Deputy Faculty Manager - Social Sciences and Health

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 Social Sciences and Health is one of Durham University’s four Faculties, and is home to a diverse community of staff and students across eight academic departments and Schools: Anthropology, Archaeology, Education, Geography, Government and International Affairs, Law, Sociology and Sport and Exercise Sciences. The Faculty is also responsible for interdisciplinary programmes in Combined Social Sciences and Research Methods and is working towards developing a broader range of interdisciplinary programmes at postgraduate taught level. Our inclusive, creative, and innovative research environment provides our students with an inspiring learning experience and enables us to produce world-leading research within and across Departments, Research Centres and Institutes. 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 academic and professional support colleagues throughout the Faculty of Social Sciences and Health and in the wider University on projects and initiatives that support the delivery of strategic priorities and plans as defined by the Executive Dean and/or Faculty Manager. While it is expected that these projects and initiatives will change over time, key projects in the first instance will include:

·         the establishment of the Faculty’s Multidisciplinary Hub;

·         the establishment and oversight of the Faculty’s Recruitment and Admissions Management Group;

·         project support for the development of the University’s ‘Health @ Durham’ Strategy.

The Deputy Faculty Manager will undertake line management responsibility for some of the Faculty teams, which include: Doctoral Training Programmes; Learning and Teaching and Faculty Administration; Digital Learning Development; Fieldwork Support; Student Support; Temporary Staffing Service and Finance and will support the Faculty Manager in key aspects of the wider Faculty operations.  Line management arrangements may change from time to time to meet the evolving needs of the Faculty. The Deputy Faculty Manager must have strong line management experience in a University Context and a breadth of Higher Education experience across support for Teaching, Research and broader operations.  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.

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 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 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.  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

Qualifications/Experience
1.    Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).
2.    Professional practitioner with specialist knowledge and expertise to influence service delivery, events and activities within the organisation.
3.    Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.
4.    Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and positively influence the University’s reputation.
5.    Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting service improvements.
6.    Track record of management and development experience and/or an enhanced management qualification applied across a large service team or teams.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
7.    Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally
8.    Excellent digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including  digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, project planning, financial systems, recruitment tools
9.    Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.
10.    Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.
11.    Ability to contribute to planning at operational and strategic levels.
12.    Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.

Desirable criteria

 1.    A working familiarity with Teaching and Research in a Social Science context.

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 Dr Richard Bruce, Faculty Manager ([email protected]) 

Typical Role Requirements

Service Delivery/Development
•    Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.
•    Develop and apply an in-depth understanding of university policy and external developments when carrying out your role.
•    Ensure all activities, processes and transactions are accounted for accurately and promptly to meet regulatory and professional service and policy standards.
•    Use your managerial and leadership expertise to identify priorities and shape Faculty Operations to achieve the required outcomes.
•    Look for ways to continually improve services and take a lead role in the development and implementation of assigned policies, processes and standards.
•    Initiate and manage business process reviews to improve the service in your area.
•    Ensure data (commercially sensitive and/or personal) is appropriately stored and managed.
•    Manage quality and regulatory audits of systems and procedures.
•    Support the welfare, wellbeing and employment of your staff by providing professional guidance

 Planning and Organisation

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

Team Development
•    Manage and develop the people, performance and resources across at least one of the Faculty teams, Doctoral Training Programmes; Learning and Teaching and Faculty Administration; Digital Learning Development; Fieldwork Support; Student Support; Temporary Staffing Service 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.

•    Help shape the skills and expertise needed to deliver a professional service by recruiting, inducting and training team members and structuring the team in way that will best meet operational and strategic priorities.
•    Carry out regular performance reviews to provide feedback on objectives and expectations and identify any development needs.
•    Handle most HR issues and support the welfare and wellbeing of your team referring more complex issues to specialist services or more senior managers.

Communication/Liaison
•    Use your professional knowledge to identify and recommend priorities for long-term business plans.
•    Design creative and innovative communications to promote and increase engagement relating to the Faculty.
•    Lead business meetings, working groups and sub-committees at operational service level to influence governance, organisational policy and standards for the service.
•    Create strong working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills, swap information with peers and positively influence the University’s reputation.
•    Represent the Faculty and University at promotional events.

•    Any other reasonable duties.

Useful links

If you would like further information you may find the following will help

  
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.