Assistant Director (Strategy, Planning and Insight Office)

The University 
 
At Durham University we are proud of our people.  A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.  We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here

The Role and Department 

The purpose of the Strategy, Planning and Insight Office (SPIO) is to work collaboratively to help people to make effective evidence-based decisions and take forward plans and actions aligned to the University’s Strategy. The team has an excellent reputation in the sector for the quality of its work and plays an influential enabling role in relation to the long-term development of Durham University. We seek to be at forefront of professional practice in strategic analysis, development and institutional planning, providing exceptional service in strengthening the reputation, performance and financial sustainability of the University.

SPIO service areas include University Strategy Development and Review, Integrated Planning, Business Intelligence, Management Information, Strategic Review of Academic Departments, Risk Management, Forecasting, and Market Insight for Programme Development and Pricing. The team currently comprises some 22 staff members, including staff who are seconded to support the development of a University-wide Management Information Hub. The work of SPIO is complemented by the University’s Strategy Delivery Unit (SDU). The postholder will be expected to work closely with senior SDU colleagues to provide a joined-up service in relation to Strategy delivery, integrated planning and the commissioning and review of key initiatives and projects.

The core purpose of the role of Assistant Director is to lead the development and management the University’s Integrated Planning Process and to manage the associated planning functions for which the SPIO team is responsible. The Integrated Planning Process is a key vehicle for managing the delivery of the University’s Strategic Plan. It provides a critical framework for institutional decision making and resource allocation, bringing together core management processes relating to academic, financial and operating performance. You will have a high-profile institutional role and be expected to deputise for the Director in a range of institutional settings. You will be expected to work collaboratively with senior leaders across the University, ensuring effective integration of key institutional processes and management actions.

You will have the opportunity to work in partnership with a wide range of staff at all levels across the University, including members of the University Executive Committee (UEC) and Heads of Department and Professional Support Services.

This role requires collaborative working with Academic Faculties and Departments, the Colleges and Student Experience Division, the Strategy Delivery Unit, Finance Directorate, Student and Academic Services Directorate (including Recruitment and Admissions), Research and Innovation Services, the International Office, Human Resources and Organisation Development. You will represent the SPIO team on senior cross-institutional groups and will be expected to play a significant role in shaping key institutional decisions. 

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description. 
 
Working at Durham 

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits: 

•    30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.  
•    The University closes between Christmas and New Year 
•    We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
•    No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
•    There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.  There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.  All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities. 
•    Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
•    On site nursery is available and access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16 throughout the year.
•    Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
•    The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
•    Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions. 
•    A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits. 
•    If you are moving to Durham, we can help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools.  If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values 

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.  As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct.  At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI. 
 
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.  If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application.  If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification 
 
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role.  Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.   
 
Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.  Your application should cover the following criteria: 

Essential Criteria  

How to apply 

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. Candidates are expected to provide evidence of impact in relation to the criteria. 

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.    
 
Submitting your application  
 
We prefer to receive applications online.   We will update you about 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 make sure you have not missed any of our updates. 
 
What you need to submit    
 
•    A CV: and    
•    A supporting statement which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification.     

 
Contact details    
 

For a chat about the role or any further information please contact John Pritchard, Director of Strategic Planning and Insight – [email protected] 

Typical Role Requirements 
 

Service Delivery

·       Provide professional and strategic leadership for significant areas of the organisation, with lead responsibility for the University’s integrated planning process and accountability for the development and delivery of business plans and outputs.

·        Have a substantial impact on departmental direction, strategy and objectives.

·        Inform and enable the development of processes which impact significantly on University direction, strategy and objectives 

·        Contribute significantly to strategic planning and influence the development of departmental goals.

·        Lead, direct and manage the interrelationship of a team of managers and / or highly qualified professionals across the area of responsibility

·        Review and address departmental performance and make a significant impact upon longer-term improvements typically within a one year timescale.

·        Lead through appropriate consultation or negotiations, organisational changes to tackle major new issues and situations. 

·        Utilise problem solving skills to implement robust solutions to department / service issues.

·        Develop workforce plans and identify talent priorities to ensure the recruitment and retention of highly competent and professional staff.

·        Lead or contribute to internal and external business meetings, working groups and committees at departmental or functional service level to influence governance, policy and standards for the service and the development of the University in key areas related to planning, resources and performance.

·        Accountable for budget within area of responsibility.

·        Influence and shape the available resources as appropriate to meet the current and future needs of the University.

·        Deputise for the Director where required

·        Maintain clear and effective operational management to deliver agreed customer services, with responsibility for work planning and team development.

·        To seek out feedback about area of responsibility

·        Work with senior colleagues from all areas of the university, with committees and external bodies, providing high level advice.

·      Represent the university externally in sector groups in consultations and negotiations.

Analysis and Reporting

·        Work with senior colleagues in the Strategy, Planning and Insight Office and other senior members of professional services to lead the development of evidence based institutional planning and performance reporting.

·        Explore ways of improving efficiency and effectiveness and promote improvements in value for money.

·        Monitor performance over time within area of responsibility and identify areas of improvement.

·        Maintain a continuous review of quality and of external benchmarks to promote the best possible service.

Planning and Organising

·        Develop and lead the implementation of strategies and plans for the area of responsibility, or specialism, including alignment of plans across the University

·        Work with the Director on the to the development and delivery of departmental strategy and policy

·        Lead projects and initiatives which have significant resources and impact.

·        Required to forward plan over a significant timescale across the University, typically over a five year period including institution-wide planning processes and establishing departmental service priorities.

Finance/Resource Management

·        Undertake and ensure financial plans are developed and that services operate effectively within budget for the department/team.

·        Explore ways of improving efficiency and effectiveness and promote value for money.

People Management

·        Lead and manage staff in a major departmental area or service grouping, developing and raising performance through mentoring and coaching and team development activities.

·        Motivate, assess and reward of employees as required under university policy.

Continuous Improvement

·        Undertake continuous review of departmental quality and of external benchmarks to promote the best possible service.

Communication

·        Undertake day to day interaction with people of any level, within or outside of the organisation, especially senior managers.

·    Any other reasonable duties as required.

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 Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.    
When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.