At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the ICT Helpdesk and ensure top-notch service delivery for students and staff.
- Company: Hull College, a leading vocational institute focused on creating careers.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 31 days annual leave, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team dedicated to empowering learners and staff alike.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Minimum Level 3 education; ITIL Foundation certification preferred.
The predicted salary is between 31795 - 31795 £ per year.
- Hull
- Working Hours: 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year
Annual Leave: 31 days per annum (excluding bank holidays and up to 3 additional discretionary days over the Christmas/New Year period)
As our Support Manager, you will lead the College's ICT Helpdesk and day-to-day service delivery function, ensuring students, staff and external stakeholders receive a consistently excellent, professional and responsive customer experience across all support channels.
The post holder will also lead on procurement administration and supplier management for ICT, negotiating contract renewals, licensing and costs, and takes ownership of ICT budget monitoring and financial reporting to the Executive Director.
Hull College provides high-quality education & training for school leavers & adults, offering a wide range of vocational study programmes, Apprenticeships & degrees.
As one of the largest vocational institutes of its kind in the region, we have one focus - to create careers, not courses.
We pride ourselves on this approach & are committed to ensuring our learners acquire the relevant skills, knowledge, attitudes & experience to progress in life, whether that is to seek employment in the industry of their choice or step up to higher education & university.
While dedicated to delivering the very best experiences to our learners, we also extend the same commitment to our staff.
We have worked hard to create an environment where all of our staff, no matter what their role, are empowered to inspire & support our vision to create better futures for the people of Hull.
Responsibilities of our Support Manager
- Champion a customer-first culture across the ICT and Digital teams, ensuring every interaction reflects professionalism, empathy and ownership.
- Act as the escalation point for all internal and external ICT service enquiries received by phone, email, self-service portal, chat and in person, including oversight of out-of-hours support cover.
- Own and continuously improve the self-service portal, knowledge base and AI-assisted triage/chatbot tools so routine queries are resolved quickly with minimal manual intervention.
- Negotiate, agree and take ownership of service level requirements with academic and business stakeholders across the Group.
- Hold regular meetings with stakeholders across curriculum, student services and corporate functions to understand emerging needs and pain points.
- Drive a service improvement plan, using incident and satisfaction data to identify and deliver measurable improvements.
- Lead communication and negotiation with third-party suppliers on contract renewals, licensing and costs, securing best value for the College.
- Administer the ICT procurement and finance process, maintaining accurate purchase and asset records in line with College financial regulations.
- Line-manage the 1st line team, developing a talent pool and succession plan to sustain an outstanding service to learners, employers and staff.
- Set, monitor and report monthly on KPIs and SLA performance (target vs. achieved), presenting trends and improvement actions to senior leadership.
- What we’re looking for in our Support Manager
- Educated to Level 3 (A-Level or equivalent) as a minimum; a relevant degree or professional qualification is desirable.
- ITIL Foundation certification (or willingness to achieve within 6 months of appointment).
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, able to explain technical issues clearly to non-technical audiences.
- Basic awareness of cyber security risks (e. g. phishing, safe use of credentials) sufficient to triage and expand appropriately.
- Awareness of Microsoft 365 (Teams, Outlook, Copilot) and modern collaboration tools used across a College environment.
- Confident using data and reporting tools (e. g. Excel, Power BI, or equivalent) to analyse performance and present findings.
- Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines across multiple sites.
Hull College is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
All colleagues are expected to contribute to the delivery of their safeguarding strategy and values.
In addition, these posts require the colleague to undertake an enhanced disclosure check by the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Please note that this post is subject to regulated activity.
We at Hull College prioritise digital proficiency; all new staff should either be skilled or open to training, looking forward to hearing from you on the last point.
Please be aware that this vacancy may close earlier dependent on the level of applications received so if you do wish to be considered we recommend that you complete the application as promptly as possible.
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Support Manager employer: Hull College
Hull College is an excellent employer that fosters a supportive and inclusive work culture, prioritising the growth and development of its staff. As a Kitchen Porter, you will benefit from a term-time only schedule, allowing for a balanced work-life dynamic, while also contributing to a vibrant educational environment. With opportunities for training and professional development, Hull College is dedicated to ensuring that all employees feel valued and empowered in their roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Manager
✨Get to Know the Company Culture
Before jumping into applications, it’s super helpful to understand the vibe at Hull College. Check out their social media, read reviews on sites like Glassdoor, and see how they engage with customers. It'll give you clues on their values and help tailor your conversation during interviews.
✨Join Customer Support Communities
Dive into online communities like those on Reddit or LinkedIn where customer support pros hang out. Participating in discussions or asking questions can make you more visible to potential recruiters and help you learn about job openings at companies like Hull College before they even post them.
✨Attend Job Fairs or Networking Events
Look out for local job fairs or events specifically for customer support roles. This is your chance to meet hiring managers face-to-face, and you might even get the opportunity to interview on the spot!
✨Show Off Your Skills with Customer Interactions
In the customer support world, showcasing your communication skills is key. Consider creating a short video introducing yourself or even doing a mock call to showcase your abilities. It's a memorable way to stand out, especially if you can share this during your interview process!
We think you need these skills to ace Support Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Communication Skills:In customer support, clear communication is key. Make sure your CV highlights any experience you've had in customer-facing roles and your ability to resolve issues. Don't shy away from including specific examples of how you've gone above and beyond to help customers – this really shows your potential in the role.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Hull College:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Tell us why you want to work at Hull College specifically. Mention any unique aspects of our company that resonate with you and how your skills can enhance our customer support. This personal touch will set your application apart from the rest!
Highlight Any Relevant Tools or Tech Skills:If you've used customer support software like Zendesk or Freshdesk or have experience with CRM systems, make sure to mention these in your application. Being familiar with industry-standard tools can be a big plus for us when we’re reviewing applications, as it shows you can hit the ground running!
Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills:Customer support roles often require a knack for problem-solving. In your application, share examples of past experiences where you've tackled tough situations or resolved conflicts effectively. This will give us a good sense of how you handle challenges—an essential skill for success at Hull College!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hull College
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In customer support, it's all about communicating effectively. Prepare to share instances from your past experiences where you handled difficult customers or resolved conflicts. We want to hear how you empathised and found the best solutions, so think of specific examples to back up your stories!
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with common customer support tools like Zendesk or Freshdesk, and make sure to review how you’ve used any similar systems in the past. During the interview, being able to discuss your hands-on experience with software or ticketing systems can really set you apart from the competition, so don’t skip this prep!
✨Show Genuine Enthusiasm
As this is a full-time role, employers want someone who isn’t just looking for any job, but wants to grow within customer support. Make sure to express your enthusiasm for helping customers and your desire to develop your skills. Show them why you're passionate about this field!
✨Practice Common Scenarios
Be prepared for role-playing scenarios where you might have to reassess a solution with a frustrated customer or explain a complex process in simple terms. Practising these common scenarios can help us feel more confident and demonstrate our practical skills effectively during the interview.