Science Faculty Office

Grade 7: - £33,797 - £40,322 per annum
Open-Ended/Permanent - Full Time
Contracted Hours per Week: 35
Closing Date: 14-May-2021, 6:59:00 AM 

Job Family: Business Process and People Services

OUR CHARACTERISTICS: We are welcoming, collegiate and inclusive.

OUR VALUES: We are motivated, inquisitive, challenging, rigorous and innovative.

Durham University

Durham University is one of the world's top universities with strengths across the Arts and Humanities, Business, Sciences and Social Sciences. We are home to some of the most talented scholars and researchers from around the world who are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives.

The University sits in a beautiful historic city where it shares ownership of a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Durham Cathedral, the greatest Romanesque building in Western Europe. A collegiate University, Durham recruits outstanding students from across the world and offers an unmatched wider student experience.

Durham University seeks to promote and maintain an inclusive and supportive environment for work and study that assists all members of our University community to reach their full potential. Diversity brings strength and we welcome applications from across the international, national and regional communities that we work with and serve.

It is expected that all staff within the University:

• Contribute to our learning culture by engaging in mentoring, training and coaching.
• Positively contribute to fostering a collegial environment; as well as demonstrating commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Have due regard to Health and Safety requirements appropriate to grade and role.

Family key attributes

Roles in this family provide a comprehensive service and deliver the efficient administration and governance of the University.

Overall family purpose

• Deliver direct and indirect services to stakeholders.
• Provide advice and answer queries as part of an enquiry-desk/help-desk function.
• Respond to and manage requests for information and resources.
• Deliver services to meet regulatory requirements and procedures.
• Plan and deliver a joined-up approach to University business and people services.
• Align business processes and services to meet operational and strategic policy objectives. 
• Deliver business processes to ensure effective management, governance and the economic viability of the University.
• Encourage, collaborate and participate in the development of productive cross-institution relationships and working.
• Provide excellent professional services that meet strategic and operational goals and business needs.
• Carry out monitoring, analysis, development and planning to design new services and service updates for continuous improvement whilst meeting changes in regulations.
• Engage with specialist professionals, consultants, and suppliers to exchange knowledge and facilitate partnership working.
• Work collaboratively and network across the University with staff in other families to ensure a smooth, timely and high-quality delivery of service.
• Align and deliver programmes and activities to meet operational and strategic objectives to enhance the stakeholder experience.
• Engage and encourage participation with external professionals, schools, alumni and donors.

Link to key strategic plan

• An economically sustainable approach to delivering Professional Services across the University;
• A joined-up approach to University professional services, regardless of location or line management;
• A culture and practice of continuous improvement;
• Design services that meet business need;
• A stakeholder-focused orientation, offering satisfying careers to all staff;
• Support and facilitate programmes that offer intellectual challenge, cohesiveness and a strong sense of progression;
• Ensure that an increasingly diverse workforce is treated equally, fairly and with respect, and that all staff are demonstrably valued and actively engaged.

The Department and role purpose

With over 5,000 undergraduate and 1,000 postgraduate students, spanning across 8 academic departments, the Faculty of Science supports a diverse and vibrant learning and research environment. Our outstanding academic staff deliver innovative research led teaching in a range of modes from lectures through to small group teaching, laboratory and field based learning in both on-line and face to face formats.

The Faculty of Science leads the highly successful Natural Sciences degree programmes (c 750 undergraduates), which allows students to combine more than one subject in their study programme. Recently the Faculty extended its portfolio of interdisciplinary education with the launch of the Master of Data Science, postgraduate taught programme. Drawing on expertise from across all four academic Faculties, this programme is designed for graduates from either a technical or non-technical background to learn how to access, clean, analyse, and visualize complex data. In a world where decision making in commercial and public sector bodies and organisations is increasingly data driven, this programme will enable graduates to analyse large amounts of data effectively and efficiently and pursue career opportunities in one of the fastest growing job markets.

We are seeking to appoint a Learning and Teaching Manager who will provide support for the Director of Natural Sciences and the Director of Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Taught Programmes (IPGT). Moreover, the Faculty Learning and Teaching Manager will support with the delivery and development of the Data Science programme and the development of further Faculty-led interdisciplinary programmes.

As a member of the Faculty of Science office, the role holder will also have the opportunity to work with other administrative colleagues and with the Director of Natural Sciences, to support the administration of the Natural Sciences programme.

We are looking forward to welcoming someone to join our team in this new post who: possesses excellent organisational and time management skills; shows initiative and flexibility; demonstrates commitment to delivering excellent levels of service and is looking forward to playing a leading role in the development of new and exciting interdisciplinary teaching programmes.

Core responsibilities:

• Recognised professional practitioner and management and/or service specialist with responsibility for the management of projects and project team members.
• Experienced manager with responsibility for the management of a complex teaching and learning environment, providing senior leadership of the administration of the programmes.
• Provide input to the design and development of service processes, techniques and deliverables for one or more service areas or projects, supporting the Director with the development of new PGT programmes.
• Manage operational service activities to ensure excellence in the stakeholder experience.
• Contribute to the analysis of stakeholder feedback to help define needs and requirements, inputting to the design and planning of services.
• Internal and external relationship development and partnership working, networking and participation to engage and influence future services and the University reputation.
• Provide feedback on team and individual performance and identify development needs, conducting regular staff ADR and performance reviews.
• Handle the vast majority of HR issues within a team, referring more complex welfare issues to appropriate support services/senior management.
• Lead the team and the HR lifecycle, including recruitment, induction, coaching, mentoring and training of team members.
• Delivery of ongoing coaching, mentoring and training to team members.
• Maintain an awareness of current policy for University business goals such as widening participation and access.
• Contribute to business meetings, working groups and sub committees at departmental and operational service levels.
• Devolve responsibilities to team members to ensure continuity of service provision and encourage skills development.
• Responsible for managing programme budgets, keeping records and assessing actual expenditure against an agreed financial plan.

Role responsibilities:

• Contribute to strategic projects and initiatives, working with the Director of Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Taught (PGT) and other colleagues to inform planning and developments in line with the Faculty strategy.
• Manage specific projects to develop and enhance teaching and learning opportunities, particularly the development of new programmes.
• Provide leadership and management for all administration aspects of programme delivery and/or processes ensuring a high quality and timely service to all stakeholders, including prospective, existing and past students and staff, ensuring that robust and secure systems are in place to ensure programme delivery to the highest standards, whilst meeting appropriate deadlines.
• Liaise with central administration teams, particularly Student Registry with regard to timetabling, examinations, etc., Careers and Employability Service, Alumni Office.
• Oversee the process for PGT student engagement, dealing with complaints and complex issues, with referral and signposting to University services where appropriate and acting as disability representative.
• Within the context of the Recruiting the Next Generation of Students programme, liaise with the Student Recruitment and Admissions Office to ensure that those with admissions responsibility within the Faculty are working effectively with support services to recruit and select the most appropriate candidates.
• Oversee and support the delivery of open events, recruitment fairs, and visits, including working with the Directors to ensure the maintenance of a distinctive web and social media presence
• Manage and monitor performance and workload outcomes and/or staff e.g. line managing the Faculty PGT Coordinator, planning cover to ensure smooth service provision through peaks and troughs.
• Analyse and evaluate student feedback and provide reports and statistical data to Senior Management, identifying areas for improvement and making recommendations to inform future strategy
• Be a recognised source of expertise, providing advice to stakeholders in relation to University, and/or Faculty policy, procedures and regulations, representing the Director of Interdisciplinary PGT at relevant Committees etc.
• Ensure the review and improvement of systems and procedures in line with University and Faculty framework.
• Ensure regulations and procedures are updated to take account of internal and external changes.
• Coordinate and oversee committee working, acting as Secretary to the Board of Examiners, providing advice and support to the Board and external examiners, demonstrating a detailed knowledge and understanding of assessment rules, regulations and procedures, and providing support for appeals and assessment irregularities.
• Maintain awareness of the external environment and sector best practice to support high quality services.
• Ensure the Faculty’s profile, integrity and quality is maintained through good customer care practices.
• Anticipate changes in the needs of the students and ensure that support mechanisms are established, maintained and developed to meet and manage student expectations.
• Contribute to the review of programmes, e.g. participating in the annual review of taught programmes, managing the curriculum review process.
• Any other reasonable duties. 

Specific role requirements

• On occasion the Learning and Teaching Manager may be required to work outside of core hours e.g. to support student recruitment activities etc. Such requirements will be agreed in advance with the Director of Interdisciplinary PGT or other member of Faculty management.

Recruiting to this post

In order to be considered for interview, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above (including those listed in the section ‘Realising Your Potential Approach’). 

In some cases, the recruiting panel may also consider the desirable criteria, so we recommend you evidence all criteria in your application. 

Please note that some criteria will only be considered at interview stage.

How to apply

We prefer to receive applications online. Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement https://www.dur.ac.uk/ig/dp/privacy/pnjobapplicants/ that provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

What you are required to submit

1. A CV;
2. A covering letter that details your experience, strengths and potential in the requirements set out above;
3. Examples of how you satisfy the person specification essential criteria. Please ensure you give detailed examples of how you meet these criteria.

Please ensure that you submit all documentation listed above or your application cannot proceed to the next stage.

Contact details

For further information please contact the Faculty Manager Sarah Wilbourn on; sarah.wilbourn@durham.ac.uk

At Durham University, our aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.  We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

We will notify you on the status of your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system.  Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails.

Person specification - skills, knowledge, qualifications and experience required

Essential Criteria

• Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to develop excellent working relationships both internally and externally
• Proven IT skills, including use of Microsoft Office.
• Five GCSE’s at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics (or equivalent experience).
• Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).
• Continuing professional development required to maintain professional recognition.
• Professional practitioner with knowledge and expertise used to contribute to the delivery and development of administrative services.
• Experience of implementing policy and procedures and involvement with future changes for a service area.
• Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.  
• Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including colleagues that are more senior.
• Experience of being able to network effectively and develop strong and productive working relationships, to influence perceptions of the University.
• Experience of managing and developing a team or teams and/or line management qualification.

Desirable

• Administrative experience in an academic or Further or Higher Education environment

Realising Your Potential Approach

The Realising Your Potential Approach clarifies the behaviours expected to be demonstrated by all staff across Professional Services in the University regardless of their role. Along with the core responsibilities, role responsibilities and the person specification, the Realising Your Potential Approach behavioural indicators are used to inform the recruitment and selection process. Further information on the Realising Your Potential Approach is available here.

DBS Requirement: Not Applicable.