At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to support students in making study choices and achieving success.
- Company: The Open University, a leader in flexible education and student support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and a supportive work-life balance.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in management and customer-focused services is essential.
The predicted salary is between 38784 - 46049 £ per year.
Working for the OU Vacancies
Job Location: Belfast
Department: Student Recruitment and Support
Salary: £38,784 to £46,049
Closing Date: 05 October 2026
Weekly Working Hours: 37.00
Contract Type: Permanent
About the Role
The role holder will work within the Student Recruitment and Support Ireland (SRSI) team and will manage the delivery of student facing operations to help students and prospective students make study choices leading to successful module completion, study progression, qualification completion, and customer satisfaction.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage a team of student facing staff that includes the Student Recruitment and Fees Supervisor and Advisers effectively, ensuring that quality and service standards and Key Performance Indicators are met.
- Deliver and develop the Information & Fees service within Student Recruitment and Support Ireland as part of the University’s Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) model.
- Work with the SRSI management team and the wider University to ensure an integrated approach to operational delivery of curriculum appropriate recruitment and support for students.
- Leadership and performance management of student facing staff including the Student Recruitment and Fees Supervisor and a team of Advisers.
- Oversee the Student Recruitment and Fees Supervisor and team of Advisers as part of a flexible management team.
- Develop SRSI, team and personal expertise and knowledge across all areas of the curriculum.
- Liaise closely and collaboratively with relevant staff and managers/senior managers within The Open University in Ireland.
- Proactively support the Senior Manager (Operations) in the development and continuous improvement of good internal and inter team working and service provision.
- Continually develop skills and knowledge to maintain and improve personal performance.
- Leadership and management of a specific area of work/areas of work.
About You
Essential Criteria:
- Relevant qualification in management and/or advice and guidance, or equivalent professional management experience.
- Proven experience managing multi-channel customer‑focused services.
- Strong leadership experience including recruitment, staff development, performance management, operational performance planning, and maintaining quality standards.
- Skilled in managing the provision of information with a commitment to excellent customer service and continuous improvement.
- Highly developed interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and teams.
- Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making abilities.
- Excellent organiser, time‑management, and self‑motivation skills.
- Numerically competent with the ability to interpret complex management information.
- Highly proficient in IT systems, including Microsoft Office applications and databases.
- Ability to carry out the role in a way that is consistent with equality legislation and the University’s values.
Desirable Criteria:
- Experience of working in an educational environment.
- Understanding of business continuity planning and management.
- Understanding of the higher education sector and the place of part‑time, distance learning within it.
Support with your application
If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, please contact us on 01908 541111 or email careers@open.ac.uk quoting the advert reference number.
What's in it for you?
At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance.
Flexible working
We are open to discussions about flexible working.
Working Location:
It is anticipated that a hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where the successful candidate can work from home and the office.
Next steps in the Recruitment process
We anticipate interviews to take place w/c 12 October 2026.
Contact us
If you have any queries or questions about the recruitment process, or regarding your application, please contact: Careers@open.ac.uk.
The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Operations Manager, Student Recruitment & Fees employer: The Open University UK
The Open University UK is an exceptional employer that values its staff by fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture, particularly within its STEM research centres. Employees benefit from flexible working arrangements, professional development opportunities, and the chance to contribute to groundbreaking research in a supportive environment, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
