JOB DESCRIPTION
Post title: / Assistant DirectorAcademic Unit/Service: / Student Services
Faculty: / n/a
Career pathway: / MSA / Level: / 6
*ERE category: / n/a
Posts responsible to: / Director (L7)
Posts responsible for: / Student Services Managers/Service Delivery Managers (L4/5)
Post base: / Office-based/Non Office-based (see job hazard analysis)
Job purpose
· The Assistant Director helps to set the strategic direction for the Department in line with the University Strategy and converts it into effective localised delivery through the communication of clear business objectives, the implementation of effective business processes and a clear analysis of customer needs.
· Responsible for executive decision making.
· S/he builds staff capability and organisational capacity in fast changing environment through effective line management and communication.
· The Assistant Director is an adviser to the Director and the University Executive Group, providing them with informed reports and briefings as required or representing them internally and externally
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities / % Time /
1. / Understanding and incorporating the wider context in setting, changing and delivering the vision and policy direction for the student experience at the University / 50%
2. / Providing concise and informed reports or briefing notes of a high standard for the Director or members of the University Executive Group against tight deadlines upon request
3. / Building a management and leadership team which think, decide and act for the whole student experience and institution with a transforming energy, implementing change as required, embedding a learning culture I in the workplace through employee participation, teamwork, innovation, staff development and accountability
4. / Managing and leading the day-to-day delivery of services and facilities to an agreed standard using information, data and performance indicators to transform service levels, being accountable for promoting a continuous improvement culture
5. / Accountable for financial management of designated delivery areas within the Department
6. / Managing and leading teams by example using presence, decision-making, open communication, high level of self awareness including an awareness of impact on others, attention to staff development and performance / 10%
7. / Accountable for leading, managing and monitoring the Department’s strategic and operational action plan activities in line with University strategy and policy
8. / Working in close partnership with the Faculties and Head of Professional Services to set the direction for a quality student experience and its implementation / 10%
9. / Managing delivery of service standards, service level or partnership agreements, statutory requirements and national codes of practice / 20%
10. / Taking lead responsibility in ensuring management information reports are produced and interrogated by managers to identify process improvement initiatives or areas of good practice / 10%
11. / Representing the Director and champion the Department to a high standard, contributing effectively to a range of University wide committees and net work groups
12. / Be a member of the Student Services senior management team and undertake such additional duties including cross-departmental responsibilities as required by the Director
Internal and external relationships /
Internal
· Student Body
· Student Services
· Professional Services
· Faculties
· Office of the Vice Chancellor
External
· Students’ Union
· HEI Institutions
· HEFCE, HESA, UCAS & BIS
· National Governing/Professional Bodies
· Employers, Landlords etc
· Members of the Public/Community
· Schools and Colleges
Special requirements:
· Willingness to contribute to the out of hours’ rota as a point of escalation for student incidents or emergencies.
· Willingness to contribute to the out of hours’ rota as a point of escalation for student incidents or emergencies.
· The post holder is expected to work flexibly to provide services to a range of customers. As a maximum the post holder will be expected to work one weekday evening and one weekend day per month as well as specific peak times for services.
· The willingness to rotate roles and responsibilities to increase breadth of experience.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Criteria / Essential / Desirable / How to be assessedQualifications, knowledge and experience / A first degree or equivalent professional
Qualification
Postgraduate qualification or further professional
or related qualification (e.g. MBA, Med)
Proven strategic management in a customer service or higher education environment
Proven experience of managing significant change
Able to demonstrate ad authoritative awareness of the theory and practice of the student experience and an ability to use this to tackle broad university priorities
Significant financial management experience / Application
Application
Application
Interview
Interview
Assessment Task
Planning and organising / Able to plan and shape the direction of a specialist or professional area of activity
Prioritise own work, work of different teams and Organisation goals simultaneously
Able to organise major new initiatives with little or no precedent
Able to re-prioritise workload in a fast moving environment
Able to oversee multiple and complex areas of service delivery ensuring deadlines and standards are maintained
Able to set and deliver appropriate and measurable long, medium and short-term goals in the form of an Action Plan / Interview
Interview
Assessment
Task
Interview
Assessment
Task
Problem solving and initiative / Self-sufficient, capable of target setting and monitoring, actively seeking information from internal or external sources as required
Able to develop understanding of long-standing and complex problems and to apply professional knowledge and experience to solve them
Able to identify broad trends to assess deep rooted and complex issues
Able to apply originality in modifying existing approaches to solve problems
Able to develop significant new concepts and original ideas within the student experience in response to intractable issues of importance to the University / Able to respond to changes in marketplace and institutional environments to develop new concepts, original ideas and remain competitive
Able to benchmark against best practice and initiate change
Ability to transform services within contextual constraints / Interview
Assessment Task
Assessment Task
Assessment Task
Assessment Task
Interview
Interview
Interview
Management and teamwork / Experience of managing a large and complex team, evidence of collaborative yet robust management style
Able to proactively develop team dynamics and performance, ensuring quality standards are consistently achieved
Able to foster positive relationships confidently both within and outside their own Department
Ability to manage budgets and resources effectively
Able to proactively work with senior managers across the University to achieve key long-term and short-term deliverables
Must be a team player able to work collaboratively with others to disseminate and share knowledge and information / Interview
Psychometric Test
Psychometric Test
Assessment Task
Assessment Task
Psychometric Test
Communicating and influencing / Excellent presentation and verbal skills, with ability to communicate confidently at all levels
Proven ability to keep accurate records and disseminate appropriately
Ability to persuade, influence and collaborate with a wide range of people of different backgrounds and expertise, internally and externally
Excellent writing skills with ability to produce and present complex issues in a focused, succinct, professional and persuasive manner (e.g. reports, bids, papers, policies and guidelines)
Able to negotiate effectively on behalf of the Department or University on key issues
Able to develop and lead key communications strategies
Ability to represent the University confidently and knowledgeably in UK HEI sector
Receive, understand and convey complex theoretical ideas or information and transform them into accessible implementation plans / Interview
Interview
Interview
Interview
Assessment Task
Assessment Task
Interview
Interview
Other skills and behaviours / Excellent IT skills, including Microsoft Office suite / Able to understand cultural diversity
Ability to speak a second language / Interview
Application
Special requirements / Able to respond to crisis out of hours / Willingness to work flexibly to complete tasks and to travel as required / Interview
Interview
JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS
Is this an office-based post?
☒ Yes / If this post is an office-based job with routine office hazards (eg: use of VDU), no further information needs to be supplied. Do not complete the section below.☐ No / If this post is not office-based or has some hazards other than routine office (eg: more than use of VDU) please complete the analysis below.
Hiring managers are asked to complete this section as accurately as possible to ensure the safety of the post-holder.
## - HR will send a full PEHQ to all applicants for this position. Please note, if full health clearance is required for a role, this will apply to all individuals, including existing members of staff.
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES / Occasionally(<30% of time) / Frequently
(30-60% of time) / Constantly
(> 60% of time)
Outside work / X
Extremes of temperature (eg: fridge/ furnace)
## Potential for exposure to body fluids
## Noise (greater than 80 dba - 8 hrs twa)
## Exposure to hazardous substances (eg: solvents, liquids, dust, fumes, biohazards). Specify below:
Frequent hand washing
Ionising radiation
EQUIPMENT/TOOLS/MACHINES USED
## Food handling
## Driving university vehicles(eg: car/van/LGV/PCV)
## Use of latex gloves (prohibited unless specific clinical necessity)
## Vibrating tools (eg: strimmers, hammer drill, lawnmowers)
PHYSICAL ABILITIES
Load manual handling
Repetitive crouching/kneeling/stooping
Repetitive pulling/pushing
Repetitive lifting
Standing for prolonged periods
Repetitive climbing (ie: steps, stools, ladders, stairs)
Fine motor grips (eg: pipetting)
Gross motor grips
Repetitive reaching below shoulder height
Repetitive reaching at shoulder height
Repetitive reaching above shoulder height
PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES
Face to face contact with public
Lone working / X
## Shift work/night work/on call duties / X
Job Description and Person Specification (HR5)2