Job title:School Administration Manager

Reports to:Head of School

Department:School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics

Location:Moulsecoomb

Grade:7

Purpose of the role

In direct liaison with the Deputy Heads of School and Head of School, to oversee the administrative interface between the School’s support and teaching & research staff, central departments and external bodies as appropriate, ensuring the needs of the School, its students and the wider University are met. To oversee the financial, strategic and physical resources (infrastructure) in the School, in liaison with the School Management Group, central departments and external organisations as appropriate.

Line management responsibility for:Administrative support staff within the School

Main areas of responsibility:

  • To participate fully in ensuring the School’s strategic and operational objectives are met, as a member of the School Management Group. To represent the School Management Groupat appropriate meetings, both at School level, University level and externally, ensuring that the School’s views are appropriately represented and ensuring appropriate recommendations are made and actions taken by the School.
  • In liaison with the Head of School and School Management Group to develop and implement an administrative staffing strategy consistent with the School’s mission and strategic framework. To facilitate a resilient service that has the capability and capacity to meet changing needs.
  • In liaison with the Head of School and School Management Group, to adapt and, when appropriate, recommend reorganisation of the School’s administrative structure to take account of changing needs and priorities.
  • To manage the delivery of administrative operations to support learning and teaching, RESP, student experience, quality assurance and related development activities within the school, using judgement, problem solving, management and communication skills as appropriate.
  • In collaboration with the Deputy School Administration Manager, to line manage support staff working within the School, ensuring high levels of commitment, performance and professionalism. To be involved in a wide range of HR matters for these staff including staff development, workload allocation, performance issues and other case work.
  • In collaboration with the Deputy School Administration Manager, to be responsible for the recruitment, selection and induction of designated administrative staff. To participate in the induction of new academic staff as appropriate, advising and guiding in relation to relevant administrative requirements and procedures.
  • To line manage the Deputy School Administration Manager/Senior Administrators and support and guide them in the successful completion of their own duties.
  • To have oversight and maintain a robust understanding of the School’s finances, both income and expenditure. To comply fully with the financial and procedural regulations of the University and the School.

General responsibilities

These are standard to all University of Brighton job descriptions.

  • To undertake other duties appropriate to the grade and character of work as may be reasonably required, including specific duties of a similar or lesser grade.
  • To adhere to the University’s Equality and Diversity Policy in all activities, and to actively promote equality of opportunity wherever possible
  • To be responsible for your own health and safety and that of your colleagues, in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act.
  • To work in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations.

The person specification focuses on the knowledge, qualifications, experience and skills (both general and technical) required to undertake the role effectively. Please ensure that your application demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria.

Essential criteria
Knowledge/Skills /
  • A degree or other evidence of a high level of analytical, communication and problem-solving ability.
  • Knowledge of how to develop and maintain effective administrative systems.
  • Highly developed interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate complex information in a clear, appropriate and understandable way to a variety of audiences, both orally and in writing.
  • Able to identify and negotiate acceptable solutions to conflicts of interest.
  • High levels of numeracy and literacy with attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Highly-developed word-processing and spread sheet skills.
  • Good knowledge of database packages and the ability to use student information retrieval systems.
/ A, I
Experience /
  • Experience of administrative infrastructure management in a complex and large institution.
  • Experience of financial / budget management.
  • Experience of interpreting, analysing and presenting data for evaluation and monitoring purposes.
  • Experience of developing and maintaining effective administrative systems.
  • Experience of interpreting complex regulations.
/ A,I
Managing People /
  • Experience of recruiting and selecting staff using appropriate techniques.
  • Extensive line management experience.
  • Proven ability to achieve objectives through induction, motivation, continuous development and teamwork, guaranteeing equality of opportunity.
  • Diplomacy and negotiating skills with the ability to be assertive when necessary without being aggressive.
/ A, I
Other requirements /
  • Sets and meets objectives on own initiative with the ability to take appropriate action without being prompted.
  • Respects ideas and expertise of others and appreciates own strengths and weaknesses.
  • The ability to prioritise work effectively, judging the relative importance of conflicting demands and planning actions in order to meet deadlines.
  • The ability to maintain high standards while working quickly with absolute minimum supervision.
  • Prepares and plans self and others for change.
  • Adaptable and interested in learning and investigation.
  • Ability to solve problems and develop plans successfully whilst considering various perspectives and the overall strategic picture.
/ A, I
Desirable /
  • Familiarity with the higher education environment, its aims and objectives.
  • Familiarity with University regulations, policies and procedures.
  • Insight into the needs and priorities of staff and students in higher education.
  • Familiarity with all/any of the following software platforms: SITS/E-Vision (especially CAMS), eFinancials, Microsoft SharePoint
/ A, I
  • Any appointment is generally made at the bottom of the salary range for the grade dependent upon experience and previous salary.
  • This is a full timepost and is permanent.
  • Annual leave entitlements are shown in the table below and increase after 5 years’ service. In addition, to the eight Bank Holidays, there are university discretionary days between Christmas and New Year. All leave, including bank holidays and discretionary days, are pro-rated for part time employees.

Grades / Basic entitlement per year / Grades / After 5 years’ service
1-3 / 23 days / 1-3 / 28 days
4-7 / 25 days / 4-7 / 30 days
8-9 / 27 days / 8-9 / 30 days
  • More information about the department can be found here
  • Read the University’s 2016 - 2021 Strategy
  • The University has an attractive range of benefits and you can find more information about them on our website.

07 October 2018