The University At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other. Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here. Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page. The Role and the Department The College Membership and Accommodation Office's purpose is to ensure that all Durham University students are allocated openly and fairly to a College for membership and to provide information and support to students seeking University managed accommodation. Every Durham University student, full-time, part-time, undergraduate and postgraduate is allocated membership of a Durham college with many new full-time students also applying for University accommodation. The Office provides information on student housing to the Division and links with offices across the Division and wider University to ensure the Division contributes effectively to the University's strategic aims. You will work closely with and be responsible to the College Membership and Accommodation Manager. You will need to be highly organised, pro-active and able to work independently. You will have a high level of administrative competence and will have experience of working in a pressurised environment, preferably within Higher Education. You will manage the daily running of college allocations with regard to all aspects of the admissions and college membership process and be responsible for dealing directly with student accommodation queries. The role requires a high level of responsibility and initiative, and the ability to work with minimal supervision. You will be working with staff across the University and often with confidential issues and documents requiring the highest levels of discretion and professionalism. The role involves working with current and prospective students and their parents as well as Purpose Built Student Accommodation providers. You will use the Banner student record system extensively, and knowledge or a willingness to become familiar with the University financial and procurement systems is required. Working at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: • You'll receive 27 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days. The University closes between Christmas and New Year. • No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. • You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions. • Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16. • We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. • We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference to the local community. • Our family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). • If you are keen on advancing in your role or career, we have a genuine passion for developing our colleagues from qualifications to IT skills, courses and apprenticeships. • We offer generous pension schemes with varying contribution amounts to help you plan for your future. Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here. Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. What you need to demonstrate when you apply To be considered for this role, here are the skills/experience we're looking for: Qualifications/Experience 1. Five GCSE's at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or equivalent experience. 2. Experience of working in a busy office environment delivering front line administrative services or having relevant qualifications for the role. 3. Experience of managing time to meet deadlines and working under pressure without compromising on quality. 4. Experience of working in a team. Skills/Abilities/Knowledge 5. Good spoken and written communication skills. 6. Good digital skills including experience in using digital devices and apps including the internet, email, digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, digital booking systems. 7. Ability to use Microsoft Access and create queries from data and extract information. 8. Committed to continuing professional development. 9. Ability to solve problems and resolve straightforward issues yourself and as part of a team. 10. Ability to provide advice and guidance to a range of colleagues and customers. Desirable Criteria 11. Post- 16 qualifications or equivalent experience. 12. Experience of Banner and Banner Reporting system and/or another CRM system. 13. Knowledge and experience of Durham University's collegiate structure and the work and impact of its Colleges. 14. Experience in minute taking, servicing committees and other meetings. 15. Experience of University financial and procurement systems. How to apply To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence. Please don't forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above). While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview. Submitting your application We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails What you are required to submit: • A CV • A document that shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification Contact details If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Dr Steven Beckett would be happy to speak to you. s.n.beckett@durham.ac.uk Typical Role Requirements Here are the kind of activities that you'll be asked to undertake and ways in which you'll be expected to operate. Service Delivery • Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values. • Provide an excellent, responsive and proactive accommodation and allocation service for stakeholders. Apply professional and regulatory procedures and processes and use of systems including the Banner Student Records system. • Use your experience and problem-solving skills to resolve routine issues with things relevant to your role such as payment queries and provide information and updates to help your team find solutions. • Collect, organise, record, store and archive data and information accurately and safely and provide reports as required. • Promote positive wellbeing arrangements which benefit you and your team. • When carrying out your role, use and apply relevant professional and regulatory standards to process, check and reconcile anomalies within data and information sets] when managing data. • Use standard office-based digital systems, tools and equipment to carry out data recording, communications and networking. • Process and update key business documentation. • Arrange venue, catering, travel and/or equipment for events, meetings and activities for other team members. Teamwork • Resolve queries and respond to requests for information and advice and bring any complex issues to the attention of more experienced team members. • Help your team organise and provide administrative services that support key activities undertaken within your service and contribute to team planning activities. • Help your team ensure that products and services are adapted in response to feedback and to meet changing demands. Be flexible in approach to accommodate the needs of team members and/or service users. Communication/Liaison • Seek feedback from stakeholders on their requirements from your service to ensure that their reasonable expectations are being met. Respond to service users answering and recording standard queries and bookings for activities and/or events. Escalating queries where necessary. • Record data and information accurately and provide reports as required to team members and more experienced staff. • Liaise and collaborate with staff in other service areas of the organisation, professional organisations and agencies to ensure a seamless, smooth and efficient service. • Liaise with internal and external suppliers and specialists with the organisation, planning and delivery of services, activities, information and events. • Provide support for networks, committees and meetings, working groups and committees, to draft and distribute documents and communications in standard professional formats. • Any other reasonable duties. Specific Role requirements Flexibility regarding working hours will be required as certain meetings and committees can fall outside of normal office hours. In addition, the role requires a small amount of evening and weekend work, mainly to support University open days and student induction activities. The office works Hybrid which normally requires at least 3 days on site working and 2 days home working. Useful links If you would like further information you may find the following will help College Membership and Accommodation Office - Durham University Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data. When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.