Principal Adviser - United Kingdom - University of Derby

Description

£57,427 to £71,724 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £82,522 per annum)

Monday 29 April 2024

Contract type

Permanent

Post type

Full-time

Adaptive working type

Onsite
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location.

Reference

0183-24

About the role

The University of Derby is located in the heart of England and offers industry-relevant, expert teaching from foundation and undergraduate degrees to postgraduate study and research.

Our combined higher and further education offering is spread over campuses in Derby, Buxton, Leek and Chesterfield, and we have invested more than £200 million in some of the best university facilities in the UK over the last ten years.

We achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research, and with more than 34,000 people choosing to study with us every year, we depend on the dedication of a team of 2,200 academics and professional services staff.

The University boasts world-leading research that demonstrates real-world impact and has recently received the prestigious TEF Gold for learning and teaching and student experience, which places the University of Derby in the top 20% of universities in England.

About the role

The role of the Principal Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor is to build and maintain a high level of working knowledge and assessment of external policy, as well as a thorough understanding of the Vice-Chancellor's full portfolio of responsibilities across the University. This knowledge and understanding will be essential in positioning you to ensure the Vice-Chancellor is informed and fully briefed in all relevant areas.

The University is committed to supporting both our civic and regional agenda but also to influencing at a national level on policy/decision-making as it affects the higher education sector, and it will be important for the person in this role to share our commitment across these areas.

Working closely with a wide variety of people both internally and externally, the Principal Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive will be responsible for gathering information and intelligence to help inform effective decision-making and will make a significant contribution towards the drafting and revision of strategic materials, such as committee papers and briefing documents. Having well-developed analysis and research skills will be vital.

The Principal Adviser will ensure that the Vice-Chancellor is provided with appropriate briefings, presentations, and research to enable them to undertake their day-to-day activities effectively and will also facilitate efficient communication so that robust decisions can be taken as quickly as possible. It will be essential for the person in this role to have the ability to always communicate effectively and professionally.

The Principal Adviser will line manage the Vice-Chancellor's Office team, who are responsible for the day-to-day management of the office. This will comprise 3 Executive Support Lead Coordinators who will report to the role holder plus a wider team of circa 8 people.

The workload will be hugely varied, so outstanding organisational skills are essential as is an understanding of the internal and external environments in which universities operate.

The role requires flexibility to meet the Vice-Chancellor's commitments including supporting/representing them at external and internal events and presenting the University/Vice-Chancellor's position at such events as appropriate.

Who we are looking for

First and foremost, we are looking for someone keen to apply their advisory, communication, organisational, and project management skills to support the Vice-Chancellor and ultimately to benefit and further the aims of the wider University.

The successful candidate for this role will be someone with the skills and experience to provide high-quality strategic support, advice, and guidance to the Vice-Chancellor and other colleagues as appropriate. Given the nature of the Principal Adviser's key areas of work, diplomacy, discretion, professionalism and the ability to prioritise effectively will be of the utmost importance.

In addition to developing a strong working relationship with the Vice-Chancellor, it will be important for this person to build, nurture, and maintain networks across the wider University as well as externally.

We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates with outstanding verbal and written communication skills, as you will need the ability to accurately prepare evidence-based papers, reports, and presentations.

Our new Principal Adviser will also need to be someone who can manage events and meetings with a wide variety of stakeholders, in addition to accompanying and/or representing the Vice-Chancellor as and when required. Further to these responsibilities, we are looking for someone who can lead a wide variety of strategically important projects on time and within budget.

As this role will be responsible for the wider team in the Vice-Chancellor's Office, we are particularly interested in hearing from candidates with a strong track record of line management experience.

Interviews: Please note that shortlisted candidates will be invited to virtual calls with the Vice-Chancellor to take place on Monday 13th May 2024, followed by in-person panel interviews (to be held in Derby) on Friday 24th May 2024. If you will not be available on these dates, please contact our advising consultant (contact details below) in advance of preparing and submitting an application.

As well as competitive pay scales, we offer generous holiday entitlement. We also offer opportunities for further salary progression based on performance, and the opportunity to join a contributory pension scheme. For more information on the benefits of working at the University of Derby, please visit the Benefit pages of our website.

Benefits include:

• Generous annual leave entitlement of 30 days + bank holidays + 4 days concessionary leave
• Coaching and development in role
• Access to employer-funded Private Health Insurance with BUPA
• Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision, and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
• To maintain oversight of, and seek to influence, the external policy landscape on behalf of the University. Ensuring the Vice-Chancellor, and colleagues are briefed accordingly.
• To function as the lead adviser to the Vice-Chancellor by maintaining a broad knowledge of current and emerging developments within the Higher Education sector, understanding the context in which the University operates and advising on process / policy change.
• To produce new policy and strategy documentation based on the above criteria as appropriate.
• To advise the Vice-Chancellor on relevant civic, regional and national agendas not directly associated with the sector but that may influence strategic decisions within the University.
• To develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of the University's strategic aims and objectives to proactively assist the Vice-Chancellor across the full portfolio of duties.
• Producing succinct, evidence-based, strategic papers on a wide variety of issues, and for a variety of audiences, as directed by / and on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor and providing associated options and recommendations.
• Creating concise and insightful reports bringing together complex data and analysis to support the Vice-Chancellor's / University's strategic decisions.
• To lead and line manage the support functions which underpin the Vice-Chancellor's office.
• Working together with colleagues from the Vice-Chancellor's Office: Act as the first point of contact for the Vice-Chancellor, exercising judgement in resolving queries and dealing with issues on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor whilst ensuring they are fully briefed on all matters requiring their attention or awareness.
• Managing and facilitating communications to: Ensure the Vice-Chancellor is effectively briefed on any upcoming internal or external challenges / issues related to policy and / or other aspects of their portfolio of duties; Ensure the efficient flow of communications in and out of the Vice-Chancellor's Office; Communicate the Vice-Chancellor's messages and intentions, both internally and externally, including drafting messages and dealing with highly sensitive matters; Draft and coordinate the Vice-Chancellor's speeches and presentations for a wide variety of audiences; Ensure the smooth running of the Vice-Chancellor's Office; Ensure that the Vice-Chancellor's diary management and correspondence is proactively supported; Secure and deploy resources effectively and commissioning external support where appropriate.
• Manage events and meetings of high importance, including liaising with senior internal and external stakeholders, and ensuring they are run to a high professional standard.
• Ensure alignment across the University, and in particular with the University Executive Board, on strategy and policy / decision-making, utilising their insight to support this.
• Develop and maintain relationships with external bodies and stakeholders, including building links with public affairs initiatives as part of the University's civic responsibility.
• To function as a key contact for external networks, including working with senior managers and exchanging information to inform strategic initiatives.
• Represent the Vice-Chancellor and / or the University at external events and networks as required by the Vice-Chancellor.
• Provide assurance to key stakeholders (internal and external) regarding the management of constraints, priorities, and risks to drive negotiations between parties to gain consensus where necessary to deliver results.
• Lead and manage the strategic delivery of medium and longer-term projects such as improving the operation of university processes that interface with the Vice-Chancellor (including budget management), ensuring that they are delivered to an excellent standard, by the deadline and within budget.
• Share best practice, coaching, and supporting colleagues across the University.
• Seek opportunities to raise the profile and reputation of the University.
• Accompany / represent the Vice-Chancellor on University business when required.

Points to note:

• The role requires flexibility to meet the VC's commitments including support / representing them at external and internal events and presenting the University / Vice-Chancellor's position at such events as appropriate.
• This job description is not exhaustive. The post-holder may be required to undertake other duties that are consistent with the grade of the role.

Person specification Qualifications

• Degree or significant equivalent experience in a related area, e.g. public policy, legal, politics.
• Evidence of continual professional development.

Experience

• Considerable experience of working in a senior, managerial or advisory role.
• A track record of providing high-quality strategic support, advice, and guidance to senior leaders.
• Experience of successful collaborative working, including coordinating resources and logistics to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrable experience of proactively managing a varied and complex workload whilst ensuring the highest standards of professionalism, accuracy, consistency, and attention to detail.
• Extensive experience of writing clear and concise material including the drafting of briefing documents and writing and delivering presentations, including the ability to revise multiple drafts and to resolve differing opinions of reviewers.
• Considerable experience of leading and delivering projects on time and to budget.
• Financial/budgetary management experience.

Skills, knowledge & abilities

• A strong knowledge of the higher education landscape and the internal and external environments in which universities operate.
• An understanding of how to develop specific actions and plans from strategic aspirations and business priorities with a commercial outlook.
• Solid research and analytical skills including the ability to probe and interrogate arguments as well as identify and use a range of resources to research, understand, and summarise a broad range of topics, and translate complex information and data into clear recommendations.
• Exceptional organisational skills and diligence with the ability to work to deadlines whilst managing competing priorities.
• Outstanding communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to deal with and manage sensitive and confidential information with discretion and diplomacy.
• A proven ability to build and nurture relationships and maintain networks, both internally and externally.
• Ability to review and refine systems and processes.
• An understanding of the University's values and ability to demonstrate them in the work undertaken.

Business requirements

• The willingness to work flexibly across different work locations to meet the requirements of the Vice-Chancellor's role, both within the University as well as their external commitments.

Qualifications

• Relevant professional membership.

Experience

• Experience of working within in a senior, managerial, or advisory role in the Higher Education sector.

As well as competitive pay scales, we offer generous holiday entitlement. We also offer opportunities for further salary progression based on performance, and the opportunity to join a contributory pension scheme.

For further information about the role, or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultant at Peridot Partners:

This role is eligible for sponsorship by the University, however, your individual circumstances must meet the criteria set out by UKVI ; this includes meeting the English Language requirement and earning a salary that meets the highest of either the going rate for the SOC code or the minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker route (£38,700 per annum).

If the role is eligible, but the offered salary is less that the going rate for the role, you may still be able to apply for a Skilled Worker visa if:

Your job is on the Immigration Skills List

You're under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training

You have a PhD level qualification that's relevant to your job

You have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education

Please note that the University cannot confirm your eligibility for sponsorship until an offer is made and your individual circumstances have been considered.

If you are successful, you will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Any information you provide will be treated in confidence and only used when considering your suitability for the post.

To enable us to process your DBS check please ensure you are able to supply the documentation listed on the DBS website at interview stage.

The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.

What is Adaptive Working?

Adaptive working is about enabling a high-performing, flexible, and responsive work culture where the place, time, and manner of working are tailored to the specific work activity. This approach ensures that the working environment, including both physical and social surroundings, supports employees to perform at their best and meet the university's evolving needs.

In addition, adaptive working involves intentionally designing workspaces to support a range of activities and disciplines, providing the right environment for meaningful in-person connections and effective collaboration. This includes ensuring that employees have access to the necessary equipment and resources from their first day at the university.

Adaptive working encompasses different modes of working such as site-based, remote or hybrid working. It is a broad framework within which all staff can operate effectively according to their role.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion. However you identify, we actively celebrate the knowledge, experience and talents each person brings. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds; therefore we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who will help our leaders and teams be more reflective of our student population.

Challenging, interesting and constantly changing, the University of Derby is an extraordinary place to learn and an incredibly rewarding place to work.

The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.