Gavin Russell Kirk
East Boldon,South Tyneside
Summary
Strategic leader in accommodation and residential services management with expertise in team development, staff recruitment, and performance management. Focused on enhancing student support and customer service while ensuring Health & Safety compliance and safeguarding standards. Experienced in occupancy planning, budget management, and facilities management, driving stakeholder engagement and promoting Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion to achieve organisational objectives.
Overview
1
1
Certification
43
43
years of professional experience
Work history
Deputy Accommodation Manager
University of Sunderland
Sunderland
07.2010 - 07.2026
- Manage the day-to-day operation of university accommodation across multiple residences.
- Lead, motivate and develop accommodation staff through recruitment, training, coaching and performance management.
- Oversaw student room allocations, arrivals, departures, and occupancy planning to maximise accommodation utilisation and enhance student experience.
- Supported the strategic and operational management of the university's residential accommodation, providing students with a safe, welcoming and high-quality living experience.
- Develop and implement policies and procedures in accordance with university regulations, safeguarding requirements and Health & Safety legislation.
- Managed accommodation budgets and monitored expenditure to ensure effective resource allocation and maintain service standards.
- Resolve student complaints and complex issues quickly and professionally, maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction.
- Coordinate planned maintenance, refurbishment projects and contractor performance.
- Ensure compliance with Health & Safety, fire safety and housing standards through inspections and risk assessments.
- Collaborated with university departments, student support services, and external partners to foster a supportive residential environment for students.
- Produce management reports, analyse operational data and recommend service improvements.
- Improved student satisfaction through enhanced communication and customer service initiatives.
- Increased occupancy levels through improved allocation planning and booking processes.
- Reduced maintenance response times by introducing improved reporting and contractor management procedures.
- Successfully managed accommodation operations during peak arrival and departure periods while maintaining excellent service standards.
- Delivered refurbishment and operational improvement projects on time and within budget.
- Strengthened Health & Safety compliance and supported successful internal and external audits.
- Introduced staff development initiatives that enhanced team performance and service delivery.
- Developed strong relationships with students, university departments and external contractors, contributing to a positive residential community.
- Introduced staff development initiatives that enhanced team performance and service delivery.
- Developed strong relationships with students, university departments and external contractors, contributing to a positive residential community.
Training Manager
IPC Security
Newcastle
07.2005 - 07.2010
- Managed all aspects of learning and development across a national security organisation, providing strategic advice to the Chief Executive Officer on training, compliance and workforce development.
- Designed and implemented comprehensive training strategies, enhancing workforce skills and compliance across the organisation.
- Identified training needs by consulting with senior managers, aligning development initiatives with organisational goals.
- Produced and delivered in-house training programmes and learning materials.
- Managed staff appraisals and performance reviews, fostering a culture of continuous professional development.
- Liaised with external training providers to develop accredited training courses.
- Managed the corporate training budget.
- Led the company's Investors in People programme.
- Provided advice on Health & Safety compliance and best practice.
- Key Responsibilities
Training Manager / Regimental Training Warrant Officer
HM Forces
07.1983 - 07.2005
- Planned, coordinated and delivered comprehensive training programmes for approximately 530 officers and soldiers, enhancing operational readiness.
- Designed and produced detailed training plans and operational instructions, ensuring clarity and effectiveness in training delivery.
- Supervised instructors, ensuring high standards of training delivery across the regiment to meet military readiness objectives.
- Coordinated internal and external military training courses.
- Managed training resources, accommodation, equipment and personnel for military exercises.
- Worked for over 20 years in HM Forces, culminating in the role of Regimental Training Warrant Officer, leading the training, development and operational readiness of approximately 530 military personnel.
- Implemented and managed the Investors in People programme.
- Ensured compliance with Health & Safety regulations and military standards.
- Key Responsibilities
Education
Graduateship Award - Leadership and Management
City & Guilds Level 5
Skills
- Accommodation and residential services management
- Occupancy planning and room allocation
- Budget management and financial monitoring
- Health & safety compliance
- Safeguarding and risk management
- Facilities, maintenance and contractor management
- Data analysis
- Leadership and team management
- Talent management
- Student support
- Stakeholder engagement
- Change management
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
- Conflict resolution
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint)
Certification
- NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety (Credit)
- Certificate in Delivering Learning (City & Guilds 7302)
- Investors in People Internal Champion
- A1 Assessor Award
- Instructor Supervisor Qualification
- European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL)
- First Aid at Work Instructor
- Mental Health First Aider
Interests
Fitness, Golf
Affiliations
- Fitness
- Golf
Timeline
Deputy Accommodation Manager
University of Sunderland
07.2010 - 07.2026
Training Manager
IPC Security
07.2005 - 07.2010
Training Manager / Regimental Training Warrant Officer
HM Forces
07.1983 - 07.2005
Graduateship Award - Leadership and Management
City & Guilds Level 5