Hours
35.75 hours per week (1.0 FTE)
Contract Basis
Fixed Term Maternity Cover until end November 2018
Location
Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh
Role/Subject Specific Information
The University Secretary's Group brings together a range of professional staff who work together to provide highly professional support to a range of internal and external stakeholders, including applicants, students, staff and members of Court.
The Division of External Liaison and Student Services comprise a number of inter-professional teams within Admissions, Recruitment and International Liaison, Outreach and Community Engagement, and Student Services.
The Admissions Manager is a key role within the University, responsible for the effective operational delivery of key strategic aims relating to admissions. The development of and review of fair, transparent and centralised admissions policies and procedures will be a key outcome. The Admissions Manager will manage the day to day operations of the Admissions team. This will include regular liaison with academic staff, managing offers, reporting application numbers against targets and leading on confirmation and clearing activities.
Excellent communication skills, an ability to work with others and manage multiple priorities and deadlines will be essential. Experience within Admissions and use of student records systems will be required.
Role Purpose
Admissions staff are concerned with providing prospective applicants and their advisers, academic staff and senior management with appropriate and up-to-date information on all aspects of the admissions process at QMU.
Staff within the Admissions function act as a key interface between applicants, subject areas, and external agencies, including UCAS, and provide professional advice and support to Admissions tutors. The Admissions Manager will develop and implement policy and procedures in relation to all of the above.
Principal duties or Key objectives
The Admissions Manager will be expected to
Develop and direct the admissions strategy, working in close co-operation with the Assistant Secretary, the Deans, the Head of Outreach and Community Engagement, Head of Planning and Heads of other support departments
Lead and manage projects, initiatives and other activities in pursuit of the University's strategic admissions objectives and priorities. In particular, centralise admissions offer making process and review the prospective student journey, taking forward projects and developments to enhance service
Ensure provision of effective management information relating to admissions to the University
Ability to produce timely documents and reports and develop new and existing policy documents related to Admissions e.g. an Admissions Report, Admissions Policy reviews, Admissions updates for Executive Board and regular Information Management and Reporting
Build effective relationships with key external stakeholders and with colleagues across the University in pursuit of admissions objectives and be an active and contributing member of a range of internal committees, including the Student Numbers Planning Group. In addition, represent QMU on external committees such as the UCAS Scottish Standing Group
Manage the Admissions team and demonstrate strong leadership ability, ensure the provision of relevant training, development and support for staff, undertake Performance Enhancement Reviews of direct reports, work to create and maintain a high performing culture, personal and team development and retention
Manage the day to day operations of the Admissions team, including workloads and course allocations
The post holder would be a key institutional contact for UKVI and for overseeing various admissions processes such as disclosures and criminal convictions
The post holder will be expected to self-start, but will report to the Assistant Secretary, External Liaison and Student Services with whom regular meetings will be held to monitor performance in key results areas
Develop and promote the efficient and appropriate use of the Student Information System to ensure integrity of data relating to student application and admission in fulfilment of the University's core business requirements
Work in close partnership with other managers within the External Liaison and Student Services team, and the wider University Secretary's Group, in support of the achievement of operational and strategic objectives and in order to ensure the enhancement of service provision
Oversee admissions related conversion activities from the point of application to pre-induction informationPerson Specification - Essential
Honours degree or equivalent
Strong evidence of specialist knowledge relevant to Admission to Higher Education
Demonstrable evidence of operational management or supervisory experience gained within either the education sector or within a knowledge-based organisation
Demonstrable evidence of having contributed to institutional development at a strategic level
Proven leadership and staff management skills, involving management of professional staff
Excellent verbal and written communication, coupled with strong interpersonal skills that engage with people across the spectrum of responsibilities and experiences
Strong understanding of the strategic and financial issues facing Higher Education
Commitment to, and understanding of, equal opportunities issues relating to staff and student matters within a diverse and multicultural environmentPerson Specification - Desirable
Relevant postgraduate qualification and/or evidence of other appropriate CPD
Familiarity with, and understanding of, student number planning
Excellent working knowledge of the enquirer and applicant journey
Experience of the Tribal SITS Student Records system