Based within our Halls of Residence, this role offers an exciting opportunity to become part of a busy and supportive environment where no two days are the same. As the first point of contact for many students, residents, visitors and stakeholders, you will play a key role in ensuring the smooth operation of our reception service while providing excellent customer care.

About the Role

As a Reception Assistant, you will provide a welcoming and professional service throughout the evening, responding to a wide range of enquiries and supporting residents with their day-to-day needs. You will remain calm under pressure, demonstrate a commitment to excellent customer service, and contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of our customer-facing services.

Working as part of the wider Residential Services team, you will also support the supervisory team at Highfield Halls of Residence with a variety of administrative and operational tasks, both within and outside of the reception area.

To ensure the effective delivery of our services, you will work closely with colleagues in the Student Hub team, who collectively provide 24/7 support to students living in halls. You will also liaise with other University departments and external contractors who provide services across our accommodation sites.

About You

You will have experience working in a busy, customer-focused environment and be confident managing multiple tasks while maintaining a high standard of service.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Friendly, approachable and professional
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail
• An excellent communicator with strong interpersonal skills
• Comfortable working as part of a team
• Able to remain calm and effective in a fast-paced environment
• Confident using a range of computer systems and software packages

Customer service experience from any sector would be advantageous.

Working Hours

This position is offered at 20 hours per week, working Monday to Friday between 4.00pm and 8.00pm.

You will also be required to support key operational periods throughout the year, including student arrival and departure weekends and University Open Days. An annual leave embargo calendar is provided in advance to identify the weekends required for operational support.

Location

The role is primarily based at Highfield Halls of Residence. However, during the summer closure period, there will be an expectation to work from other Residential Services sites until Highfield Halls reopens in September.

Why Join Us?

This is an excellent opportunity to join a welcoming and supportive team that plays a vital role in creating a positive living experience for students. If you enjoy helping people, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and take pride in delivering excellent customer service, we would love to hear from you.

Working at the University of Southampton:

Check out the staff benefits and why you should join us at The University of Southampton.

Closing Date: 30 Oct 2026

Section: Management, Specialist & Administrative

Salary: £24,699 to £25,179 Pro rata per annum
Part Time Permanent (21.6 hours a week)