The Post
*Internal Applicants Only*
This 18 month fixed term position, will provide backfill for key staff contributing to the Student Information System (SIS) Project. Applications for secondment are welcome.
This role sits as part of the Student, Academic, and Corporate Services (SACS) Directorate, Student and Faculty Operations (SFO), which has a remit to design, lead and deliver an informed, effective, and integrated professional service which will benefit both the staff and student experience. SFO delivery ranges from strategic level support and resource planning and management to the fluent management of the Student Administration lifecycle from enrolment to graduation.
The Student Administration Manager post is based within the Student Administration team. As a member of the Management Team, you will work in partnership with the Head of Student Administration, Director of Student Services and other senior colleagues across SFO and the University to support Student Administration and SFO objectives.
You will be part of the SFO Senior Team and with those colleagues you will share a common focus on teamwork, engagement, streamlining, integration, and consistency. Working in a collaborative, solution focused way with SFO colleagues, other professional services and academic staff will be a core aspect of your role.
Informal enquiries should be made to:
Sheilah Greig, Head of Student Administration,
OR
Dani Tovey, Student Administration Manager,
Description of Duties
1. Following the direction of the Head of Student Administration, lead the delivery of a quality service, enabling effective and positive service delivery, in line with Student Administration and SFO objectives. This includes strategies, goals and priorities, service delivery, service enhancement, business continuity and risk management, quality and standards, and internal and external obligations and compliance. Deliver this in the context of academic quality, governance and regulatory frameworks
2. Work with the Head of Student Administration, the SFO Senior Team, and wider professional services and academic colleagues to resolve conflicting priorities and complex problems which might have an impact on the delivery of the Service strategy
3. Build, manage and develop a knowledgeable, highly-skilled, multi-disciplinary and effective staff team who are engaged and ambitious in their delivery and development of high quality services focusing on improving end-to-end services and driving through positive change to build staff capacity and operational resilience. Effective planning and resourcing of the professional services team to enable effective service delivery while meeting the needs of the business
4. Responsible for delivery of undergraduate, postgraduate (taught and research) student administration including ownership of policies and procedures
5. In partnership with Senior Faculty staff, and through the leadership of the Head of Student Administration, have shared responsibility for ensuring that SFO operates effectively. Ensure consistency, and lead or actively contribute to change management processes within and beyond SFO. Work in a collaborative, solution focused way with other professional services and the wider academic community. As part of this you will establish a local culture focused on teamwork, engagement, streamlining, integration, and consistency
6. As determined by the Head of Student Administration, deliver on and make high value contributions, and manage the implementation and delivery of core Student Administration business, such as progression and awards, student lifecycle, matriculation, tuition fees and funding, and research student administration
7. Be an innovative and high value contributor to the Director of Student and Faculty Operation’s development of a strong SFO senior team. Be a highly valued and respected partner to faculties, Human Resources, Academic Registry, Information Systems and wider SACS and professional services teams, both in terms of delivery and enhancement. Adopt a flexible, engaging and proactive manner in wider University activities
8. Lead or contribute to Project Boards, working groups, or University committees or groups, as appropriate
9. Actively showcase and celebrate the successes of the SFO and the Student Administration team, with a focus on explaining how value has been added from a user’s perspective
10. Implement University policies, including regulatory compliance, in all areas of operation across Student Administration and ensure these are owned, engaged with and consistently applied, delivering on outcomes as appropriate
11. Be an engaged and approachable lead interface for other teams who make use of data and business intelligence held or maintained by Student Administration
12. Participate in national networks relating to the scope of the role and build a productive network of contacts across other institutions
Please see the attached Job Description for full duties of the post.
Essential Criteria
Qualifications
13. Degree level or equivalent qualifications or equivalent professional experience
Knowledge & Experience
14. Extensive experience of service delivery in a managerial role in higher education or an equivalent working environment. Evidence of career development through ongoing progressive growth of responsibilities
15. Significant experience of staff leadership, management and development, in the context of effective enhancement of service delivery
16. Experience of development and implementation of change management and strategy
17. Experience of managing sensitive/confidential issues with tact and diplomacy
18. Experience of working across organisational boundaries to shape delivery as the operations service evolves
19. Experience or training in continuous improvement methodologies, business process review and/or implementing change projects
20. Experience of using a range of relevant IT packages, particularly Microsoft Office applications
Skills and Attributes
21. You will be highly motivated and take genuine pleasure in building relationships and working with others in order to improve services, solve problems, find innovative solutions, and develop colleagues
22. Exceptional organisational skills, resilience and ability to prioritise a demanding workload in a pressurised environment, while maintaining high standards of quality and accuracy
23. Ability to work under pressure and prioritise workload accordingly to meet the needs of the business
24. Creative and positive attitude with a commitment to providing a high-quality service with experience of setting service level standards
25. A strategic and methodological approach to operational planning, service design and delivery, although the diverse nature of the role may require ad-hoc response to challenges
26. Significant skills in process improvement
27. Initiate, develop and maintain excellent relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, using tact, diplomacy, negotiating and influencing skills when required
28. Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to research, draft, critique and present reports on complex issues to a broad range of audiences
29. A high level of numeracy, including the ability to commission, interpret and present statistical and financial data to a non-financial audience
30. Extensive and detailed knowledge of the student administration lifecycle, it’s linkages and dependencies
Desirable Criteria
Qualifications
31. A postgraduate and/or professional qualification
32. Evidence of leadership and management qualifications or significant experience of ongoing personal development
Knowledge and Experience
33. Detailed knowledge of HESA, SLC, SAAS, UKVI linkages and obligations
34. Expert knowledge of SITS or an equivalent student records system
Additional Information
*Internal Applicants Only*
Full time
Fixed term for 18 months
The closing date for applications is midnight on Monday 02 March 2026.
There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.
The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.
Behaviours and Competencies
The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.
35. Managing self and personal skills
Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.
36. Delivering excellent service
Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.
37. Finding solutions
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.
38. Embracing change
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.
39. Using resources effectively
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.
40. Engaging with the wider context
Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.
41. Developing self and others
Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.
42. Working together
Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.
43. Achieving Results
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.