transforming services (education) · alongside numerous other distinguished staff, including 13...

Assistant Director Transforming Services (Education)

Candidate Packwww.cardiff.ac.uk

Why Cardiff University 03

Cardiff: a capital city 06

Professional Services 08

Transforming Services 11

The Role 11

Person Specification 13

Additional Information 14

Contents

02Assistant Director – Transforming Services (Education) Candidate Pack

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Why Cardiff University?

World-leading researchCardiff is in the top tier of Britain’s research universities and is a member of the prestigious Russell Group. We are ranked in the top 5 universities in the UK for research excellence.

300We are committed to skills development and have more than 300 postgraduate study options at Cardiff, including full-time, part-time, blended learning and distance learning courses.

Two Nobel LaureatesOur world-leading researchers include two Nobel Prize winners - Professor Sir Martin Evans and Professor Robert Huber, working alongside numerous other distinguished staff, including 13 Royal Society Fellows.

World leading ImpactOur research has hugely beneficial effects on the economy, on the health and wellbeing of the population and on society more generally. We are ranked second in the UK for the impact of our research.

7We’ve been awarded seven Queen’s Anniversary Prizes, which recognise world-class excellence in UK Higher Education.

Research volumeWe have a live portfolio of research grants and contracts with a value exceeding £550M, demonstrating the global competitiveness of our research and its ability to attract investment.

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Top 10Cardiff is recognised as one of the 10 most beautiful universities in the UK (Times Higher Education 2018).

An international communityWith over 7,900 international students from more than 130 countries, you’ll be part of a vibrant community that celebrates its diverse culture.

£3.23 billion We attract high-quality investment from both the public and private sector which helps translate our world-leading research into the products, services and processes of the future. Our excel-lence in teaching and learning provides highly skilled and well paid graduates who make a significant contribution to the public purse when they enter the world of work. Overall, we contribute £3.23 billion to the UK economy annually and we generate £6.30 for every £1 we spend.The economic and social impact of Cardiff University in 2016-17, October 2018, London Economics.

Strategic partnerships and collaborationsWe co-create and deliver our research and innovation activities in partnership with a wide range of other organisations from the NHS to local governments, the Cardiff Capital Region and companies from local SMEs to global, blue chip household names. We have a formal strategic partnership with the UK Office for National Statistics with others to be announced soon.

£600 millionWe’re undertaking our biggest campus upgrade for a generation by investing £600m to improve and develop our facilities and infrastructure.

9We have invested in nine University Research Institutes URIs in areas including Crime and Security, Data Innovation and Neuroscience and Mental Health. Together our researchers are helping to create a stronger, healthier and more sustainable world.

Assistant Director – Transforming Services (Education) Candidate Pack


Dynamic. Friendly. Affordable.

Cardiff is a thriving and attractive city which is widely recognised as an outstanding place in which to live, work and study. Cardiff caters to all tastes, offering everything from the excitement of the city to the peace and tranquillity of the nearby coast and countryside.

Contemporary, welcoming and easy to get around, the Welsh capital is a city with character, heritage and ambition. Cardiff combines all the advantages of a compact, friendly and affordable location with the cultural and recreational facilities of a modern capital city.

‘With an exhilarating mix of heavyweight cultural sights, exciting regeneration projects, world-class sport, a prolific music scene and some seriously banging nightlife, it’s easy to see why Cardiff now ranks alongside London and Edinburgh as one of the UK’s most compelling destinations.’ Rough Guides, 2018

Cardiff: a capital city

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As one of the UK’s major sporting centres, Cardiff is home to the iconic 74,500-seat Principality Stadium. The city hosts professional football at the Cardiff City Stadium, rugby at the famous Arms Park and international cricket at Sophia Gardens. Cardiff also boasts an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a white water rafting and canoe centre, ice rink and facilities to play a range of other sports.

In the mood for some culture? Cardiff is well-equipped, with entertainment to suit all tastes. Cardiff Bay’s world-class Wales Millennium Centre regularly plays host to touring West End musicals, as well as concerts, drama and ballet. The city is also home to the acclaimed Welsh National Opera, two thriving theatres, several multi-screen cinemas, comedy clubs and a well-established arts centre.

As you’d expect from a capital city, Cardiff is one of the UK’s leading retail destinations. Designer boutiques and high street names can be found within the St David’s Shopping Centre, which stands alongside local independent shops, numerous indoor and outdoor markets and a fascinating network of glass-canopied Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades.

Cardiff is a compact city, best explored on foot or by bicycle. The city’s new Next Bikes scheme has cycle racks located all over the city – and the first half hour of every journey is free to all Cardiff University students! Excellent transport links also make it easy to travel across the city, south Wales and beyond, with London less than two hours away by rail.


Following an investment of £2.4bn, Cardiff Bay is regarded as one of the most successful regeneration projects in the UK. The Bay boasts a modern development of homes, shops, bars, restaurants, offices, and entertainment and sport facilities.

Cardiff is a truly cosmopolitan city and its multicultural vibe is reflected in its diverse range of cafes, restaurants and bars. No matter your preference, you’re sure to find plenty to suit your taste and budget.

Boasting some 330 parks and gardens, Cardiff benefits from an abundance of green spaces. Our parks reach right into the heart of the city centre, making the capital a green haven for exploring, relaxing and taking some time out.

Want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life? The easily-accessible Brecon Beacons National Park offers outstanding scenery and wildlife, alongside ample opportunity for all kinds of outdoor pursuits including hiking and rock climbing. If it’s sea air you crave, take a wander along our stunning coastline by following the 870-mile Wales Coastal Path: the only path in the world that follows a country’s coastline in its entirety.

“Cardiff is a great place to be a student. Although it’s the capital of Wales, it isn’t a large city, which means most things are within walking distance. The centre is very compact and filled to the brim with bars, restaurants, cafes and shops. I also love Cardiff because of its surrounding areas: within half an hour I could either be looking out to sea in Penarth or climbing a mountain in the valleys.” David, MSc Data Science and Analytics


Professional Services at Cardiff UniversityTo support the strategic plan, The Way Forward, we are investing in a transformational programme which Professional Services across the University are working to deliver.

Our academic community is central to our success. It’s crucial they are supported by high quality Professional Services to deliver excellence in research, learning and teaching, and student experience. We are also committed to providing an excellent staff experience to match that of the institution’s students.

The University is a major and complex institution with turnover exceeding £500 million per annum. In February 2016, Cardiff issued a bond of £300 million, which will help finance the institution’s strategic goals. The net proceeds from the bond will support general corporate purposes, including investment in leading-edge new research, teaching and student facilities through our Master Plan that will be among the best in the world, and radically enhance the student experience.

The key aims of the Professional Services are:

• to support The Way Forward;

• improve its services;

• generate income;

• develop its people.

Professional Services at Cardiff University aims to be focused, professional, efficient and effective, with infrastructure and support services working to the highest standards in comparison with the University’s peers.Deborah Collins, Chief Operating Officer

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Transforming Services Jointly led by the Chief Operating Officer and the Pro Vice-Chancellor for the College of Physical Sciences and Engineering.

The Transforming Services Portfolio of Change will create a Professional Service equipped to support a global top 100 university that is easy to use and fully meets the needs of our students, academics and Professional Services staff. Initial focus will include:

A single Professional Service: Bringing the line management and associated budgets under the governance of the Chief Operating Officer and working collaboratively to identify how services can be optimally resourced, delivered and located in the future.

Estates: Rationalising the campus footprint, developing and testing space norms, making space utilisation transparent and more collaborative, and developing more income generating opportunities from our estate including sponsorship for new investments.

Library Spaces: Investing to improve our archival storage facilities, enhance our digital collections, improve facilities in the Arts and Social Studies Library and meet the increasing demand for quiet, social, flexible and collaborative study space across the libraries.

Research Service: Developing and implement improved research support services that are more consistent and strategically aligned.

Education Service: Ensuring that we have a consistent, high quality student experience, delivering a single Education Service without silos, duplication or barriers, in which students and staff have trust and confidence.

The delivery of outstanding education is at the very core of the University mission, with tuition fee income the largest source of University income. The services that support education delivery are critical to achieving an educationally outstanding university providing students with superb study and life experiences. However, University Executive Board recognise that there are significant service improvements that can be made to the current approach to service delivery. Consequently in January 2020 approval was given to create and deliver a major change initiative in how the University provides Education Services. The Education Service Programme as part of a wider portfolio of change across Education Services, will deliver a unified and flexible Education Service with:• efficient, consistent processes and activities,

respecting disciplinary points of difference (agreed variation based on professional or external regulatory requirements).

• improved systems support, ensuring service efficiency and delivery is supported by appropriate technology and other digital opportunities.

• Student Enquiry Points and Hubs with a clear identity and estate investment plan

• an organisational design that is flexible, resilient, and delivers excellent service and meaningful career

pathways.• a culture of trust, respect and pride in service, with

strong professional relationships and partnership working with academic colleagues.

• a professionalised investigating officer function established in Student Cases.

• a technology architecture road map to secure a fit for purpose and sustainable student record and management system

• reduction in overall costs

The successful candidate will be responsible for the overall management and delivery of the Education Service within Transforming Services on behalf of the Academic Registrar (as Delivery Sponsor) and the Director of Portfolio Services, supporting the academic and professional services leadership in the design of the portfolio so it aligns with the University strategic direction and its subsequent successful delivery. They will ensure that the Education Service adheres to the University programme and project management practices and standards via the PMO Framework.

The Role


The Appointed candidate will: • Lead and manage delivery of the Education Service

within Transforming Services, closely managing dependencies and relationships between the core Education Service Programme and the wider Education Portfolio of Change

• Manage a range of strategically important programmes and projects of all sizes and complexity across business and process change, in order to deliver the desired benefits for the Education Service.

• Support the Sponsor in the management of the Steering Board, ensuring that the Board receives timely reports and transparent information in support of its decision making and continued alignment with its overall goals.

• Mobilise and Deliver Phase 1 of the Education Service, by producing a roadmap of change activities aligned to the associated investment business case, working closely with the Delivery Sponsor to ensure the change is focused on delivering the strategic KPI’s and associated strategic goals, benefits and desired outcomes

• Lead and manage a dedicate team of direct reports and a matrix of reports where appropriate, taking overall responsibility for the management, development and performance of its staff, to achieve professional best practice, customer focus and continuous improvement

• Manage the Education portfolio of plans and associated dependencies across its programmes and projects so the portfolio is resourced appropriately, and benefits and desired outcomes of the portfolio can be achieved.

• Develop the business case for the second phase of delivery of the Education Service for presentation to University Executive Board in late 2021

• Lead on the preparation and implementation of the Communication and engagement management plans to ensure the Education Service has credibility, understanding and buy in to the change agenda across its stakeholder landscape.

• Direct, develop and oversee the Portfolio’s financial management framework and controls through investment appraisal, project cost management and impact on the University future revenue budgets to ensure strong and transparent financial management and informed decision making.

• Develop and maintain the Portfolio Benefits Framework to ensure the necessary controls and tracking mechanisms are in place, the benefits forecasts are clear and ensure double counting is minimised.

• Direct, develop and oversee the portfolio approach and processes to manage risk, resolve issues and ensures the delivery within the portfolio of activity is successful and appropriately timed.

• Conduct programme and project reviews so that lessons are learned from the programmes and projects within the portfolio are identified and communicated more widely across all the change activity.

• Manage and direct the effective closure of programmes and projects to the Business as Usual directorates to provide a controlled transition to the operations and continued programme of benefit delivery.

• Any other duties required by the Director of Portfolio Services, or other University senior management which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role and deputised for the Director of Portfolio Services as appropriate.

Dimensions

• Management of the current overall budget of c. £5m

• Manage and oversee delivery of a team of c. 20 staff

• Member of Portfolio Services Division Senior Management Team

School / Directorate

University IT (Portfolio Services)

Post responsible to: Director of Portfolio Services

Posts responsible for: Direct reports include Project Managers and multiple other specialist roles via matrix management structure

Internal and external relationships• PVC-SEAS as Executive Sponsor and Academic

Registrar as Delivery Sponsor• College and Thematic PVCs – relationship

management and strategic level engagements• CIO, Portfolio Services Director– co-ordination of

programme, progress and resources• College Registrars and Other Professional Service

Directors – liaison regarding delivery of change impacting their respective Colleges

• IT Director – co-ordination of resources required for technical delivery and development of business case for improvements to Student Records System

• Education Service Workstream Lead• Programme and Change Management Resource

Suppliers – recruitment of key staff• AUA and UCISA – programme and project forums• Range of HE establishments – sharing best

practices and experience

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Knowledge, skills and experience• A first degree or professionally qualified or

experienced, with evidence of regular skills updating.

• Significant relevant Senior Management level experience gained in a complex environment with a clear track record of successful delivery of major transformational programmes within defined timescales and budgets.

• Extensive experience of managing multiple programmes and projects with differing areas of scope at various stages of their lifecycle demonstrating the ability to coordinate and control the portfolio.

• Excellent Senior stakeholder management skills with the ability to communicate at all levels, demonstrating the sensitivities required to balance and resolve issues, define priorities and ensure understanding and buy in to the Portfolio and its objectives.

• Excellent communication skills, demonstrating the ability to employ differing communication techniques and approaches in relation to the audience’s preferences coupled with an empathy for any individuals most effective way of assimilating information.

• Proven experience in shaping strategy and operating models through active participation and leadership of project teams.

• Strong analytical skills with proven experience of solving complex problems.

• Significant experience of creating and managing plans for complex, large scale programmes and projects, including budgets and resources, prioritisation and scheduling of conflicting tasks to deliver outputs under tight deadlines, risk and issue management and change management.

Personal Qualities • A manager of people and teams, able to motivate,

develop, coach and grow an individual’s and team’s performance.

• Resilient, determined and confident team player with the ability to prioritise work, manage potential conflicts and maintain delivery under pressure.

• Excellent communicator at all levels with a strong focus on engaging stakeholders, understanding their needs and delivering an excellent customer service.

• Tenacious, pragmatic and focused on delivery.

• Professional understanding of applying transformation methodologies and using the toolsets across the portfolio to deliver the desired change and outcomes.

Desirable• Experience within the Higher Education sector is

an advantage as is the specific knowledge and experience in relation to the delivery of education services to staff and students

• Experience in the development and delivery of Target Operating Models and Service Redesign

• A professional qualification in Portfolio, Programme, Project or Change management is desirable


Terms and Conditions of Employment The post will be initially be offered on a fixed term basis for 2 years. Cardiff University will offer an attractive salary, commensurate with experience, for a highly talented postholder. Cardiff offers 37 days per annum of annual leave plus bank holidays, and a USS Retirement Income Builder (RIB) pension.

Equality of Opportunity policy Cardiff University is committed to promoting equality and diversity in all of its practices and activities, including those relating to staff recruitment and employment. The University aims to establish an inclusive culture which welcomes and ensures equality of opportunity for applicants of all ages, ethnicities, disabilities, family structures, genders, nationalities, sexual orientations, races, religious or other beliefs, and socio-economic backgrounds. This commitment forms part of Cardiff University’s Equality and Diversity Policy – see: www.cardiff.ac.uk/govrn/cocom/equalityanddiversity/index

How to ApplyPlease apply by submitting a copy of your Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a covering letter highlighting your suitability for the position no later than midday on Monday 2 March by email to:

[email protected]

Interviews will be held in Cardiff on 12 or 13 March.

For an informal conversation prior to applying to this role, please contact: Claire Ingram (PA to the Director of Portfolio Services) on +44 29208 75014

Additional Information

www.cardiff.ac.uk

Cardiff University is a member of the Russell Group of UniversitiesCardiff University is a registered charity No. 1136855Copyright © Cardiff University

transforming services (education) · alongside numerous other distinguished staff, including 13...

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