Education Support Manager - Academic Services - 10601 - Grade 7

Position Details

Academic Services

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £35,880 to £45,163 with potential progression once in post to £47,874

Grade: 7

Full Time, Permanent

Closing date: 16th March 2025

Our offer to you

People are at the heart of what we are and do. The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university. We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success.

We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential. With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in a wide range of functions in Edgbaston and in our campus in Dubai, there are plenty of opportunities for you to develop your career at the University.

We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work.

Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University. Depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries.

The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site. On campus we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens.

Background

Academic Services is at the heart of education and research endeavour at the University. Academic Services is responsible for providing support and advice to all staff and to students to enable them to undertake their responsibilities effectively and efficiently. It is also responsible for ensuring that the activities of the University are conducted in accordance with the University’s own procedures and regulations and in compliance with external legislative requirements.

Registry is a division within Academic Services at the University of Birmingham, with responsibility for key education administration and education support services at a leading global university. The work of the department underpins a student’s academic journey from registration through to graduation and ensures delivery and support of high quality and excellence in education and research. Registry acts as the definitive record keeper of the student record, student information and programme and module details on behalf of the University.

Role Summary

The Student Administration sub-division of Registry is undergoing an exciting period of transformation. This role will play a key part in the operational management of high profile, business critical areas of activity in alignment with the strategic aims of the University and in the context of developments in the higher education sector more broadly. Key areas of responsibility will cover the student journey, from registration to graduation.

If you are interested in the role, we would encourage you to apply even if you feel that you do not meet all of the criteria but can demonstrate transferrable skills.

Main Duties

• To work closely with the Head of Service and wider team on the operation of relevant policies and processes to enable and maintain a high-quality student data set, and effective education support services to students and the wider University community.
• Work independently, whilst consulting with stakeholders as appropriate, on the development and implementation of procedures to support change using an open and inclusive management style to gain commitment from all staff for any initiatives being implemented.
• Manage education-related administrative processes, ensuring they are robust, flexible and operate effectively, interfacing smoothly with colleagues within Registry and across the University.
• Undertake regular reviews of education support processes and systems to ensure that they remain efficient, integrated, fit for purpose and in line with current data quality practices, and current sector-wide guidance or best practice.
• Working with the Head of Service, ensure that the shape of support within the team is fit-for-purpose, reviewing and balancing the allocation of responsibilities amongst staff to ensure that an effective and efficient service is delivered.
• Offer specialist advice about University systems, policies and regulations concisely in addition to reviewing and implementing any new or amended systems, policies or regulations using own specialist knowledge and expertise to ensure continuous business improvement.
• Represent Student Administration/Registry on Committees and Groups as required.
• Take the lead on projects or new initiatives relating to the University’s education agenda as required.
• Prepare and where appropriate, present reports, proposals and papers for stakeholders and senior meetings.
• Coach and encourage staff in a supportive environment, demonstrating willingness to listen, engage and support.
• Contribute to and deliver training and other forms of support to staff within relevant functional areas.
• Promote and encourage professional development opportunities for the staff you manage, through the Personal Development Review (PDR) process and the Birmingham Professional scheme.
• Nurture good working relationships to ensure effective communication of team activity and initiatives.
• Promote equality and values diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
• Supports the University’s sustainability agenda through resource efficient working.
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Educated to Degree level (or equivalent qualifications) plus relevant practical experience.
• Evidence of literacy and numeracy, with the ability to write clearly, and to produce and analyse information and data.
• Significant experience of working in Higher Education senior administration and/or management.
• Knowledgeable of the environmental, economic and political factors impacting on Higher Education.
• Experienced in analysing complex information and of contributing to action plans, strategic plans and quality reviews.
• Experienced in working within a customer centric organisation.
• Experienced in managing staff, delegating work to colleagues and collaborating with others at a senior level to deliver change and/or projects.
• High level of competence in the use of IT with proficient experience of using Microsoft Office, databases (preferably student record systems) and online learning resources.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, experience of working collaboratively with the ability to establish good working relationships with colleagues at every level of an organisation.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• The ability to cope with change in a fast moving, dynamic environment.
• Ability to demonstrate effective negotiating and positive influencing skills.
• Ability to demonstrate tact and diplomacy, and the ability to deal discreetly with confidential and sensitive matters.
• Excellent communications skills.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision, and be self-motivated but also able to work as part of a larger team.
• Exemplary attention to detail and the ability to work confidentially, use judgement and make appropriate decisions within the constraints of the role.
• Excellent understanding of delivering excellent customer service and the ability to influence others to deliver.
• Demonstrate a flexible, positive and creative approach to work and meticulous attention to detail.
• Demonstrate ability to acquire knowledge and understanding of detailed University policies and procedures and apply them in practice.
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.
• An understanding of the importance of equality and diversity in the workplace.

Role context

Roles at this level will require a broad understanding and practical experience of an administrative or professional field which will be used to plan the running and development of services and/or lead shorter term projects or contribute to larger projects.

Core competencies/transferable skills

Working at this level you will be able to develop and successfully demonstrate the core competencies/transferable skills outlined in each of the areas shown below. As appropriate for the level, our Birmingham Professionals will take ownership for getting things done.

Planning and organising

• Plan the running and development of service(s), overseeing resources and inputting into resource planning as appropriate;
• Develop, agree and implement standards for delivery for own area;
• Manage a team of staff and review, develop and motivate them;
• Plan relevant training and development;
• Provide professional advice, guidance and support to others within and outside their immediate work area;
• Oversee resources and make recommendations about future resource requirements.

Problem solving and decision making

• Review, develop and propose solutions for problems with (for example) staff, budgets, services and/or systems;
• Deal effectively with unexpected issues, such as changing priorities;
• Deal with sensitive people matters/issues;
• Provide specialist advice and recommendations to support decision–making of others.

Organisational understanding

• Understand their own and closely-related working areas and how they contribute to the success of the University;
• Has an understanding of how the University operates; actively seeks to share this knowledge with others;
• Developing empathy with the academic endeavour.

Relationships and communication

• Influence decision makers and win support for proposals;
• Develop excellent working relationships within and outside of own area and potentially with external stakeholders;
• Coordinate activities across a number of areas.

Informal enquiries to Rosie Birch, email: a.r.birch@bham.ac.uk

View our staff values and behaviours here.

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.