Vice-Principal x 4 St Cuthbert's, St Mary's, Stephenson and Ustinov in Bath

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Core Responsibilities

• 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 the non‑staff college financial budget and resources relating to WSE.
• Contribute to the definition, development and implementation of service standards.
• Deliver activities and participate with others to generate external income where appropriate.
• Provide expertise aimed at furthering the College and University Strategy, especially in relation to the personal development of students, and oversee the provision of student support in partnership with the Student Experience Directorate.

Planning and Organising

• Contribute to the scoping and resource planning across a range of activities at operational and strategic levels.
• Lead on the design, implementation and monitoring of policy and quality standards, procedures and systems to ensure effective working and continuous improvement.
• Analyse stakeholder feedback, implementing and reviewing service provision.
• Lead the development of appropriate structures, procedures and initiatives for maximising students' personal development and optimising student support within the College.
• Develop and maintain a vibrant and distinctive community in which students are able to grow and develop in confidence academically, socially and culturally.
• Take responsibility for student disciplinary matters in consultation with the Head of College, liaising where required with relevant support departments.
• Hold responsibility for leading the College and representing it at meetings in the absence of the Head of College.

Teamwork and Team Development

• Manage and develop service, infrastructure and people performance across one or more teams.
• Provide feedback on team and individual performance and identify development needs, conducting regular staff ADR and performance reviews.
• Help to shape the skills and expertise of future team members and design work structures to meet operational and strategic goals.
• Handle most HR issues within a team, referring more complex HR issues to appropriate support services/senior management.
• Devolve responsibilities to team members to ensure continuity of service provision and encourage skills development.
• Ensure staff provide a confident, accessible, friendly and professional service by shaping processes for inducting and developing staff.

Communication / Liaison

• Deliver a specialist service using creativity and innovation for communication and promotion purposes, to engage and influence internal and external stakeholders.
• 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.
• Develop external relations, identifying and developing opportunities for communities of practice, employers, alumni and donors to contribute to the College via extra‑curricular activities and increased levels of participation.
• Build and sustain an influential network of contacts both internally and externally to influence and promote the reputation of the College and the University.
• Represent the College and University at promotional events, marketing them effectively to potential student applicants, parents, schools and sponsors; contribute to the delivery of presentations at conferences.

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.
• Provide professional guidance and advice to students and service users with complaints and referrals.
• Any other reasonable duties.

Specific Role Requirements

• Being an integral and visible member of the College community, working some evenings and weekends to support the delivery of College's activities and initiatives.
• Participating in out of hours rota duties for the provision of emergency cover.

Requirements

• Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).
• Experience in promotion of student personal development.
• A good understanding of higher education in the UK and an appreciation of the role of colleges in a collegiate University.
• Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including students and senior colleagues.
• Experience of being able to network effectively and develop strong and productive working relationships, to influence positive perceptions of the University.
• Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential issues.
• A commitment to issues of diversity, equality and inclusion and the University's values.
• Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, business systems.
• Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.
• Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.
• Ability to contribute to planning at operational and strategic levels.
• Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of alumni/stakeholder engagement using an alumni database or Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system.
• Track record of staff management and development experience.
• Financial literacy and ability to liaise with finance colleagues over budget matters and financial transactions.
• Experience of working in a diverse and multi‑cultural environment and an understanding of needs of students from minority groups.
• Experience of providing pastoral support to students.

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.

Benefits

• You will receive 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.
• We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discounts with local bus and train companies.
• You can also take advantage of our cost‑effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand‑new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.
• We have 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.
• We provide wide‑ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state‑of‑the‑art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24‑7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• Our on‑site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5‑16.
• Our family‑friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
• You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
• Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for 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 dependent visas.

Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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.

Contract Details

The post is full‑time, fixed‑term for a 12‑month period and may be offered on an internal secondment basis subject to the agreement of the current line manager.