Academic Section
The Academic Section is part of the University's Professional Services and is headed by the Academic Registrar. The Section is responsible for managing all aspects of student and academic administration in partnership with Departments, Schools and Faculties. The Section plays a central role in delivering the University's commitment to excellence in education across the institution through the development and implementation of the University's Education Strategy, including the annual Education Action Plans, leading the delivery of University-wide projects and the development, review and implementation of effective policy in support of the University's academic mission. The Section is also the guardian of the student experience and leads, promotes and embeds the institutional commitment to putting students at the heart of everything we do.
Working in partnership with the Academic Registrar's Office, the main directorates of the Academic Section are: Academic Services and Student Life.
The Academic Services directorate is responsible for delivering effective, responsive and customer-focused academic services across the University, specifically relating to student records and progression, students systems and data, student assessment and graduation, quality and academic development, incoming and outgoing study abroad, higher and degree apprenticeships, academic partnerships and the postgraduate research framework. It also leads the operation of the institutional academic governance structures, including the operation of the Senate and its sub-committees.
The Student Life directorate draws together key elements of the student experience, particularly those relating to the educational aspects of student life and student success. This includes Student Support (including wellbeing, accessibility services, residence life, student finance, chaplaincy, the Student Services Hub), Employability and Careers and Student Engagement.
The Role and Duties
As part of the work to reshape the Academic Section and following a review of the Academic Registrar's Office, we are seeking to appoint a professional, enthusiastic and creative individual to fulfil the exciting new role of Operations and Development Manager. The postholder will work at the heart of the Academic Section, reporting directly to the Academic Registrar, and will play a key role in leading, influencing and supporting the delivery of real change across the Academic Section, particularly in the way the Section is managed and operates, supporting consistency in approach and underpinned by the 'One Section' principle. The postholder will also play a key role in the development, review and delivery of the Academic Section Plan, supporting implementation of key aspects of the commitments and actions identified in the Plan and will oversee an ambitious Continuous Improvement Programme as part of the work to support scaleability and the Section's continued preparedness for the University's ambitious and exciting growth agenda.
Qualification and Skills required
Applicants should possess an honours degree (2.1 or above) or substantial equivalent experience, a minimum of 3 A levels or equivalent qualifications and 5 GCSE passes at grades A-C or equivalent, including English Language and Maths.
The successful candidate will have excellent administrative and organisational skills and be able to deal flexibly with a wide range of responsibilities and multiple priorities through experience developed while operating in a fast paced environment. You will be a clear thinker with a sound knowledge and understanding of both academic frameworks and regulations and deploying project management principles to support the delivery of agreed objectives and action plans. Experience of policy development, budget management and report writing are essential along with an appreciation of the role of IT systems in supporting business processes.
With an ability to lead and motivate colleagues in pursuit of agreed objectives, you will possess excellent communication skills, including a high standard of written English, and be able to demonstrate good judgement and consider new ideas. Your excellent interpersonal skills will enable you to establish productive working relationships with a wide range of people, deliver effective and authoritative advice and work as part of a team.
At the University of Essex internationalism is central to who we are and what we do. We are committed to being a cosmopolitan, internationally-oriented university that is welcoming to staff and students from all countries and a university where you can find the world in one place.
Please see the further detail link below for a full job description and person specification which outlines the full duties, skills, qualifications and experience needed for this role plus more information relating to the post. We recommend you read this information carefully before making an application. Applications should be made on-line, but if you would like advice or help in making an application, or need information in a different format, please telephone the Resourcing Team (01206 874588/873521).
*Further detail: Operations and Development Manager (Academic Section) jobpack
*More information: Working at the University