Head of Professional Services
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Job Purpose
Responsible for leading the School professional services team, the postholder will manage School support services for student learning and teaching operations, student recruitment and marketing, teaching planning and resourcing and general School operations.
Further, as a member of the School Executive Group, the postholder will play a key role in the development and successful implementation and delivery of the School's strategy for research and education.
As a key member of the College professional services leadership team the postholder will lead and contribute on behalf of the College to the University-wide change programme and foster alignment between the strategy and delivery of professional services at School, College, and University levels.
The post is based in the University of Glasgow's School of Social and Environmental Sustainability which is located in Dumfries.
The role reports directly to the Director of College Professional Services with day-to-day responsibility to the Head of School.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. Working as part of the School Executive Group, the postholder will develop and deliver the School strategy in line with the College and University's strategic objectives, evidenced by external measures including KPI's and targets such as NSS, research performance and return on investment.
2. Effectively leading the professional services team within the School, the postholder will be responsible for the delivery of an effective suite of professional services to ensure the School is fully supported in the management and delivery of its operational priorities.
3. As a member of the School Management Group, the postholder will project manage the strategic planning and review processes for the School, including horizon scanning and competitor benchmarking.
4. Lead/senior contributor on behalf of the School/College to the University-wide change programme aligned with improving the experience for students and staff.
5. As an accomplished professional partner, the postholder will advise and support the Head of School across several areas and project manage key strategic initiatives across the School.
6. The postholder will collaborate with senior academic colleagues to develop external partnerships and networks to contribute to regional economic development and enhance the School's reputation at local, national, and international levels.
7. On behalf of the School/College, the postholder will deliver effective, senior-level contributions to the University-wide change programme aligned with improving the experience for students and staff.
8. The postholder will ensure effective compliance on behalf of the School with the University's governance framework sourcing appropriate support from specialist/professional colleagues across the institution as required including Health & Safety.
9. In partnership with senior colleagues, the postholder will develop a robust framework to support compliance with relevant accreditation bodies and quality assurance processes.
10. The postholder will deliver operational excellence across the professional services teams within the School, supporting a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.
Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills, and Experience
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential
A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9, 10 or 11 (Ordinary/Honours Degree, Post Graduate Qualification) or equivalent, including being professionally qualified in a relevant discipline, with a broad range of professional experience in a similar management role. Or Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and management skills in a similar or number of different specialist roles.
A2 Knowledge of governance and business processes in a large complex organisation.
A3 Knowledge of Lean/Service improvement and change management.
A4 Knowledge of and understanding of the HE sector and potential challenges.
A5 Broad knowledge of financial management within a budgetary control framework.
Desirable
B1 A relevant post graduate degree Masters or PhD.
B2 Good knowledge of University funding and governance arrangements.
Skills
Essential
C1 Excellent communications and presentational skills.
C2 Excellent interpersonal skills, particularly influencing, negotiation and diplomacy.
C3 Proven track record in working effectively as part of a team, including leadership and successful delivery of strategic and operational projects.
C4 Proven track record of successful alignment of change across multiple levels within a large complex organisation.
C5 Proven track record of successful delivery of service improvement.
C6 Proven track record of successful project management.
C7 Resilient and able to maintain momentum in the face of challenges and setbacks.
C8 Understanding of financial planning and business analytics.
C9 Excellent customer service, stakeholder management and partnership skills.
C10 The ability to develop, deliver and articulate a clear vision.
C11 The ability to develop operational plans to support strategic initiatives.
C12 Excellent ability to empower and motivate others to deliver a high-performance culture in a participative manner.
Experience
Essential
E1 Extensive and recent administrative management/leadership role in a large complex organisation.
E2 Extensive and recent experience in a business partner role working with senior staff in the delivery of strategic objectives and major projects.
E3 Broad experience using Lean/other agile methodology in the delivery of significant benefits to the business through process and service improvement/change management programmes.
E4 Broad experience using Lean/other methodology in the delivery of significant benefits to the business through process and service improvement/change management programmes.
Interviews will take place on 12 February 2025.
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 8, £49,250 - £56,921 per annum.
This post is full time (35 hours per week) and open ended (permanent).
Closing Date: 30 January 2025 at 23:45