Job description & person
specification
Last updated:
July 2015
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post title:
Head of Institutional Research
Academic Unit/Service:
Strategy, Planning & Analytics
Professional Service:
Registrar
Career pathway:
Management, Specialist and Administrative (MSA)
*ERE category:
N/A
Posts responsible to:
Director of Strategy, Planning & Analytics (MSA Level 7)
Level:
6
Posts responsible for:
Post base:
Office-based
Job purpose The Institutional Research function has arisen from the ever changing higher education market where there is
a mix of private and public funding. The IR can be described as the ‘glue’ of the University, as a centralised
function, it monitors and analyses all aspects of the external environment and internal issues and brings
together all the necessary information, data and resources to advise senior management how they might
respond effectively and strategically.
The role of the Head of IR is to provide leadership, and management support, driving forward the long-term
strategic development of an institutional research function at the University of Southampton, which serves as
the central source for reporting institutional information to internal and external agencies aligned to the
University’s strategies.
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities
1.
To lead and manage an institutional research team, covering the functions of: primary
research; market intelligence; data accessibility; horizon scanning, student experience
management information and portfolio development. Working across the Faculties and
Professional Services to ascertain their institutional research needs, prioritising these in
alignment with the University strategy. Proposing and delivering the optimum structures
and processes for delivering impactful market intelligence, market research, management
information, performance benchmarking and competitor analysis to drive evidence based
decision making.
% Time
50%
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities
% Time
2.
To provide and present data, information and interpretation to senior management groups 10%
and committees to facilitate decision making, for example in relation to: student
recruitment, university policy, university reputation, the student experience, marketing and
communication activities, portfolio development in furtherance of the institution being
recognised as a successful and highly influential international university.
3.
To play a key leadership role in driving improvements to the integrity, quality, accuracy,
validity, accessibility and impact of institutional data and information in terms of
collection, analysis and reporting. Overseeing/managing priorities/business
planning/action plans for all of the Strategy, Planning and Analytics Department.
20%
To be the Deputy Director of the Strategy, Planning and Analytics Department.
20%
4.
Internal and external relationships (including nature and purpose of relationships)
Post Holder will need to work closely with colleagues in the University Executive Group, as well as colleagues
from other Professional Services and Faculties. It will also be necessary to liaise with senior stakeholders from
outside the University.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Criteria
Essential
Qualifications,
knowledge &
experience
Postgraduate qualification or
equivalent professional experience
in marketing / economics /
statistics, social science or related
subject - directly relating to
institutional research and
effectiveness
Significant experience of working
with different types of data, and
synthesising information from
various sources to form a
comprehensive and concise picture
Proven understanding of the impact
that institutional research can have
on an organisation
Proven experience of delivering
institutional research for senior
management
Desirable
How to be
assessed
Application/
interview
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interview
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Knowledge of data sources
interview
available about HE sector e.g. HESA
and UCAS
Application/
interview
Application/
interview
Proven experience of ensuring data
quality and accuracy
Knowledge of the key issues
influencing the Higher Education
environment
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Application/
interview
2
Experience of working with the
Higher Education sector
Planning &
organising
Proven ability to plan and shape the
direction of an area of activity with
substantial impact on finance and/or
reputation of university
Ability to contribute to the
development of policy within the
Professional Service
Ability to establish and lead teams
Application/
interview
Application/
interview
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interview
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interview
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interview
Strong project management skills
Problem solving
& initiative
Ability to apply
professional/specialist knowledge to
analyse complex problems and
recommend solutions/plans of action
Able to anticipate and deal with
problems in a practical manner
Management &
teamwork
Application/
interview
Ability to mentor, manage, motivate
and coordinate teams, delegating
effectively
Application/
interview
Ability to resolve performance issues
and formulate staff development
plans, where appropriate, to ensure
team aims are met
Application/
interview
Proven ability to coach, advise and
support others
Ability to foster and develop good
relationships between own
Professional Service and the rest of
the University
Ability to work proactively with
senior colleagues to develop crossdepartment and institution
cooperation and effectiveness
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Application/
interview
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interview
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interview
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Ability to contribute to the running
of the Professional Service by
managing significant processes
Application/
interview
Ability to monitor and manage
resources and budgets
Application/
interview
Work effectively in a team,
understanding the strengths and
Application/
interview
3
weaknesses of others to help
teamwork development
Communicating
& influencing
Ability to communicate new and
complex information effectively,
both verbally and in writing,
engaging the interest and
enthusiasm of the target audiences,
including the University Executive
Group and key external agencies.
Extensive track record of presenting
report findings at group meetings
and conferences
Ability to persuade and influence at
all levels in order to foster and
maintain relationships, resolving
tensions/difficulties as they arise
Experience of providing expert
guidance to colleagues in own team,
other work areas and institutions to
develop understanding and resolve
complex problems
Application/
interview
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interview
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interview
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interview
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Ability to negotiate for the
Professional Service on key issues
Other skills &
behaviours
Special
requirements
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Leadership qualities characterised by
strong drive and persuasive
communication; a reputation for
developing unique approaches to
challenging problems and
persuading others to support them.
Application/
interview
A set of leadership and management
skills to successfully communicate
and partner with various senior
internal and external groups.
Application/
interview
Maintain the integrity and
confidentiality of all university data
and information at all times.
Interview /
references
4
JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS
OFFICE-BASED POST
If this post is an office-based job with routine office hazards (eg: use of VDU) no further information needs to
be supplied.
NON-OFFICE BASED POST
If this post has some hazards other than routine office (eg: more than use of VDU) please complete the
analysis below.
## - HR will send a full PEHQ to all applicants for this position.
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES
Occasionally
Frequently
Constantly
(<30% of time)
(30-60% of time)
(> 60% of time)
Outside work
Extremes of temperature (eg: fridge/ furnace)
## Potential for exposure to body fluids
## Noise (greater than 80 dba - 8 hrs twa)
## Exposure to hazardous substances (eg: solvents, liquids, dust, fumes,
biohazards). Specify below:

Frequent hand washing
Ionising radiation
EQUIPMENT/TOOLS/MACHINES USED
## Food handling
## Driving university vehicles(eg: car/van/LGV/PCV)
## Use of latex gloves (prohibited unless specific clinical necessity)
## Vibrating tools (eg: strimmers, hammer drill, lawnmowers)
PHYSICAL ABILITIES
Load manual handling
Repetitive crouching/kneeling/stooping
Repetitive pulling/pushing
Repetitive lifting
Standing for prolonged periods
Repetitive climbing (ie: steps, stools, ladders, stairs)
Fine motor grips (eg: pipetting)
Gross motor grips
Repetitive reaching below shoulder height
Repetitive reaching at shoulder height
Repetitive reaching above shoulder height
PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES
Face to face contact with public
Lone working
## Shift work/night work/on call duties
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