Deputy Faculty Manager

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 Faculty of Science is one of Durham University’s four Faculties, and is home to a diverse community of staff and students across eight academic departments: Biosciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Mathematical Sciences, Physics and Psychology. The Faculty is also responsible for the broad-ranging undergraduate Natural Sciences Degree Programme, which allows students to study science alongside two or more other subjects, and the Postgraduate Master of Data Science programme, which provides training in relevant areas of contemporary data science in a supportive research-led interdisciplinary learning environment. Our inclusive, creative, and innovative research environment provides our students with an inspiring learning experience and enables us to produce world-leading research. The diverse nature of the activities that take place across the Faculty and the role of the Faculty Office in supporting the development and delivery of strategic objectives provides our staff with a stimulating and engaging work environment.

In collaboration with the Faculty Leadership team, the Deputy Faculty Manager will support and drive the strategic aims and objectives of the Faculty and ensure engagement and successful implementation of local and University-wide projects and initiatives.  Providing impactful support to the Executive Dean, Faculty Manager and Deputy Executive Deans, the Deputy Faculty Manager will work in partnership with colleagues throughout the Faculty of Science and University on projects and initiatives that support the delivery of strategic priorities and plans as defined by the Executive Dean and/or Faculty Manager. As an example, this would include development and supporting new taught programmes across the departments and the Faculty Education Hub.

The Deputy Faculty Manager will have line management responsibility for at least one of the Faculty teams, which include: Learning and Teaching; Faculty Administration; Digital Learning Developers; Student Support and Finance and will support the Faculty Manager in key aspects of the wider Faculty operations.  The Deputy Faculty Manager must have strong project management experience and an understanding of key project management methodologies.  With high levels of initiative and ability to work independently, the Deputy Faculty Manager will have proven leadership skills and experience of working with and presenting complex data and influencing at a senior level. This role requires on-site working but there will be opportunities for hybrid working in line with business need and alignment with the wider Faculty Office team.

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 this University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have 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 children’s clubs in the summer holidays. 
• 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 and inclusion 

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.  

Essential Criteria  

Desirable

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. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.  Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).

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 Sarah Wilbourn, Faculty Manager Science via [email protected]

Typical Role Requirements

Service Delivery

• Lead and contribute to projects and initiatives, working with colleagues to inform planning and developments in line with the Faculty’s strategic framework.
• Lead on the design, implementation and monitoring of policy and quality standards, procedures and systems to ensure effective working and continuous improvement.
• Ensure all activities, processes and transactions are accounted for accurately and promptly to meet regulatory and professional service and policy standards. 
• Implement processes to manage the integrity and security of all commercially and professionally sensitive and personal data. 
• Responsible for allocating and monitoring financial budgets and resources. 
• Manage quality and regulatory audit process for student and staff services over-arching systems and procedures. 
• Produce communications for promotion and reporting purposes, designing and structuring information and fact, applying creative and innovative principles to influence and engage.  
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.

Planning and Organising

• Contribute to the scoping and resource planning across a range of activities at operational and possibly strategic level. 
• Maintain an oversight of the service and performance metrics to provide reports for higher level managers and committees. 
• Set operational objectives for the scoping, initiation, planning and implementation of significant projects in service areas.

Teamwork and Team Development

• Manage and develop service, infrastructure and people performance across at least one of the Faculty teams, which include Learning and Teaching, Faculty Administration, Student Support, Digital Development and Finance teams and support the Faculty Manager in engaging and embedding initiatives and direction in Departments and Professional Services teams across the Faculty in collaboration with Departmental and Operational Leads.
• Deputise for the Faculty Manager in key committees, meetings and representing the Faculty on University groups. Devolve responsibilities to team members to ensure continuity of service provision and encourage skills development. 
• Ensure all stakeholder-facing staff provide an accessible, friendly and professional service by shaping processes for inducting and developing staff. 
• Provide feedback on team and individual performance and identify development needs, conducting regular staff ADR and performance reviews. 
• Recruit, induct, train and develop new team members. 
• Help to shape the skills and expertise of future team members and design work structures to meet operational and strategic goals. 
• Handle the vast majority of HR issues within a team, referring more complex HR issues to appropriate support services/senior management. 

Communication/Networking

• Liaise and engage with key stakeholders and internal and external contractors to influence opinion, delivery and reputation of services. 
• Lead internal business meetings, working groups and sub-committees at operational service level to influence governance, organisational policy and standards for the service. 
• Analyse stakeholder feedback, implementing and reviewing service provision. 
• Work with team members and stakeholders to build and maintain excellent working relationships. 
• Provide professional guidance to stakeholders regarding welfare, employment and wellbeing. 

Knowledge and Experience

• Provide expert professional subject and/or managerial and leadership expertise. 
• Promote and develop a deep understanding of organisational policy and external developments. 
• Deliver professional expertise with investigative and service methodologies, make recommendations and identify priorities to achieve business outcomes and objectives. 
• Represent the service and University at promotional events and contribute to the delivery of presentations at conferences. 
• Develop external relations, identify and develop opportunities for communities of practice, employers, alumni and donors via extra-curricular activities and increased levels of participation. 

•    Any other reasonable duties. 

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.