We are seeking a motivated and collaborative individual to join our team as a Student Service, Support and Development Manager within the School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the school-based student services team, ensuring students receive consistent, high-quality information, advice and welfare support throughout their journey. Working closely with academic, Professional Services and Directorate for the Student Experience colleagues, you will support a joined-up student experience and contribute to wider University priorities around service excellence, inclusion, student success and continuous improvement.
You will be responsible for:
- To lead teams to deliver consistent, sustainable support and expertise, ensuring excellent services to students across organisation; in line with agreed standards and in response to changing needs.
- To lead, organise, motivate and direct the work of the team, delegating responsibility to the appropriate level, ensuring that its objectives are met and it is operating efficiently and effectively.
- To effectively manage the Student Service, Support and Development Team, including management of the school-based hub.
- To develop, manage and have responsibility for the student communication and engagement framework within the School and ensure suitable co-ordination and execution across all areas of the School.
- To manage the development and delivery of appropriate welcome, induction, graduation and related activities for all students across the departments.
We welcome candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and approaches to their work.
About You
We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:
Essential Criteria:
- Significant experience, knowledge and understanding of information, advice and student support.
- Proven record in effectively leading and managing a team with evidence of setting and achieving clear objectives and performance goals.
- Evidence of experience of working in a customer focused environment and delivering exceptional customer service to stakeholders.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage and influence colleagues and work collaboratively across organisational boundaries in the pursuit of University strategies and their implementation at a local level.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
Desirable Criteria:
- Knowledge and understanding of how IT systems can support and enhance service delivery, with knowledge and experience of IT systems relevant to the role.
- Experience of policy development and implementation.
- Capacity to think in strategic terms and a willingness to exercise leadership including leading and managing significant cultural and organisational change.
- Strong negotiation and relationship building skills, the ability to influence others outside the direct sphere of control, and experience of matrix working.
- The ability to represent the University externally.
We value transferable skills and real-world experience as much as formal qualifications.
Our benefits include:
• Generous employer contribution pension
• 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure
• Ride to work and EV car scheme available
For more information, please see University of Manchester Benefits. You can also find information on our Flexible and Hybrid working arrangements online.
We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community where we are able, within the law, to question and test received wisdom, express new ideas and explore controversial or unpopular topics and opinions.
Enquiries about the role, shortlisting and interviews
Name: Kerry Mycock, Head of Teaching and Learning (SBS) PA: Lucy Woodburn
Email Address: SBSSchooloffice@manchester.ac.uk
General enquiries and administrative support
People.Recruitment@manchester.ac.uk
Technical and job portal support
Applications close at midnight on the closing date.
Further particulars (with person specification) linked below.
