Vice-Chancellor Executive Officer (VCXO): Role and person description

Vice-Chancellor’s Executive Officer

December 2014

Role description

The Vice-Chancellor’s Executive Officer (VCXO) provides professional support to the Vice-Chancellor, and other members of Executive where required. The post is located in the Vice-Chancellor’s Office (VCO) and is of a continuing nature.

Specific duties and responsibilities of the role

The main function of the VCXO is to support the Vice-Chancellor in his/her role. The duties of the VCXO include:

  • Undertaking special projects of a varying nature, typically requiring a more or lesser degree of research, including on matters pertaining to the higher educational environment, planning, policy, organisational structures and processes, and other aspects that are of strategic importance to the University.
  • Compiling, analysing, interpreting and interrogating data from a variety of internal and external sources; and producing integrated reports that are solution-driven and support decision making.
  • Tracking strategically important activities in different areas, identifying information which should be communicated to others and taking appropriate action.
  • Working with the communications team to prepare and implement a plan of communications activities for the Vice-Chancellor.
  • Developing internal and external communiques, liaising with colleagues and external stakeholders as appropriate.
  • Preparing Management Reports and other documents for Council and Senate as well as reports and papers for other meetings.
  • Reviewing drafts of key institutional publications, working with other teams where necessary to ensure that publication occurs in a timely manner.
  • Coordinating the work or input of different individuals and teams, and managing staff as required.
  • Assisting the Deputy Secretary with supporting Executive and Senior Management Group meetings as required.
  • Administrative functions pertaining to the VCO.
  • Other related tasks as directed by the Vice-Chancellor.

Person requirements

The post holder must have the ability to perform the tasks indicated, often under pressure and with a number of projects running simultaneously. The ability to multi-task is essential. Planning and the ability to organise are key aspects of the job and the post holder must be able to manage competing demands in challenging timescales. The post holder must be able to grasp new issues swiftly in order to rectify complex problems in unfamiliar areas. An enthusiastic ‘can-do’ attitude with a pro-active approach to finding solutions is essential.

The post holder will have the ability to proactively anticipate problems and identify beneficial solutions to a wide range of issues, adopting a hands-on approach where appropriate; as well as the ability to debate and challenge proposals, assumptions, and plans (with significant strategic implications for the institution) at the highest level.

The post holder must have excellent interpersonal skills and have the ability to communicate effectively (both orally and in writing) with staff at all levels in the institution. The post holder must be able to persuade, challenge and influence others at the highest level of the institution.

The post holder will be responsible for writing, producing, editing and recommending approval of key institutional documents. The highest standards of grammatical and numerical accuracy are required for this post. There will be a requirement for detailed data analysis of qualitative and quantitative data. The post holder must have excellent numerical skills, with a working knowledge of accounting. Knowledge and experience of project management is desirable, as is exposure to risk management and change management.

The post holder must have excellent IT skills, and the ability to learn and use new software packages, including the ability to develop new appropriate software solutions (specifically including Microsoft Office products, Sharepoint 2013, the development and maintenance of databases and related programmes). Knowledge of web page maintenance is desirable.

The post holder will have an appropriate honours degree; a masters degree is desirable. The post holder must have a proactive approach to continuing professional development/training. He/she must have a good understanding of the higher education environment. The post holder will have the ability to identify sensitive issues and exercise a high level of discretion and confidentiality.

The successful candidate will have sufficient experience in a work environment to demonstrate that he/she can successfully perform the duties of the role in the VCO in a continuous and sustained manner.

Additionally the post holder will be required to:

Undertake all duties in line with the University policies regarding Health and Safety, Data Protection and Freedom of Information, Prevention of Fraud and Bribery. The post holder will show a commitment to diversity, equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices.

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