Registry Officer (Student, Course & Schools Administration)

Full Time - Fixed Term Contract (2 years) - High Wycombe

Salary - £33,482 - £37,174

Buckinghamshire New University is an ambitious, modern university that is always open to fresh ideas and thinking. We believe in the transformative power of education, and in doing the right thing by our students, people and local community. That’s why our BNU community is a special place to work and study, and where people who want to make a difference can contribute and succeed.

Our University’s DRIVE values are at the heart of all that we do. We are united in being dynamic, responsible, inclusive, visionary and empowering to ensure that we provide the best experience to our learners and offer excellent service to our partners and to each other as colleagues. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and they are central to our mission. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries and we are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that you require.

BNU continues to experience rapid growth in student numbers, making us one of the fastest-growing higher education providers.

It's an exciting time to be joining Student and Course Administration. An opportunity has now arisen for a skilled, motivated and experienced administrator to join the Academic Registry as a Registry Officer to support Business programmes.

As a Registry Officer you will take responsibility for planning and organising activities as part of the administrative team, ensuring adherence to University regulations, policies and procedures, with some line management responsibilities. Working within the academic administrative structure, you must be able to prioritise workloads as appropriate, and be able to operate under pressure in a fast-moving and changing environment.

A first degree or equivalent professional experience is essential. Experience of Higher Education administration would be an advantage, as would be a positive, proactive and flexible outlook.

Please see the job description for further details of the general responsibilities of the posts.

What We Offer:

• a generous holiday entitlement (30 days per annum, plus bank holidays & closure days)
• training & development support opportunities
• contributory pension scheme
• discounted gym membership for our on-site gym
• a range of staff discounts with major retailers.

Please click here to see our wide range of benefits available for employees.

If you have the qualities and attributes representative of the University’s values and ambition, we would be delighted to hear from you.

For further information about this role please contact Jessica Campbell-Karn, Senior Registry Officer, Student, Course & Schools Administration.

All applications are to be made in full and online.

BNU is proud to have a diverse community and a strong track record of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our aim is to continue to build an environment where everyone thrives and can be themselves. We therefore ensure that our interview/shortlisting Chairs complete the relevant e-learning and/or inclusive recruitment training.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in BNU’S workforce. These include people from global majority backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQI+ people, particularly in more senior roles.

PLEASE INCLUDE A SUPPORTING STATEMENT EXPLAINING HOW YOUR SKILLS MEET THE JOB DESCRIPTION AND WHY YOU ARE APPLYING FOR THE ROLE

Closing Date: 13 April 2025
Interview Date: w/c 22 April 2025

If you are successful in securing an interview for the role, you will be required to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

Buckinghamshire New University is a Disability Confident employer and as such you will be given the opportunity to declare a disability as part of the application process.

The University is also committed to achieving the Race Equality Charter.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Registry Officer (Student, Course & Schools Administration)

Faculty/Directorate: Academic Registry

Grade: F

Location: High Wycombe

Hours: 37

Responsible to: Allocated Senior Registry Officer (Student, Course & Schools Administration)

Responsible for: Line Management responsibility for the following posts:

Allocated FTE of Registry Administrator (Student, Course & Schools Administration)

Job Purpose: The postholder is responsible for undertaking a wide range of complex administrative duties and for providing support for the University’s student and academic administration processes in relation to the student experience, the delivery of programmes, and to undertake/ coordinate/ oversee task champion roles as required.

The postholder will be allocated to a specific area and/or tasks and will operate with minimal supervision. They will be required to be proactive and flexible, manage, prioritise and action workloads as appropriate, share best practice and operate under pressure in a fast-moving and changing environment whilst contributing to a positive student experience and enhancement of the University’s quality assurance procedures.

The purpose of the job description is to indicate the general level of responsibility: the duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character or level of responsibility.

The postholder will practice an inclusive approach and support building an inclusive university community where people can be themselves.

Main Duties & Responsibilities Of The Role:

• In adherence with the University’s regulations, policies, and procedures; provide an appropriate and effective academic administration service to stakeholders, including:
• providing consistent training and authoritative guidance to staff and students on the correct implementation of regulations, policies and procedures;
• contribute to process re-development from a user perspective as relevant to the operation of the Academic Registry.
• To be responsible for effective communication with all stakeholders (students, staff and externals including sector bodies and PSRBs) as required by the enrolment and registration part of the student journey through a variety of channels i.e. face-to-face, written, VLE and web.
• Provide specialist advice and guidance to students and colleagues relating to student and course administration, resolving more complex problems or queries that have been escalated or referred, and making decisions without the need for management oversight.
• To be the task champion for a specific area relating to student and course administration, making decisions, finding solutions and being the go-to person for the area. Design and develop new systems and techniques in the delivery of the remit.
• To plan, organise and deliver on allocated tasks across the University in accordance with planned schedules and deadlines for a specific portfolio of programmes. Areas from which tasks may be allocated include:
• Information for and communication with stakeholders;
• Enrolment / registration;
• Assessment process including mitigating circumstances, academic offences;
• Examination and TCAs;
• Board of Examiners;
• Communication of results to students;
• Liaison with external examiners;
• Student Casework (complaints, appeals);
• Graduation.
• To identify, evaluate, select and order relevant information pertaining to academic administration including handbooks, guidance information, course information, definitive documentation and published University registers of provision.
• To ensure accurate data capture, analysis, uploading, checking and tracking of information pertaining to academic administration and the student record. In doing so ensure compliance with the University’s document retention schedule, Freedom of Information and Data Protection requirements.
• To provide support for appropriate Committees, Assessment Boards, Working Groups, Panels, and other ad hoc meetings as appropriate including managing all logistical requirements and preparing agendas, papers, minutes and action sheets.
• To reflect on and evaluate the operation of administrative processes and contribute to the Academic Registry in designing and developing new ideas, systems and techniques in relation to governance, regulation, process and compliance which may lead to formal papers for discussion and implementation across the University.
• Take responsibility for the service delivery of their allocated areas, seeking and acting on customer feedback.
• Line management responsibilities including recruitment and selection, performance management, professional development, motivation, health & safety and wellbeing.
• Supervisory duties including motivating and supporting team members, giving direction and feedback and ensuring adequate staffing cover. Manage resources effectively around strategic priorities.
• Additionally, the post holder will be expected to support the wider activities of the Academic Registry and University, including:
• Assisting with Registry-wide events, such as the University's Graduation Ceremonies and Enrolment/Registration etc, undertaking specific tasks as required;
• To be actively engaged with internal working groups and to proactively implement agreed process changes within the University;
• Adopting and demonstrating behaviours aligned to the University's values;
• To keep abreast of sector development and best practice and undertake CPD as relevant to the role;
• There may be a requirement for these duties to be carried out across different sites within the University.
• Comply with relevant legislative and other requirements (e.g., the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR; Health and Safety; UKVI; and Equality and Diversity) in all working practices.
• Such other duties temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

A = Application T = Test I = Interview

Education, Qualifications & Training

Means of Testing

First degree or equivalent

A

Knowledge & Experience

Delivering an excellent customer experience

A/I

Experienced and accurate administrator with 2 years+ experience

A/I

Experience of dealing with sensitive casework

A/I

Experience of problem solving and decision making

A/I

Knowledge of Higher Education systems, process and procedures in the UK

A/I

Awareness of data protection, freedom of information and consumer rights legislation

A/I

Skills

Digitally able and proficient in Microsoft tools

A/I

Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships at all levels across the organisation, and beyond

A/I

Excellent written and oral communication skills including report writing

A/I

Proven organisational and planning skills, and the ability to coach and advise others, within or outside own team

A/I

Ability to work as part of a team

A/I

Proactive and flexible attitude to work and the ability to use initiative in delivering service standards

A/I

Proven ability of working well under pressure, to deadlines and with minimal supervision

A/I

Good time management skills, with the ability to manage simultaneous projects to deadlines

A/I

Methodical and accurate approach to work, including meticulous attention to detail

A/I

Special Requirements

Willingness to work flexible hours as required during peak work times (eg Summer Board period)

A/I

Willingness to work at any of the University’s campuses

A/I

BBF (Top 3 key behavioural categories most applicable to the role)

Delivering Excellent Service:
Making every contact count by providing the best quality service to our customers (Internal Customers, Students and all our Stakeholders). Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to improve customer services.

Self
Ensuring systems and processes are kept up to date.
Resolving problems quickly in a courteous and purposeful manner.

Others
Delivering consistent service standards.

University
Advocating for and role modelling excellent service to your customers / students / stakeholders.

Embracing Change:
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.

Self
Demonstrating a willingness to do things differently.
Making suggestions for improvement.

Others
Seeking a diversity of perceptions.

University
Embracing new technologies, techniques and working methods.

Achieving Results:
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.

Self
Planning and organising workloads to ensure that deadlines are met within resource constraints.
Maintaining a high standard of work even when under pressure.

Others
Taking time to celebrate successes.

University
Ensuring that your actions are aligned with the University’s strategic objectives.