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Salary: £41,312 per annum (2025/26 cost of living award* pending)

*which will be backdated to August 2025.

Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week (exclusive of meal breaks)

Contract Type: Permanent, subject to six months’ probation

 

Selwyn College is seeking a Head Porter to lead our Porters’ Lodge team. A key role in College, supported by a deputy Head Porter and overseeing a team of Porters (9.5 FTE, plus casual Relief Porters), the Head Porter is responsible for ensuring the smooth day-to-day operation of the Porters’ Lodge.


As the first point of contact for students, staff, visitors, and guests, the Porters’ Lodge plays a vital role in the safety and welfare of the College community. The Head Porter will manage its customer-facing functions with professionalism and warmth, while also acting as Fire Officer and ensuring full compliance with health and safety requirements.


Working closely with the Senior Tutor and pastoral team, the Head Porter will help foster a welcoming and supportive environment within the Lodge, building on the compassionate culture established by their predecessor. This role therefore offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on student welfare and the wider College community. 
 

We're looking for someone with:

  • Proven experience managing a team of similar size, ideally in a customer-facing or security-focused environment.
  • Strong working knowledge of fire safety legislation and best practice.
  • Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills, with a commitment to inclusivity and wellbeing.
     

The College offers excellent benefits, including:

  • Generous occupational pension scheme
  • A free meal on duty
  • Free use of the College gym
  • Free on-site parking
  • Pleasant working environment
  • University of Cambridge staff card (for a small charge), which offers a wide variety perks and local discounts
  • Access to the College Library and University Libraries
  • Professional development and training opportunities
  • Healthcare benefits*

*subject to completion of probationary period
 

Selwyn College is home to students of all backgrounds from the UK and across the world. We are proud of our diversity. We are keen to receive applications from people who may be under-represented in our community.

 

Downloads:

Job Description (.pdf)

Application Form (.docx)
 

How to Apply

Send a completed application form via email to recruitment@sel.cam.ac.uk. (Please do not send a CV unless this is accompanied by a completed application form.)   

Closing date: Noon, Friday 7 November 2025

Interviews: expected to be held on the afternoon of Tuesday 18 November 2025