Outreach Manager - External Relations

Outreach Manager - 42349

External Relations, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £40,792 to £48,677, with potential progression once in post to £54,765

Grade 8

Full Time/Permanent

Closing date: 3rd October 2019

The successful candidate will be required to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Outreach Strategic Development

Working with the Heads of Outreach to lead on the strategic development of Outreach activity, including but not limited to Pathways to Birmingham (A2B, and other pathways), making recommendations for improvements and changes to policy and being accountable for delivery targets and the quality of service delivered to schools and colleges.

To develop and oversee the delivery of activities that enable the University to achieve its Outreach targets as set out in the University's Access and Participation Plan.

To understand the broader WP and recruitment landscape, identifying areas for innovation, and providing solutions to seemingly intractable problems.

To deputise for the Heads of Outreach as required.

Relationship Management

To manage the Outreach relationships with a number of key internal departments including DARO (representing the University at high profile Donor events), Study Abroad, Careers Network, the Care Leavers Group, Student Funding and Awards (overseeing and monitoring P2B awards

Using data to identify new A2B partner schools / colleges to enable the delivery of A2B targets and to initiate and follow up meetings with senior staff

To oversee the account management of relationships with key partner schools and colleges and associated senior staff and in partnership with the Head of Outreach (Operations) develop and implement a schools engagement strategy in order to achieve the University's wider Outreach targets.

Using expertise and knowledge of widening participation to help influence the University's WP student lifecycle approach to attracting and supporting the successful progression of WP students.

Data and Reporting

To analyse internal and external WP data using market insight and intelligence to monitor Outreach targets and understand current performance, assessing the impact of WP policy and developments in the UK wider education sector.

To analyse a wide range of data to enable the targeting and prioritisation of schools to benefit from engagement with the University.

To use experience and expertise in data management, admissions and record systems to understand requirements, identify and lead process improvements for tracking learner engagement in programmes leading to admissions to HE and UoB.

Produce regular data, reports and advice for University Senior Management, for reporting to committees and to enable reporting to the OfS.

To work with the Outreach Evaluation Officer on the robust evaluation of Outreach programmes, ensuring accuracy of data and reporting and disseminating findings widely.

Staff and resource management

To have responsibility for, and manage a team of staff who deliver the Pathways to Birmingham programme and other Outreach activities

The post holder will oversee the deployment of staff and allocation of resources to deliver objectives

Oversee staff who give presentations, advice and guidance in partner schools the Head of Outreach (Operations) to oversee project budgets and colleges. This will include presentations on all aspects of P2B and A2B, and applying to Higher Education to students and parents. The post holder may also deliver this activity him / herself where appropriate.

Working with the Head of Outreach (Operations) to oversee project budgets

Pathways to Birmingham

Working with the Marketing Officer (Outreach),oversight of all aspects of the P2B promotion and contact strategy with all stakeholders including students, parents, senior leaders and school staff and an annual teachers forum.

Oversight of all operational aspects of the P2B scheme working through Outreach officers, ensuring resource is deployed appropriately to respond to student and teacher queries, applications are assessed and progressed in a timely manner and that all individual components of the scheme are properly delivered to deadline

Managing relationships with academics and professional staff across the University who are involved in delivery of the scheme, including central admissions, departmental admissions tutors

Oversight of A2B preparation days, practice interviews for Medicine, Dentistry, Social Work and Physiotherapy and the enhanced induction day for students

Working with academic colleagues to implement, review and improve the academic components of the A2B and P2B modules, providing support and training to c100 staff.

Ongoing review and evaluation of the scheme.

Support for wider recruitment activity and any other activities which may arise which are commensurate with the responsibilities of the post.

Person Specification

• A person who will command respect and engage in a variety of situations from pupils in schools, to head teachers and senior managers for the University
• Significant relationship and staff management experience.
• Demonstrable influencing skills and the ability to influence senior academic and professional services staff within the University
• Ability to work effectively in a team and independently and to respond positively to the demands of the role
• Able to solve complex problems and think critically, a person who is innovative and can initiate and manage strategic change
• Able to use sound judgement in decision making
• A person who is a self-motivator and who can motivate a diverse range of staff, demonstrating advanced emotional intelligence
• Ability to work independently and proactively in making and developing contacts with schools/ colleges and to develop good working relationships
• Proven ability to think creatively and innovatively to implement systems and process change
• Well-developed organisational skills with real attention to deadlines and detail
• Advanced project management skills
• Experience of working with complex data sets, systems and processes
• Confident in the use of IT systems, data management systems, data analysis and electronic communication
• Can deal with situations with sensitivity, tact and diplomacy
• Outstanding verbal and written communication and the ability to develop sustained relationships with senior staff
• The ability to translate complex project information into compelling oral / written communications and an ability to present with confidence
• Well developed administrative and organisational skills with real attention to deadlines and detail.
• Able to coordinate work across different parts of the University working with academic and professional services staff
• Ability to work with initiative, take decisions and think strategically and creatively, helping to shape strategy in a competitive Higher Education market. Able to translate strategy to create operational plans
• Ability to analyse data in detail and produce reports for management
• Creative and innovative approach to problem-solving
• Able to manage, lead and develop a team of officers
• Ability to embrace and lead change
• Able to modify approach to team members and situations and confident in encouraging team members to excel
• Prepared to travel within the UK and occasional work in the evenings and at weekends

We value diversity at The University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community' Valuing excellence; sustaining investment