Job title:Head of Admissions

Post number:AS5016

Reports to:Director of Academic Services

Department:Academic Services

Location:Moulsecoomb Campus

Grade:8

Purpose of the role: To provide leadership and direction for all matters relating to the strategic operation of the student admissions service to the university including management of theAcademic Services admissions teams across four university campuses (Moulsecoomb, Grand Parade, Eastbourne and Falmer).

Reporting to the Director of Academic Services, the Head of Admissions works closely with the Head of Recruitment and Outreach to ensure that applicants and enquirers relating to undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes receive a consistently high level of service based on sector best practice principles and customer service standards. The post holder is responsible for ensuring that interview and offer targets are met and for undertaking analysis of and reporting on data relating to admissions, both internal and external.

The Head of Admissions leads a large team responsible for all admissions to the university (Home/EU/International) ensuring excellent customer service levels are met and maintained, managing and responding to any unforeseen situations, to ensure the continued efficient and effective delivery of the service. The post holder works closely with colleagues (both academic and professional) throughout the university and, in particular, develops and maintains excellent relationships with other sections within Academic Services, the Strategic Planning and Projects Office, Marketing and Communications and all academic schools.

The post holder plans and organises team activity over the medium term, with an appreciation of long term issues relating to the admissions service. They will ensure the operation of an effective professional service which is highly customer focused, both internal and external. Key to this will be an awareness of sustainability and innovation by assuring the continuous review of processes and systems informed by the latest national developments and best practice.

Line management responsibility for: Directly responsible for all admissions staff including the Admissions Team Managers, Admissions Officers and Admissions Administrators. Also, on matters related to admissions, the UKVI compliance team are jointly managed with the Assistant Registrar (Records and Fees).

Main areas of responsibility:

  • To lead in managing and setting operational strategy, policy, procedures and regulations in relation to all university admissions practices ensuring compliance with all internal and external statutory requirements, including the QAA Code of Practice, UKVI, HEFCE, the University Admissions Policy, and external admissions agencies.
  • To provide operational leadership and management for the admissions team within Academic Servicessetting, withthe Director of Academic Services, appropriate operating KPIs to ensure excellent delivery standards and that all interview and offer targets are met.
  • To manage and develop staff, ensuring high levels of commitment, performance and professionalism.
  • To develop, implement, manage and undertake continuous review (with a view to making service improvements and enhancement recommendations through process innovation and IT systems changes) of an effective admissions service to meet the needs of applicants and the university. To be responsible for the electronic exchange and transfer of information on applicants, course information and entry requirements to UCAS and other relevant bodies.
  • To lead decision-making on applications to the university, ensuring that admissions decisions taken are within agreed criteria and liaising with academic colleagues as appropriate. Leading discussions concerning these parameters with academic school colleagues and advising on appropriate responses to developing national trends in admissions and related recruitment matters, new or revised entry qualifications and other factors that impact on the decisions taken concerning admission to the university. To ensure the transparent communication of criteria for admissions.
  • To lead, plan and manage high risk/complex admissions processes.
  • To provide timely, accurate and accessible management information to senior managers and relevant committees on all matters related to admissions including, for example, turnaround times, trends and forecasting.
  • To contribute to the development of the university’s overall recruitment and admissions strategy to meet Strategic Plan objectives, working collaboratively with senior colleagues and academic schools across the university.
  • To represent the university externally, and develop and maintain relationships with secondary schools, colleges, other HEIs, and external agencies such as UCAS across the UK in order to inform and promote the university’s objectives regarding admissions.
  • To manage a budget ensuring that all activities are delivered within the allotted resources, and contributing towards departmental resource planning.

General responsibilities

These are standard to all University of Brighton job descriptions:

  • To undertake other duties appropriate to the grade and character of work as may be reasonably required, including specific duties of a similar or lesser grade.
  • To adhere to the university’s Equality and Diversity Policy in all activities, and to actively promote equality of opportunity wherever possible.
  • To be responsible for your own health and safety and that of your colleagues, in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act.
  • To work in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

The person specification focuses on the knowledge, qualifications, experience and skills (both general and technical) required to undertake the role effectively. Please ensure that your application demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria. You will be assessed by your completed application form (A), at interview (I) and in some instances through an exercise (E).

Essential criteria / A, I, E
Knowledge / Applied detailed knowledge, understanding and expertise of UK HEI admissions and related recruitment and widening participation policies and processes (in particular UCAS) and a strong grasp of related government policy on higher education development and funding. / A,I,E
Qualifications / Educated to degree level or equivalent experience, demonstrating high level analytical skills. / A
Experience / Ability to work across functions and departments, collaborating effectively as appropriate, and demonstrating a good grasp of issues in related areas.
Able to interpret, apply and communicate information to stakeholders at a range of levels and work areas, demonstrating sensitivity and diplomacy (including influencing skills) when communicating complex or difficult information, both orally and in writing.
Ability to plan and prioritise a wide range of work activities, problem solving and meeting conflicting work deadlines.
Ability to deliver the continuous review and development of processes and systems, applying innovative solutions and sector good practice to maintain efficiency and delivery standards.
Able to work as part of a team, sharing good practice and developing effective professional relationships with colleagues.
Ability to work without supervision and take responsibility for defining and meeting agreed targets. / A,I,E
Managing people / Substantial experience of staff and team management and the ability to support and develop staff who are at different stages of their career. / A,I
Technical/work based skills / An ability to design, develop, implement and manage complex systems and processes (particularly admissions and customer relations management).
Strong analytical skills and the ability to analyse, interrogate, extract, manipulate and present complex datasets to audiences of all levels.
Excellent level of computer skills, including Microsoft Office, databases and online systems. / A,I
Other requirements / Flexibility in work patterns as admissions tasks will include occasional weekend working. / A
Desirable / Excellent IT skills with a detailed knowledge of SITS (the university’s student records system). / A,I
  • Any appointment is generally made at the bottom of the salary range for the grade dependent upon experience and previous salary.
  • This is a permanent, full time post.
  • Annual leave entitlements are shown in the table below and increase after 5 years’ service. In addition to the eight Bank Holidays, there are university discretionary days between Christmas and New Year. All leave, including bank holidays and discretionary days, is pro-rated for part time employees.

Grades / Basic entitlement per year / Grades / After 5 years’ service
1-3 / 23 days / 1-3 / 28 days
4-7 / 25 days / 4-7 / 30 days
8-9 / 27 days / 8-9 / 30 days
  • More information about the department/school can be found hereProfessional Services Departmentsor hereAcademic departments (schools and colleges).
  • Read the University’s 2016 - 2021 Strategy.
  • The University has an attractive range of benefits and you can find more information about them on our website.

Date: January 2017