School Support Manager
School Support Service
Role Description
Grade & Salary:
£47,328 - £54,841
Campus Location(s):
Craiglockhart, Merchiston, Sighthill
Roleholders may be asked to change location from time to time to
meet service and development needs and will be required to visit
other campuses regularly. Role holders may cover a single school
or two schools (at 0.5fte each) on the same campus, reflecting the
diversity of scale and complexity of the academic areas being
supported by the service.
Responsible to:
The Director, School Support Service.
The roleholder will also have a very close accountability and
responsibility to the Dean of an academic school and with other
members of the School’s Leadership Team (of which the
roleholder will be a key member).
Role Summary:
In the context of delivering the University Strategy:
 providing effective local leadership and operational
management for the support operations within a School;

meet support needs for all aspects of the School’s academic
activities, student support, business, business development,
administration, quality, research and innovation;

providing management information to the Dean and School’s
senior management to assist in the development and effective
management of the School, including student target setting
and financial management;

working constructively and collaboratively with School Support
Service colleagues and other University Services to ensure
coherent and effective support to the School and wider
academic communities; and

through working within and across the wider School Support
Service, developing and maintaining customer-focussed,
professionally robust administrative services underpinned by a
culture of flexibility, continual improvement and service
excellence.
Main Duties and Responsibilities

Deliver effective local leadership and operational management of the non-academic
operations of the School, ensuring flexible, resilient and excellent support locally.
The roleholder may also be asked ensure delivery of some activities across a
number of schools.

In partnership with colleagues in School Support Services, Dean’s of School and
other University Services, deliver on service and process enhancements that free
staff time to deliver on academic priorities and provide simple, effective pathways for
staff and students to receive the support they require.

Contribute pro-actively to developing and implementing future strategy and
operational plans of the School as a full and active member of the School
Leadership Team.

Manage and lead, in liaison with the Dean of School, the full range of school support
activities including, but not limited to: programme administration and management;
business development; academic quality; research and innovation activities;
resource planning; financial budgeting and control; TRAC and WAM issues; effective
allocation of space; and facilities management issues.

Develop and maintain efficient and effective customer-focussed, professionally
robust administrative services underpinned by a philosophy of continual
improvement and service excellence, in liaison with colleagues in the wider School
Support Service.

Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of agreed business decisions,
advising on and/or taking appropriate corrective action.

Provide advice to the Director of School Support Services, Dean of School and
School Leadership Team on appropriate support service configuration, deployment
and development in order to address the individual needs of the school.

Implement and co-ordinate university policies, business systems and administrative
procedures locally within the school, ensuring they are resilient, effective, efficient
and consistent with those applied in all other schools.

In association with the Dean of School (or their delegate), preparation of annual
budgets and coordination of the allocation and monitoring of all other school
resources (staff, estate, equipment, etc).

In association with other School Support Managers, support the Director in the
leadership and management of the School Support Service, acting as a member of
it’s senior team.

Embed the University’s values and behaviours, whilst encouraging the culture and
mindsets in the service’s staff that deliver organizational development and develop
staff to realize their full potential in fulfilling ways.

Undertake any other reasonable duties as requested by the Dean of School and/or
Director (School Support Service).
www.news.napier.ac.uk/vacancies
School Support Manager
School Support Service
Person Specification
Attributes
Essential Requirements Desirable Requirements
Education/Qualifications
 An undergraduate degree,
or an equivalent level of
knowledge gained through
experience in a similar role

A recognised qualification
in business administration
Experience
 Proven track record in the
provision of resilient,
efficient and responsive
support services to a
substantial business unit.

Knowledge and
understanding of the
policy and administrative
functions of a university.

Experience of leading
and managing projects
successfully in a support
service environment.
 Experience of successfully
implementing performance
improvements to processes
and procedures to ensure

they meet users needs and
embed service excellence.
 Experience of working in
partnership with other
service providers to ensure
support arrangements are
coherent and effective
locally, whilst adhering to
university-wide standards
and avoiding duplication
 Experience of financial
management, including
budget preparation and
control.
 Experience of leading,
managing and motivating
staff, building on values
and behavours to develop
a culture that enables them
to reach their potential.
Skills/Personal
Requirements
 Ability to work effectively
with diverse internal and
external groups.
Experience of operating
in a matrix environment
which requires reporting
to two key stakeholders,
whilst balancing
competing tensions
accordingly.
 Excellent interpersonal,
communication and
organisational skills.
 Capability to manage,
motivate and facilitate the
work of a team.
 Ability to manage change
and respond positively to
new challenges.
 Creative and innovative
approach to strategic
thinking and problem
solving.
 Strong organisational and
project management
abilities.
 Ability to prioritise
competing demands and
meet deadlines.
 Ability to work effectively as
part of a senior
management team.
 Commitment to high
service standards and
customer focus.
 Willingness to work flexible
hours and across various
locations (when required).
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www.news.napier.ac.uk/vacancies