Senior Academic Administrator (Headingley)

Department: Provost

Location: Leeds, Manchester, or East London

Type of Contract: Permanent

Working Pattern: Full-Time, 40hrs per week

Salary Range: £40,000-£42,500

Our Vision: Changing lives through education. GBS is a higher education provider offering a range of sector-relevant courses across ten campuses in London, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester. Working in partnership with several of the UK’s leading higher education providers, we deliver vocational, undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in finance, accounting, business, construction, tourism, healthcare, and more.

About the Role: The Senior Academic Administrator provides high-level administrative and operational support within the Provost’s Office, working across all faculties and areas within the Provost portfolio. Reporting to the Head of the Provost’s Office, they will support the effective delivery of academic administration, committee activity and operational coordination across all Faculties. Please note, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this position.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide comprehensive administrative and operational support to the Head of the Provost’s Office and wider Provost area.
• Manage administrative tasks including maintenance of records and paperwork from collaborative partnerships and, often working closely with colleagues e.g. Deans, Associate Deans, Cohort Leaders and Faculty Managers.
• Support projects and ongoing operational activity across the Provost’s Office and wider institution.
• Maintain and update databases, systems and administrative records with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Work closely with senior academic and professional services staff across Faculties and departments.
• Organise meetings, events and operational activity involving students, staff and external stakeholders.
• Provide high-quality meeting support, including preparing agendas, coordinating papers, taking accurate minutes and monitoring follow-up actions.
• Assist with the preparation of reports, presentations, briefing papers and other documentation.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues across all faculties and departments.
• Handle confidential and sensitive information with professionalism, discretion and sound judgement.
• Work independently to manage competing priorities and ensure deadlines are consistently met.
• Assist in coordinating the work of junior staff or colleagues where required.
• Undertake occasional travel in support of institutional meetings, projects or events.
• Carry out additional duties appropriate to the level of the role as required by the Head of the Provost’s Office or Provost.

What We’re Looking For:

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification and relevant administrative experience, ideally within higher education or another complex professional environment.
• Strong administrative and organisational skills with the ability to manage a demanding workload effectively.
• Excellent committee servicing and note taking experience with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Advanced IT skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• A professional, reliable and hard-working approach with the ability to remain calm under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships across academic and professional services teams.
• The ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• A flexible and adaptable approach to work, including willingness to support activity across different areas and undertake occasional travel when required, as well as work in the office full time.

Why Join GBS?

• 25 days annual leave, plus 8 public holidays
• 1-day extra leave per year of service, up to a maximum of 5 days
• Discretionary annual performance bonus
• £500 award employee referral scheme
• Workplace pension scheme
• Tuition reimbursement for career development courses
• Flexible Benefits: Cycle to Work, Workplace Nursery, Techscheme and much more
• Perks@Work discounts platform, wellbeing centre and much more
• Reward and recognition programme

GBS supported my development by enrolling me in an external Leadership and Management course, which equipped me with the tools to drive my team towards continued growth and success. Before joining GBS, I did not envision myself as a manager, but I have now found my passion in leadership. — Ebony Bates (Professional Services Employee)