The Post
This fixed term position until 31 August 2027 will provide backfill for key staff contributing to the Student Information System (SIS) Project. Applications for secondment are welcome.
You will be based within the Student Administration team as part of the wider Student and Faculty Operations grouping which brings together central and faculty professional services teams.
You will be a key member of the Student Administration management team and work closely with the Student Administration Manager and Deputy Student Administration Manager to deliver a high-quality service to students, academic staff and other key internal and external stakeholders. You will contribute to the ongoing enhancement of the student experience and to the planning and delivery of a diverse academic portfolio in line University strategic priorities, sectoral developments and changing student expectations.
Responsible for leading a team of administrators, you will ensure that systems, processes and procedures are customer centric while adhering to university regulations and those of external regulatory governing bodies.
A keen interest in current policy issues relating to higher education is desirable, together with a desire to learn and grow within a professional and growing organisation. You will be expected to process, organise and interpret complex information quickly and accurately to support the delivery of a range of academic services. A highly organised and flexible approach along with excellent communication and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously is essential.
Developing positive working relationships with colleagues within faculty professional services teams is essential and in particular within areas such as Academic Registry, Admissions, Communications, Marketing and Recruitment, Faculties, Financial Services, Internationalisation and Partnerships, and Student Support Services.
Informal enquiries should be made to Sheilah Greig, Head of Student Administration, or Dani Tovey, Student Administration Manager,
Description of Duties
Leadership and People Management
1. Lead, motivate and develop a team of professional services staff to provide a professional, high quality, and customer-focused service
2. Develop and deliver induction and training plans
3. Deliver an effective and supportive service to staff and students by identifying priorities, organising workloads, monitoring the capacity and capability of the team
4. Identify and implement business change to drive continuous improvement within the team
Student Programmes Activities
5. Lead annual student progression, supporting the team ensuring that student records are updated accurately, and students are provided advice where required
6. Act as a source of expertise relating to student programme changes, both for students and internal colleagues
7. Lead administrative support across a range of academic programmes and activities to deliver an excellent student experience and high levels of customer service
8. Lead liaison between faculties and partner institution colleagues on such matters as leave of absence, progression and programme transfers
9. Responsible for ensuring information provided on the website is accurate and updated regularly to support students and staff
10. Liaise with colleagues in partner institutions to ensure a co-ordinated and positive experience for students engaged in off-campus delivery
11. Develop and share best practise across the team, directorate and wider University to enhance the student and staff experience
Data Integrity, Risk Management and Governance
12. Manage processes for updating the student record where required for leave of absence, withdrawal from studies, programme changes and mode of attendance changes
13. Lead processes for collecting of assessment data such as grades working with faculties to ensure timelines are met
14. Lead maintaining data integrity across the student record
15. Support the development and maintenance of effective processes to enable required changes to the student record accurately and within agreed service levels
16. Responsible for managing activities to ensure data quality in the student record system to especially focus on data required for statutory returns such as HESA Data Futures
17. Work with the Deputy Student Administration Manager and Student Administration Manager to support business continuity and risk management planning
18. Develop and maintain knowledge and expertise in systems, policies and regulations associated, ensuring that these are operationalised as required
University Wide Activities
19. Lead and participate in specific projects
20. Support the senior colleagues with resource planning to deliver student support events
21. Work flexibly and collaboratively, providing administrative support across the University
22. Demonstrate a proactive approach to personal development
23. Undertake any other duties and responsibilities, commensurate with the grade of the post, as directed by line manager
24. Deputise for the Deputy Student Administration Manager, as required
Essential Criteria
Qualifications
25. Educated to a minimum of degree level, or equivalent qualifications / demonstrable professional experience
Knowledge & Experience
26. Extensive work experience in fast paced, customer focused administrative environment
27. Experience of staff leadership, management and development
28. Extensive of using a range of Microsoft Office packages with specific experience in the use of Excel
29. Experience of dealing with confidential and sensitive information
30. Experience of working across organisational boundaries to achieve team and organisational objectives
31. Sound understanding of current GDPR and Equality legislation and the impact of non-compliance within the remit of the role
Skills & Attributes
32. Excellent organisational skills, resilience and ability to prioritise a demanding workload in a pressurised environment, while maintaining high standards of quality and accuracy
33. Creative and positive attitude
34. Proven track record of working as part of a team as well as being pro-active and motivated to work independently to achieve agreed outcomes
35. Excellent communication skills, with experience of communicating through a variety of methods and channels e.g. internal and external stakeholders, as well as having the ability to understand and interpret organisational policies and procedures
36. Excellent problem solving and decision-making skills, using sound judgement to make positive solutions, with minimal supervision, escalating as required
37. Ability to develop and enhance positive relationships with a range of internal and external customers
Desirable Criteria
Qualifications
38. Evidence of ongoing leadership and management training and qualifications
Knowledge & Experience
39. Experience of working in Higher Education and/or up-to-date knowledge and understanding of the HE sector and issues relating to the student lifecycle and experience
40. Experience of working with complex administration systems (preferably Tribal SITS)
41. Experience of continuous improvement methodologies and business process review and/or implementing change projects
42. Experience in change management and strategic planning
Additional Information
Full time
Fixed term until 31 August 2027
The closing date for applications is midnight on Monday 13 April 2026.
There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.
This role may be eligible for sponsorship depending on candidate circumstances.
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.
43. 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.
44. 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.
45. Finding solutions
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.
46. Embracing change
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.
47. Using resources effectively
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.
48. Engaging with the wider context
Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.
49. 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.
50. Working together
Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.
51. Achieving Results
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.