Internal Only - Business Manager, Education & Student Experience

18476BR

Vice Chancellor's Office

Managerial, Professional and Specialist Staff – MPSS

Advert

This post is currently open to employees of Cardiff University only.  Please do not apply if you do not have a current contract of employment with the University.

SECONDMENT OPPORTUNITY / FIXED TERM CONTRACT (12 Month Maternity Cover)
Available from June 2024

This 12-month (maternity cover) secondment opportunity as Business Manager to the Pro Vice-Chancellor (PVC) for Education & Student Experience (ESE) has arisen at an exciting time of change for the University and within the Education & Student Experience portfolio. 

Under the leadership of the PVC ESE, the successful candidate will be responsible for supporting the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Education and Student Experience through co-ordination and liaison, high level advice and business management across full range of the PVC portfolio, working closely with colleagues in the Vice-Chancellor's Office and Professional Service teams across the University. Work will be varied, project focused and will depend on the priorities of the University at any given time. 

Indicative key priority work during the 12-month secondment will be:
•    Managing the key outputs from the Y Sgwrs Fawr | The Big Conversation for Education & Student Experience, including coordination of any implementation plan as applied to the ESE portfolio.
•    Working with key Professional Services staff in its preparation the University for Quality Enhancement Review, a six yearly external review of the University’s standards for learning and teaching and approach to enhancement of the student experience.
•    Keeping abreast of and managing any impact from the transition of the Welsh regulatory body, Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) to the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research (CTER).

The post is available as a full-time secondment/fixed term contract position for a period of 12 months to cover maternity leave. 

The starting date will ideally commence from early June 2024. Claire Morgan, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education & Student Experience would be pleased to offer interested candidates the opportunity of an informal discussion ahead of any application; please contact her PA, Steven Nagle ([email protected]) to arrange this.

Salary: £59,241 - £64,914 per annum (Grade 8)

Interview date to be confirmed.

Closing date: Friday, 26 April 2024

External applications are currently not being considered for this post.  If the decision is made to open the post to external candidates, the strapline at the top will be removed and you will be given ample time to apply – please check back periodically for details.

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds.  We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Job Description

Provision and coordination of cross-portfolio business management support and high-level advice to the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education & Student Experience.

1.    As a member of the Vice Chancellor’s Office senior professional team, take lead responsibility for ensuring the effective interface between the PVC ESE, that team and the wider professional services.

2.    Act as a high level, strategic advisor for the PVC ESE, collaborating with University management as required, to develop policies, projects and procedures that impact on the whole University.

3.    Ensure the provision of high-level strategic and policy support for the PVC ESE, UEB and wider senior leadership team to support decision-making and implementation in relation to the Education and Student Experience portfolio. This may include providing/commissioning relevant research, analyses, and horizon-scanning to support and inform the development of University policy; contributing to early-stage policy/strategy discussions; liaising with external bodies; liaising with senior members of staff across the University on proposals for consideration and preparing reports and other relevant documentation on behalf of the PVC ESE.

4.    Take lead responsibility for the establishment and effective operation of appropriate committee structures and wider governance in support of the PVC ESE portfolio.

5.    To act as coordinator and secretary to relevant committees and working groups as appropriate.

6.    The above functions will be delivered either directly or by close working with relevant professional services teams and senior academic staff across the University. Key indicators of success for the role will be the effectiveness of the PVC ESE, impactful engagement of professional services in activities which support the Pro Vice-Chancellor’s strategic role and progress in relation to the University strategy and key performance indicators. 

7.    To establish excellent working relationships with the Students’ Union officers and professional colleagues, in support of the Pro Vice-Chancellor’s strategic role and progress in relation to the University strategy.

8.    Maintain an in-depth knowledge of best practice in areas relevant to the post and proactively keep abreast of developments in the HE sector nationally and internationally to inform strategic planning, policy, regulation, and service development.

9.    Support the wider work of the Vice Chancellor’s Office, operating effectively as a member of a high performing professional and collegial team.

10.    Any other duties required by PVC, but which will be consistent with the role.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

1.    Experience of working within Higher Education in a policy development, project management or strategic advisory role, with demonstrable range of experience across different parts of the University or sector, and a sound understanding of the inter-relationships of the core academic and support functions.
2.    Able to demonstrate professional knowledge and recent experience of student experience and education enhancement strategy and operations in a higher education environment and to give advice and guidance to internal and external customers.
3.    Proven expertise in leading and managing complex activities and projects using initiative and creativity, including the development of plans, management of resources, timelines, risk, and issues, change management and the dissemination and evaluation of outcomes.
4.    Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate conceptually detailed and complex information effectively and professionally to a wide range of audiences, including senior management.
5.    Aptitude to quickly master a complex brief on a broad range of complex issues, whilst working on a wide range of issues to tight deadlines and maintaining strict confidentiality where relevant.
6.    A sound understanding of the key external stakeholders of the University and of their key strategies, policies, and drivers, as well as of the current challenges and opportunities facing universities in Wales, the UK and internationally.
7.    Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues across and external to the University, including developing networks through which to contribute to long term developments and being an active, supportive, and encouraging participant in high performing teams.
8.    Evidence of excellent organisational abilities to prioritise and manage own workload and undertake and deliver specific short-, medium- and longer-term projects
9.    Able to advice and influence senior management through evidence-based research and personal authority, with proven experience of analysing and using complex data and information
10.    Educated to degree level or equivalent, sustained, and relevant professional experience.

Desirable Criteria

11.    Postgraduate/Professional qualification
12.    Fluency in the Welsh language, written and oral

Job Category

Business / Strategic Management