Head of Access and Participation (1 Year Fixed Term Contract) Candidate Pack
BACKGROUND
The University of Law, a private university, (formerly the College of Law), is one of the UK’s leading and longest established providers of legal education and training with origins dating back to 1876 with the formation of the leading tutorial firm Gibson & Weldon and later on, with the establishment of The Law Society School of Law. In 1962 the two were amalgamated to establish The College of Law. The University was the first ever independent institution to be granted degree awarding powers, gaining University title (The University of Law) in 2012 before being bought by Global University Systems in 2015. Working right at the heart of the legal profession, the University brings together teaching of the highest quality, a focus on practical skills and innovative learning styles to deliver perfect preparation for life in legal practice and ongoing professional development. The University is in an ongoing, exciting period of growth and expansion with more than 10,000 students, circa 800 staff and 14 campuses across the UK and Hong Kong. Alongside its Legal education and training, it is also expanding its Business school offering both in the UK and in Berlin. All campuses are close to thriving commercial centres, leading law firms and have strong transport links. Each campus is a modern, well-equipped professional law school providing a comfortable and stimulating learning and working environment.
VISION, CORPORATE PLAN & STRATEGY
Vision and mission To be the global university of choice for the professions, by driving innovation in applied education to deliver outstanding employment outcomes. The University of Law exists to serve its students and their future employers by being global leaders in providing applied knowledge and skills.
Vision and Mission
Strategic Aims
Drawing on our heritage as one of the UK’s longest established law schools, we strive to build on our success through the ethos of IDEAS:
Student Focus
Widening Participation
• Innovation - for our people, campuses, technology and business practices
Innovation and Growth
• Diversity - continuously improving the quality, quantity and flexibility of our courses
People
• Employability focus - ensuring our students are in demand by firms and businesses
• Ambition – inspiring the best in our students and society
• Success - academically and professionally for all
Strategic Aims
Student focus • The quality of the student experience is key to our ethos, reputation and our ability to recruit and be commercially successful We were ranked in the Top 10 for 5 core categories in the National Student Survey 2019 and in the same year were awarded Silver in the Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework for our teaching, learning and outcomes. Our performance in the critical categories of teaching excellence and academic support for students is sector leading.
Widening participation We are committed to widening participation and diversity across all of the University’s programmes.
Innovation and Growth • Our programme portfolio is constantly evolving to remain innovative, topical and relevant • Our reach is being extended through the creation of new campuses and partnerships • Our reputation, and the global importance of the English legal system, position us well to increase overseas recruitment beyond our traditional UK-focused student base
People We strive to:
• Support the development of colleagues to enable the delivery of an even higher quality service • Recognise and reward strong performance
Student Experience In addition to our teaching, the business processes that drive the student journey are pivotal to our students’ experience. We look to work collaboratively with the student body, being responsive to student needs and feedback.
• We will continue to invest in the student experience, its people and facilities • We will continue to deliver high quality services in a cost-effective way • We will use resources in an efficient and responsible manner
CAMPUSES
1. Birmingham
2. Bristol
3. Chester
4. Guildford Campus
5. Leeds Campus
6. London Bloomsbury Campus
7. London Moorgate Campus
8. Manchester Campus
9. Nottingham Campus (new for 2019)
10. The University of Law at UEA in Norwich (new for 2019)
11. The University of Law in Exeter
12. The University of Law in Liverpool
13. The University of Law at Reading
All of our campuses are in thriving commercial areas and offer the same fully-resourced facilities, including well equipped IT suites with PCs for DVD and i-Tutorials, comprehensive law libraries with all the latest legal texts, quiet study areas and places to relax.
14. Hong Kong Centre (new for 2019 )
Birmingham
Nottingham
Hong Kong
Guildford
Chester
Bristol
Responsible for: • Overseeing the efficient and effective operational delivery of the University’s Access & Participation Plan (APP) including the attainment of associated targets. • Overseeing Widening Participation and Access (WP&A) activities at all campuses/locations, including online and internationally. • Identifying and contributing to the development aspects of all WP&A matters, acting as project lead. Main Function of Job
JOB DESCRIPTION
Main Function of Job
Reporting to Director Academic Registry Location Flexible/ remote Direct & Indirect Reports Direct report: Widening Participation Fundraiser and Coordinator Indirect reports: staff involved in delivering the University’s Access and Participation initiatives
• Identifying and facilitating the implementation of technological efficiencies to enhance and support the University’s WP&A initiatives, including the implementation of Learner Analytics. • Working with the Director of Admissions, Access & Participation and the Academic Registrar to meet Office for Students (OfS) requirements for APPs, including analysis and evaluation of activities, annual reporting, and development of future APPs. • Leading on equality and diversity activities in relation to the University’s students and programmes.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Specific Responsibilities
Business delivery • Maintain oversight of the University’s WP&A activities and initiatives, delivery, and analysis and evaluation of impact. • Work with the Secretary to the Widening Participation and Access Committee of the Academic Board to enable it to meet the responsibilities set out in its Terms of Reference. • Ensure accurate management information is produced for the quality assurance of University WP&A activities and initiatives and to ensure that there is proper analysis and evaluation of those activities and initiatives. • Design and facilitate agreement of an evaluation plan to meet the requirements of the OfS, setting out evaluation activities, how they are to be delivered, including allocation of responsibilities and resource. • Act as the link between staff working in campuses, including virtual, across functions, and key stakeholders, including the Academic Board, Academic Registry, IT, Programme Management teams, University Planning Manager, Campus Deans, Heads of Operational Services and other operational functions. • Maintain up to date knowledge and understanding of the regulatory requirements set out by the OfS and others as appropriate and ensure prompt communication of any changes to the regime. • Oversee the development and delivery of training for new and existing staff engaged in delivery and evaluation of WP&A activities and initiatives. • Develop and implement policies relating to equality and diversity with reference to relevant legislation and sector best practice. • Produce as required reports and analyses on equality and diversity issues as they relate to the University’s students and programmes. • Through demonstrating strong commercial awareness and cross Campus / functional knowledge, contribute to business planning, operational strategy and delivery. • Attend and participate at committee meetings, including the Widening Participation & Access Committee, the Academic Enhancement Committee, the Academic Standards and Quality Committee, quality assurance reviews, and any working group as necessary.
Specific Responsibilities
• Ensure that all actions agreed by any relevant committee, working group or panel that relate to WP&A are communicated and completed as appropriate. • Translate business plans and priorities into meaningful, deliverable targets. • Contribute to the preparation of the annual WP&A budget. • Manage the University WP&A assessments budget. • Ensure that adequate statistical information is maintained to inform budget setting and review, in addition to analysis and evaluation of WP&A activity. Business development • Regularly review University WP&A activities and initiatives, and take the lead in developing and implementing any changes resulting from such reviews. • In conjunction with the Academic Registry and Academic Board, develop policies for existing, new and potential WP&A activities and initiatives that facilitate the University effectively delivering its APPs. • Review programme design guidance to ensure that programme design is underpinned by appropriate objectives. • Prepare papers as directed for the Academic Board, its committees and any relevant working groups. • Represent the University at external meetings and events.
IT • Work with the IT Management to ensure that appropriate data is collected, stored and properly used to capture WP&A activities and initiatives, to analyse their effectiveness, and to evaluate the impact of the University’s APPs and WP&A strategy. • Work with IT Management to ensure the development and maintenance of accurate and useful management and external reporting of WP&A data and information, analysing the access, success and progression of our students, and other internal and external regulatory data as required. • Work with IT Management to ensure that ‘best-practice’ technological assistance provision is integrated across the University, including a Learner Analytics solution. • Work with the DCO to ensure that data is collected, processed and used in line with GDPR and the requirements set by governing bodies. Client service • Deliver a professional and consistent service to internal and external stakeholders and continue to seek improved delivery of client service. • In conjunction with a wide range of stakeholders and colleagues, oversee the provision of WP&A activities and initiatives, in line with University and industry practice. • Understand, develop and maintain the WP&A requirements of the University, and advise staff, students, The Academic Board and Boards of Examiners as appropriate. • Ensure that relevant enquiries and complaints are dealt with in accordance with agreed procedures, ensuring excellent customer service at all times. • Manage WP&A activities and initiatives with University partners. • Promote and sustain a constructive, supportive and friendly working relationship with all stakeholders, external and internal. • Oversee that all information on the University’s website that relates to WP&A is current and accurate. • With the University’s marketing and communications teams, ensure that any changes to or developments in the University’s provision of WP&A activities and initiatives are communicated effectively to stakeholders as appropriate.
Team management • Manage colleagues involved with the development and delivery of WP&A activities and initiatives, setting targets and managing performance against those targets. • Mentor and colleagues, as appropriate, and ensure that agreed outputs are delivered in a timely manner. In addition to the responsibilities listed above, the job holder may be required to perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Admissions, Access & Participation and the Academic Registrar from time to time. The job holder has a duty to take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and of other persons with whom they come into contact at work. The job holder also has a duty to co-operate with the University in complying with any statutory duty or requirement concerning health and safety at work. In particular, they must familiarise themselves with the Health and Safety Policy and its safety and fire procedures.
PERSON SPECIFICATIONS
Training & Education Essential • Educated to degree level of equivalent. • Training (courses) in access and participation planning, development, delivery and evaluation. Experience Essential • Higher Education experience in access and participation work, at a managerial level, including planning, project management, target setting, budgeting, data analysis, performance management, identification and delivery of activities and initiatives, and evaluation of impact. • Higher Education experience in equality and diversity including knowledge of sector practice and key legislation. • Experience in managing and delivering access and participation work in Higher Education. • Experience of working with complex data to inform planning and to analyse impact. • Experience of working with and reporting to senior managers and boards. • Experience of working with a wide range of stakeholders from different University departments. • Experience of developing IT systems for the capture, design and measurement of access and participation delivery. Desirable • Team leadership of access and participation work. • Experience of working in a multi-campus institution. • At least three years’ experience in developing, delivering and evaluating Access Agreements in a Higher Education context.
Training & Education
Experience
Skills & Knowledge
Skills & Knowledge Essential
• Knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the Office for Students in developing, delivering and evaluating Access and Participation Plans, and other work to support the University in its access and participation initiatives and activities. • A proven project manager able to establish a clear timeline and communication plan for each academic year and able to deliver results in line with budgets and deadlines. • Able to manage complex budgets and financial forecasts. • An excellent communicator able to establish a clear path for all stakeholders and establish strong cross-University relationships. • Comfortable working with stakeholders at all levels. • Strong eye for detail, able to assess/interpret in-depth guidance and statistics from internal and external sources and provide clear summaries for dissemination to stakeholders. • Excellent presentation skills, able to speak with authority in front of large groups of staff and engage them in the work of the University in this field.
Desirable • Knowledge of CRM systems and in particular Microsoft Dynamics CRM. • Knowledge of Learner Analytics solutions.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Behavioural Skills Essential
• Collaborative working style, as this role will require coordination with a range of staff across the university. • Positive and enthusiastic approach to work. Able to secure buy-in from staff and motivate working groups and individuals to achieve desired aims and objectives. • A good listener able to understand different points of view and use empathy to inform decision making.
Behavioural Skills
Special Circumstances
Special Circumstances Essential
• Travel to campuses will be required from time to time. If the post-holder is based outside London, regular travel to London and Guildford for meetings will be required.
Application Process
The University is being supported on this recruitment campaign by the search consultancy The Management Recruitment Group (MRG) .
To arrange a brief conversation please contact our advisor Sian Gardiner of MRG on 020 3962 9900 / 07932 717 458 or at sian.gardiner@mrgpeople.co.uk.
Applications should contain a CV and Covering Letter and should be sent to Sian Gardiner at the Management Recruitment Group sian.gardiner@mrgpeople.co.uk.
Closing date for applications is Sunday 15th November 2020.
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