Deputy Head of Academic Administration

About the role

We are seeking to appoint an experienced Deputy Head of Academic Administration to deliver a varied, complex and stimulating workstream, on a permanent, full-time basis. You will be an excellent communicator and strong leader to support our postgraduate team, and be committed to delivering an exceptional student experience through first-rate administration of the Mathematical Institute’s postgraduate programmes.

The Mathematical Institute has a large cohort of around 500 postgraduate students, split across two research degree programmes and five MSc programmes, each one unique with places in high demand. As Deputy Head of Academic Administration, you will provide expert advice and guidance to academics, students, senior departmental officers, and other professional services staff on funding opportunities, student progression and examination.

You will also often be the first port of call for our postgraduate students, building a rapport and providing supportive advice and guidance as required. You will undertake complex student casework; service various academic committees within the department; manage projects; and contribute to the MPLS Division and wider University through membership of committees and working groups.

You will play a key leadership role in the Academic Administration team, line managing three colleagues and overseeing their professional development. You will work closely with the Director of Graduate Studies (Research), the Director of Graduate Studies (Taught), the MSc Course Directors and the Head of Academic Administration, for whom you will also deputise when required.

About you
We are looking for candidates who are able to provide strategic and operational advice to a number of academic and professional services colleagues, and can demonstrate a significant breadth and depth of knowledge to ably advise students. You will have an honours degree or equivalent experience and evidence of strong intellectual capacity and analytical skills, be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, and demonstrate an ability to gain the confidence of a wide range of people. You will also have experience of staff management involving a diverse workforce, experience of committee servicing at a senior level, and be able to manage and prioritise a complex portfolio of work to meet deadlines.

We proudly hold a departmental Athena SWAN Silver Award and an institutional Race Equality Charter Bronze Award, which guide our progress towards advancing racial and gender equality. As part of our strategic aim to improve staff equality and diversity, we would particularly welcome applications from BME candidates, who are currently under-represented in positions of this type within the department.

What We Offer

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

•               An excellent contributory pension scheme

•               38 days annual leave

•               A comprehensive range of childcare services

•               Family leave schemes

•               Cycle loan scheme

•               Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans

•               Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs

Application Process

If you would like to discuss the role and the department in more detail, please contact Charlotte Turner-Smith, Head of Academic Administration, via email:  

. Informal enquiries regarding the application process should be directed to the Recruitment Coordinator ( 

), quoting vacancy reference 172812.

Applicants should read the job description document before writing their application. You will be required to upload a supporting statement, setting out how you meet the selection criteria, a curriculum vitae and the names and contact details of two referees as part of your online application.

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online. To apply for this post and for further details, including the job description and selection criteria, please click on the “APPLY NOW” link below.

Only applications received before 12:00 noon UK time on Monday 03 June 2024 can be considered.

Interviews for this position are taking place on Monday 17 June 2024.