Senior Programme Officer (maternity cover)

About the role:

The postholder will be part of a small team, where strong communication and collaboration is vital for daily operations. The Senior Programme Officer is responsible for accurate student progression monitoring and servicing the Faculty Research Student Sub-Committees. The postholder is expected to resolve complex day-to-day issues, responding in line with College regulations and policies and work with minimal supervision on a day-to-day basis.

The role supports the full student lifecycle, from enrolment and induction through to progression, submission, completion and graduation, maintaining accurate student records and monitoring key milestones using systems such as SITS, Power BI and other university databases.

The postholder acts as Secretary to the Faculty’s Doctoral Studies Sub-committees, preparing agendas and papers, taking minutes and coordinating follow-up actions. They monitor student progression through progress reports and upgrade processes, provide high-quality advice and guidance to students and staff, and resolve complex enquiries while maintaining confidentiality and excellent customer service standards.

The role leads the organisation of PGR events and training activities, including inductions, workshops and supervisor training. Working closely with the Senior Programme Manager, the postholder contributes to quality assurance activities, supports student feedback processes and helps develop and improve administrative procedures and services. The role requires effective workload management, strong stakeholder engagement, and the ability to work collaboratively across the university to ensure consistent, accurate and efficient practices. The postholder is also expected to support colleagues during peak periods, contribute to team development and continuously enhance their own knowledge, skills and performance.

This is a full-time (35 hours per week) maternity cover post offered on a fixed-term contract until 18/07/2027, with the possibility of extension to 18/10/2027.

About you:

Essential criteria

1. Degree level or equivalent qualification or experience
2. Familiarity with Higher Education administration
3. Excellent written and oral communication skills including the ability to draft documents and correspondence autonomously to a broad range of audiences
4. Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams and Outlook and ability to utilise appropriate information in data driven decision making as required
5. Experience in the interpretation of databases and student records systems (such as SITS) to manage student records and to provide management information data to a high level of detail and accuracy
6. Experience of stakeholder management, ability to work with a broad range of stakeholders in a professional and assured manner
7. Experience of working in a customer facing environment with a knowledge of how to address complaints and service setbacks in a professional and efficient manner
8. Excellent organisational and record keeping skills with methodical but flexible approach to work, maintaining a high level of accuracy
9. Excellent time management skills and ability to work under pressure to complete a range of competing priorities to tight deadlines, and requesting and utilising support as and when required

Desirable criteria

1. Experience using student record databases and reporting tools in a Higher Education environment

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