Benchmark Role Profile for School Manager (APML5)
Version 2.0
Last amended: March 2015
THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
RECRUITMENT ROLE PROFILE FORM
Job Title:
School Manager
School/Department:
Salary:
Job Family and Level:
Administrative, Professional and Managerial Level 5
Contract Status:
Hours of Work:
Location:
Reporting to:
The Purpose of the Role:
The purpose of the role is to provide administrative leadership and management to ensure the
successful delivery of an excellent administrative support service for the School of XXXX. In addition,
working with Head of School and Strategy committee, the role holder will contribute to the strategic,
budgetary, resource and operation planning, policy development, policy implementation, monitoring,
data and quality assurance management which support all activities (teaching, professional training,
research, internationalisation, outreach) commensurate with a medium-sized School.
Main Responsibilities:
% time
per year
1.
2.
3.
To contribute to the successful strategic and operational management of the
School. This will include acting as a key member of the School Strategy
Committee, working with academic colleagues to develop, operationalise,
implement and monitor policy and shaping the strategic direction of the School.
The School Manager will assist School Strategy Group by sourcing information,
preparing documentation and drafting policy documents. Works with academic
colleagues during the School Planning cycle and monitor progress against School
and University performance indicators. The School Manager will also provide
advice, support and contribute to key School Committees.
Responsibility for the management and development of School administrative
processes and business information systems. This will involve overall coordination of academic and administrative support procedures and protocols
undertaken within the School, including School and University management
information and quality assurance systems. Advising academic staff,
administrative staff and students on School and University policy, procedures and
regulations and other issues to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the
School and to meet quality assurance standards.
Management of a team of support staff including recruitment, deployment,
development and performance management of these staff to ensure the successful
delivery of an administrative service. Designing and monitoring policies and
30%
15%
15%
Benchmark Role Profile for School Manager (APML5)
Version 2.0
Last amended: March 2015
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
procedures and implementing changes to maximise service quality and efficiency
as and when required. Responsibility for overall service provision to staff and
students as well as to applicants and outside agencies.
To advise on financial planning, financial forecasting and financial controls, working
closely with the Head of School and the School’s Finance Officers.
To initiate, co-ordinate and manage activities related to School-wide Initiatives,
e.g. preparation for the REF; development of a School-wide marketing strategy;
implementation of new initiatives approved in the School planning process.
To oversee the collection, preparation and delivery of information and
documentation for internal and external quality audits and other Quality Assurance
activities and responding to requests for information.
To assist the Head of School with all matters relating to recruitment of all
categories of staff.
To be responsible for the strategic management of the School’s physical
infrastructure (offices, teaching facilities and communal space), equipment and
consumables so as to provide an effective, efficient, attractive and safe working
environment for the benefit of staff, students and visitors.
Any other duties appropriate to the grade and role
Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience
Essential
Qualifications/Education
Honours Degree or equivalent and
significant experience in similar/related roles
Skills/Training
Operational management, strategic and
business planning skills.
Awareness of the Higher Education sector,
university decision making, structures and
procedures.
Understanding of the implications of being a
School in a research-led environment.
Proven leadership and change management
skills.
Excellent interpersonal and communication
skills (including oral and written skills).
Ability to communicate effectively with staff
at all levels and to work effectively and
collaboratively with academic and
administrative colleagues.
Ability to motivate, negotiate and influence
both individuals and teams.
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential
issues and manage conflict effectively.
High degree of initiative, responsibility and
self-motivation and a professional and
proactive approach to problem solving.
Ability to define priorities and work flexibly
Desirable
Postgraduate
qualification, or
equivalent
10%
10%
10%
5%
5%
Benchmark Role Profile for School Manager (APML5)
Version 2.0
Last amended: March 2015
and effectively under pressure to meet
demanding (and sometimes conflicting)
deadlines.
Financial awareness and financial
management skills.
Experience
Excellent IT skills.
Significant and extended experience of
working in the HE sector, demonstrating
expertise in the management of projects,
people and resources.
Substantial experience
in a management role.
Evidence of leadership, experience of
managing staff, establishing new
administrative systems and procedures and
managing and resources.
Decision Making
i)
Taken independently by the role holder;
 Manage own workload.
 Development, review and implementation of administrative procedures and standards.
 Line management of School administrative support staff, including recruitment and staff
development.
 Disciplinary issues/grievances and other support staff welfare concerns.
 Organisation and implementation of PDPR for support staff.
 Recommendations to Head of School in relation to policy development, policy implementation and
budgetary matters.
 Expenditure related to areas of responsibility within agreed budget allocations.
ii) Taken in collaboration with others;
 Appointment and re-grading of support staff and strategic direction of the services they provide.
 Development and operation of School policies.
 Quality Assurance policy and implementation.
 Budget planning and allocation of non-pay allocations.
iii) Referred to the appropriate line manager by the role holder;
 Serious complaints from staff or students.
 Expenditure beyond agreed budget allocations.
Additional Information
The School Manager will be pivotal to the daily operations and strategic management of the School and
is the senior administrative role in the School. The role holder is required to develop policies and
procedures commensurate with the delivery of all School functions and has considerable freedom in
decision making and target setting.
The University of Nottingham strongly endorses Athena SWAN principles,
with commitment from all levels of the organisation in furthering women’s
careers. It is our mission to ensure equal opportunity, best working
practices and fair policies for all.