback from users to identify areas for improvement and working with your team to implement changes.
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Collaborating with other departments to assess and improve services in alignment with the university’s overall health and wellbeing strategy.
4. Stakeholder Engagement and Training
As part of your leadership role, you will engage with various stakeholders to promote mental health initiatives and provide training:
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Coordinating and delivering training sessions for managers and staff on topics such as mental health awareness, wellbeing techniques, and how to effectively support staff through challenging situations.
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Building relationships with key university stakeholders, ensuring that counselling services are aligned with broader health and wellbeing initiatives.
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Representing the university at relevant conferences, seminars, and other professional events, to share knowledge and gain insights into best practices.
5. Risk Management and Policy Development
You will also be responsible for ensuring that policies are developed and adhered to, addressing any risks associated with workplace mental health:
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Developing risk management strategies for workplace wellbeing services.
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Leading policy development and ensuring compliance with relevant mental health legislation and standards.
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Ensuring that all activities within the counselling service are fully compliant with legal and ethical standards.
Qualifications and Experience
Essential Qualifications:
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A relevant professional qualification in counselling, psychology, or a related field.
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Extensive experience in managing workplace counselling services or employee wellbeing initiatives, ideally in a large or complex organisation.
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Proven experience in leading and managing a team, including staff development and performance management.
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Experience in designing, developing, and implementing mental health and wellbeing strategies for employees.
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Strong understanding of neurodiversity, mental health issues, and how these impact the workplace.
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Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
Desirable Qualifications:
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Chartered membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., BACP, BPS, or UKCP).
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Experience in mental health training for managers or staff members.
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Knowledge of change management strategies and how these relate to employee wellbeing.
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Experience in utilising technology for the delivery of mental health support services (e.g., teletherapy platforms, mental health apps).
Experience:
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Experience in strategic leadership, with a proven ability to drive change and enhance employee wellbeing services.
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Demonstrable success in working with senior leaders to design and implement workplace wellbeing strategies.
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Experience in managing mental health-related budgets, forecasting, and financial reporting.
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Experience in developing relationships with external contractors, ensuring quality service delivery and managing performance.
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Proven ability to develop and deliver training programs on mental health and wellbeing topics.
Skills
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Strong leadership and team management skills, with experience in leading small teams of professionals.
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Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while ensuring high-quality delivery.
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Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with experience in using data to drive decision-making.
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Negotiation and influencing skills, enabling you to advocate for employee wellbeing and secure necessary resources.
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Technological proficiency, including experience with digital health tools, online therapy platforms, and wellbeing apps.
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of articulating complex ideas to a wide range of stakeholders.
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Resilient and adaptable, able to maintain momentum in the face of challenges.
Benefits and Perks
Competitive Salary:
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£48,149 to £57,422 per annum, commensurate with experience.
Generous Leave Entitlement:
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26 days of annual leave per year, plus approximately 16 additional days for public holidays and university closure days (including Christmas).
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42 days off in total, offering a great work-life balance.
Pension Scheme:
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The University offers a generous pension scheme, with a contribution of 21.6% of salary, along with life assurance benefits.
Health and Wellbeing Benefits:
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Discounted membership at The Edge, the university’s state-of-the-art gym, featuring a swimming pool, sauna, climbing wall, and sports halls.
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Additional health and wellbeing resources, including access to mental health services and wellbeing programs.
Personal Development Opportunities:
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Access to a variety of personal development courses, including leadership training, language courses, and wellbeing therapies.
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The university offers extensive opportunities for self-development, including online courses on mental health, creative writing, and more.
Additional Benefits:
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On-site childcare and shopping discounts are available.
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Travel schemes and other convenient perks to help ease daily commuting.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their applications by Sunday, 11 May 2025. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact:
Patrick Craig
Head of Health and Wellbeing
Email: p.m.craig@leeds.ac.uk
Apply Here
Interviews:
Interviews are expected to take place on Thursday, 05 June 2025.
About the University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is a prestigious, internationally renowned institution located in the vibrant city of Leeds. Known for its diverse and inclusive environment, the university is dedicated to promoting the health and wellbeing of its staff, making it an excellent place to work for those passionate about creating positive change in workplace mental health.
We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and are actively encouraging applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds. The university offers a dynamic and supportive work environment that fosters personal and professional growth, making it an ideal place for those seeking a challenging and fulfilling career.
Note: This post may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route, depending on eligibility. For more information, visit the official UK government website: Skilled Worker Visa.
Apply now and join us in creating a supportive and thriving environment for all employees at the University of Leeds!