JOB TITLE Further Particulars

Job title: College Scout

Hours: 30 hours per week (FTE 0.8) Mon- Fri

Salary: £21, 934 per annum

Contract Type: Permanent

Responsible to: Housekeeper/ Accommodation Manager

Harris Manchester College

Harris Manchester is a college of the University of Oxford, with a radical tradition which it continues in the present day. Originally founded in 1786 in Manchester as a dissenting academy, it came to Oxford in 1889, and became a college of the University in 1996, changing its name from Manchester College to Harris Manchester College at that time. From the start, the College was distinctive in offering higher education to those who were excluded from the established English universities (at that time restricted to Anglicans) or other dissenting academies (often restricted to members of a particular denomination). Women were admitted from 1876, with the result that it was uniquely coeducational on its arrival in Oxford.

The College continues its tradition of radical inclusion today through a unique mission: it is the only college in the University of Oxford dedicated exclusively to admitting and supporting mature students (aged 21 years or over) at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

The College is committed to breaking down the barrier of age in higher education. It provides a friendly, welcoming atmosphere and inclusive ethos, and pursues the highest standard of academic teaching, learning, and research in an environment which is fully supportive of Fellows, staff and students.

There are approximately 250 undergraduate and postgraduate students altogether, studying a wide range of subjects in the Humanities, Social Sciences, Engineering and Medical Sciences.

For further information on Harris Manchester, please visit the College website at http://www.hmc.ox.ac.uk.

Overview of Post

As a College Scout at Harris Manchester College, you will play a vital role in maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for all students, staff, and visitors. You will be responsible for the cleaning and upkeep of College accommodation, meeting rooms, dining areas, and public spaces, ensuring the highest standards of hygiene and presentation are consistently met.

Key Responsibilities & Duties

Responsibilities

To be responsible for cleaning and maintenance of bedrooms to the required standard as instructed by the Housekeeper/ Accommodation manager or Supervisor. This will include the change of linen and remake beds during conference periods and replenish conference items.

To Depart Conference bedrooms and remake for Conference arrivals.

To work with the Accommodation team to undertake the spring clean and deep cleaning programmes throughout the College, including, meeting rooms and student bedrooms.

Clean outside buildings to ensure their appearance is maintained to an acceptable level.

Manage the daily in-house Laundry.

Monitor the linen room, keeping it clean and well organised.

Manage the External Laundry.

Ordering of Conference consumables.

Ordering and keeping stock of cleaning materials.

Other duties commensurate with the role as instructed by the Deputy or Accommodation & Housekeeping manager.

Communal Areas

To Maintain toilets, showers and bathrooms to the required standard of cleanliness, including the floor area, windows, walls, all fixture and fittings, empty bins, and replace toilet rolls when required.

General

To notify the Accommodation Team, of any problems that may affect the smooth running of the College (e.g. safety issues, welfare issues and maintenance issues, etc).

To undertake such other duties, consistent with the purpose of the job, as may be assigned from time to time by the Accommodation team.

Selection Criteria

Essential

Ability to maintain high standards of cleanliness and presentation, with a keen eye for detail. Capability to prioritise tasks, manage time effectively, and complete assignments efficiently within a set schedule.

Familiarity with health and safety regulations, particularly relating to safe cleaning practices.

Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a team environment while also handling tasks independently.

Ability to understand and follow instructions, communicate clearly with staff and students, and handle any inquiries.

A proven ability to work as a member of a team.

The ability to follow instructions and work efficiently in a busy environment.

Other information for Candidates

Occasional weekend work may be required.

Appointment Procedure

To apply, please submit a CV (maximum 3 sides of A4) and a covering letter which details how your skills, experience, and qualifications meet the criteria for the post. Please also include the details of two referees.

The above should be submitted by email to hr@hmc.ox.ac.uk by 12 noon on the application deadline 10th of July.

Interviews are expected to take place on the Tuesday 14th July 2026.

Benefits and Conditions

Free lunches when on duty, and when the kitchen is serving meals to staff.

Pension: You will have the option of joining a contributory staff pension scheme.

Annual leave: 30 days plus bank holidays, normally to include the days when the College is closed at Christmas and Easter. The remainder are to be taken at a mutually agreed time, but normally outside of term.

Important Information for Candidates

Data Privacy

Please note that any personal data submitted to the College as part of the job application process will be processed in accordance with the GDPR and related UK data protection legislation. For further information, please see the College’s data protection policy here.

Equal Opportunity

Harris Manchester College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Conduct against fellow employees and College members which is offensive, or detrimental to them on grounds of age, colour, disability, ethnic origin, marital status, nationality, national origin, parental status, race, religion or belief, gender, or sexual orientation will not be tolerated.

The College exists to promote excellence in education and research and is actively committed to the principle of equality of opportunity for all suitably qualified candidates.

Right to work in the UK

The appointment will be subject to the satisfactory completion of proof of the right to work in the UK.