Further Particulars
This document includes information about the role for which you are applying and the
information you will need to provide with the application.
1. Role details
Vacancy reference:
8428
Job title:
Project Manager Student Support Teams
Transition
Reports to:
Senior Programme Manager
Salary:
£37,012 - £44,166
Terms and conditions:
Academic-related
Grade:
8
Duration of post:
Temporary post to 31 October 2013
Working hours:
Full time
Location:
Milton Keynes
Closing date:
Thursday 29 November
Type of application form accepted:
Long application form with a covering letter
outlining how you meet the person
specification
Number of referees required:
3
Unit recruitment contact:
Sandra Chapman
2. Summary of duties
Duties to include:

Providing regular reports and reviews of progress and work in hand for the
Workstream, Project and Programme Leads and groups.

Managing the workstream using agreed project methodologies and managing
the implementation within time and budget constraints.

Working with a cross-functional team of regional and faculty leads and
supporting the workstream leads.

Communication of the workstream and progress across functions and a range of
grades, including senior management and the wider OU and keeping the
communication and stakeholder plan up to date.

Maintaining project documentation including plans, schedules, risk and issues
registers, taking responsibility where requested for change control, monitoring
and resolving issues;

Taking a key role in running workshops and staff training to implement SSTs.

Ensuring effective communication flow between the Workstream Team and
other relevant areas of the University.

Seeking formal approval, recording and implementing agreed changes to the
workstream schedule.

Ensuring that the workstream progresses according to agreed milestones and
methodology.

Adapting documentation, working practices and schedules to meet the changing
demands of the project.

Ensuring budgets are agreed in advance with the Project Manager.

Travelling to regional and national offices to support colleagues with the
transition to new Student Support Teams.

Report to weekly meetings on the progress of the workstream.
Also to:
 undertake any other duties which may reasonably be required

take reasonable care of the Health and Safety of themselves and that of any
other person who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work

demonstrate a strong commitment to the principles and practice of equality and
diversity

Write copy for websites, newsletters and other communications.

Draft formal reports and updates for Steering Groups and Committees.
3. Person specification
Criteria
Education,
qualifications and
training
Essential
 A first degree or equivalent
education, or work
experience at a comparable
level.
 Prince 2 qualification or
equivalent project/programme
management qualification
Knowledge, work
and other relevant
experience

Experience of managing
projects using recognised MSP
methodologies.

Experience of managing
institutional change across
functions and within a multidisciplinary team to set
deadlines.
 Evidence of working
effectively in multidisciplinary, cross-faculty and
cross-unit teams.

Experience of using new
technology to deliver business
processes.
 Experience of writing project
documentation for governance
bodies.
 Experience of working
independently, as well as
being able to work
collaboratively and as an
effective member of a team.
Skills and
capabilities
 Experience of managing
resources and/or budgets.
 Excellent problem solving
skills and the ability to work on
own initiative

Excellent interpersonal skills
which enable others to
understand and implement
change.

Excellent written, oral and
online communication skills
with ability to lead as well as
Desirable
contribute to, informal and
formal, discussions. An ability
to communicate with people
from a wide range of
experience and
backgrounds. Able to deliver
workshops and presentations
with flair and engage the
audience.

Well-developed ICT skills and
experience of using MSOffice
project management software,
management information tools
etc.

Use of MS Project or a
similar tool to proficiently
plan and schedule project
and workstream tasks.

Ability to work flexibly and
respond to changing priorities

Strong influencing and
negotiation skills

Additional
requirements
Awareness of recent
developments in the
general Higher
Education
environment
4. Role specific requirements e.g. shift working

Readiness to travel to and work in Regional and National offices.

Willingness to work occasional weekends and evening events
2. About the unit/department
STUDENT SERVICES
Student Services is responsible for the provision of educational and administrative
services to students and for the recruitment, staff development and supervision of
Associate Lecturers and residential schools staff. It is the largest Unit of the University
with an annual budget of more than £90 million. More than 7,000 staff (1,100 ‘internal’
staff and 6,500 Associate Lecturers) are employed by the Unit at or through:


four central sub-units based at Walton Hall, Milton Keynes
3 National Centres based in Scotland, Wales, Ireland and ten English regions.
The Director, Students, who is the Head of Student Services, is a member of the ViceChancellor’s Executive and reports directly to the Vice-Chancellor. Student Services is
divided into four functional areas as follows:




Student Recruitment and Financial Support
Teaching and Learner Support
Assessment, Credit and Qualifications
Business Services
The activities within the functions are supported from seventeen sub-units, of which four
are based at the Walton Hall campus and thirteen are located throughout the UK. In
addition there is an office located in Dublin from where services are provided to support
particular markets.
The management structure for Student Services is headed by the Student Services
Executive which comprises:


Director, Students
Director, Business Services




Director, Assessment Credit and Qualifications
Director, Student Recruitment and Financial Support
Director ,Teaching and Learner Support
Director, Learner Support Services

Director, Associate Lecturer Services
The Directors of Functions, in addition to their Student Services-wide functional
responsibilities, each manage one of the Walton Hall based sub-units or one of the
English sub-units.
Teaching and Learner Support
Main Aims:




to develop and deliver teaching and learner support services in furtherance of
the university’s academic objectives and mission;
to contribute to the defining of challenging student service standards;
to develop and deliver teaching and learner support services that are high
quality, cost-effective and inclusive;
to contribute to the integration of teaching and learner support across university
functions and locations.
The Teaching and Learner Support sub-unit has over 100 staff at Walton Hall and 150
staff in AL Services in regions and nations. It liaises closely with the regional and
national centres in delivering teaching and other services to students.
It includes the following teams:









Associate Lecturer Services
Associate Lecturer Support and Professional Development
Careers Advisory Service
Communications
Disabled Student Services
Learner Development
Learning, Design and Technology
Residential Schools
Widening Participation and Offender Learning.
Student Support Team
The project is to develop a student support structure based on curriculum area rather
than geographical location; to integrate learning and learner support, provide consistent,
quality student experience and offer continuity of support throughout the learner journey.
3. How to obtain more information about the role or application process
If you would like to discuss the particulars of this role before making an application
please contact Dan Grové on ext. 01908 655019 or email dan.grove@open.ac.uk
If you have any questions regarding the application process please contact Sandra
Chapman on ext. 58471 or email SS-TLS-Recruitment@open.ac.uk
4. Where to send applications
Please ensure that your application (long application form with a covering letter setting
out how you meet the Person Specification) reaches the university by 5 pm on
Thursday 29 November.
Post it to:
Sandra Chapman
Department/Unit:
Student Services
Address:
Frank Henshaw Building
Hammerwood Gate
Kents Hill
Milton Keynes
MK7 6BY
Post code:
Or e-mail your application to: SS-TLS-Recruitment@open.ac.uk
5. Selection process and date of interview
The interview panel will be chaired by Dan Grové. The interviews will take place week
commencing 3 December.
The selection process for this post will include an interview and other exercises.
We will let you know as soon as possible after the closing date whether you have been
shortlisted for interview. Further details on the selection process will also be sent to
shortlisted candidates.
Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.