Durham University
Deputy Head of Admissions Systems, Reporting and Analytics
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The Role and the Department
The Deputy Head of Admissions Systems, Reporting and Analytics will support the strategic and operational delivery of admissions-related systems, reporting frameworks, and applicant data analysis across the University. This role is integral to the University's mission to provide a high-quality applicant experience and maintain compliance with data and regulatory standards.
Working closely with the Head of Admissions Systems, Reporting and Analytics, the post-holder will coordinate daily operations, lead specific system development or reporting projects, and act as a key contact for system users. They will support process improvement initiatives and the implementation of a new undergraduate admissions system.
The role involves extensive cross-departmental collaboration, particularly with Academic Registry, Admissions teams, Computing and Information Services (CIS), and academic departments. The Deputy Head will line manage four members of staff and deputise for the Head as required.
The post-holder will report to the Head of Admissions Systems, Reporting and Analytics.
Working Environment
Durham University supports a hybrid working environment to promote work-life balance and flexibility. This role is expected to spend a minimum of 40% of their working time on-site at the University. This arrangement allows for essential face-to-face collaboration, team management, and engagement with stakeholders, while also providing the flexibility to work remotely. The exact working pattern will be agreed upon with the line manager and may vary depending on the needs of the role.
What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification
Your application should cover the following criteria:
Essential Criteria
Qualifications and Experience
- Experience working with student information or admissions systems in a Higher Education environment.
- Demonstrable experience supporting system development or business change initiatives.
- Understanding of data management, reporting, and compliance obligations (e.g. HESA, UCAS).
- Experience of managing or supervising staff or projects.
- Degree-level qualification or equivalent practical experience.
Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge
- Competence in handling and analysing student or applicant data.
- Familiarity with systems such as CRM platforms, student records systems, or business intelligence tools like Power BI.
- Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver outcomes on time.
- A commitment to continuous service improvement and enhancing user experience.
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Desirable Criteria
- Experience of contributing to large-scale systems implementations or migrations.
- Knowledge of regulatory and statutory data returns in UK Higher Education.
- Understanding of project management principles.
- Postgraduate or technical qualification relevant to data, systems, or higher education administration.
How to apply
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.
Submitting your application:
- A CV
- A supporting statement which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification
Contact details:
- For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Millie Thomas camille.e.thomas@durham.ac.uk or Orla Thompson orla.thompson@durham.ac.uk
Key Responsibilities
Service Delivery and Development
- Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.
- Develop and apply an in-depth understanding of university policy and external developments when carrying out your role.
- Use your professional knowledge and experience as a Student Recruitment and Admissions professional to shape processes and develop systems.
- Use your managerial and leadership expertise to identify priorities to achieve the required outcomes.
- Act as a key liaison with CIS to ensure system integrity, usability, and security.
- Manage quality and regulatory audits of systems and procedures.
- Initiate and manage business process reviews to improve the service in your area.
Planning and Organisation
- Contribute to the development of operational plans relevant to Student Recruitment and Admissions systems development activities in line with institutional strategy.
- Oversee the analysis of data about the service levels provided by your area and make recommendations for improvement.
- Coordinate delivery timelines, gather user requirements, and support business analysis activities.
- Help define and monitor KPIs relevant to admissions system performance and reporting outputs.
- Contribute to the preparation of documentation and materials for committees, reviews, and audits.
- Allocate and monitor designated budgets, expenditure, and resources.
Leadership and Team Development
- Manage and develop the people, performance, and resources of your team to ensure that a customer-focused service is provided.
- Help shape the skills and expertise needed to deliver a professional service by recruiting, inducting, and training team members.
- Ensure that your team can deliver the required services by devolving and delegating responsibilities to appropriate team members.
- Carry out regular performance reviews to provide feedback on objectives and expectations and identify any development needs.
- Handle most HR issues and support the welfare and wellbeing of your team.
- Promote a positive working culture and act as a role model for professional standards within the team.
- Deputise for the Head of Admissions Systems, Reporting and Analytics as required.
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Communication and Liaison
- Use your professional knowledge to identify and recommend priorities for long-term business plans.
- Provide professional guidance and advice when managing Student Recruitment and Admissions Systems queries.
- Design creative and innovative communications to promote and increase engagement relating to Student Recruitment and Admissions Systems.
- Influence University policy, standards, and governance by leading operational business meetings, working groups, and sub-committees.
- Create strong working relationships, including internal and external networks.
- Communicate technical issues and updates clearly to non-specialist audiences.
- Coordinate training, guidance, and documentation for system users.
- Any other reasonable duties.
MATERNITY COVER
Appointment to this post is fixed term to cover the substantive post holder’s maternity leave and is not anticipated to be extended.
SECONDMENT
The post is full-time, fixed term for an 11-month period and may be offered on an internal secondment basis subject to the agreement of the current line manager. If an internal member of staff is appointed to this role on a secondment basis, for pension purposes this will be processed in line with Step-Up arrangements.
Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Privacy Notice which provides information on the collation, storing, and use of data.
Durham University is a UKVI sponsor. Applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK should note that not all roles are eligible. Further information on visa requirements and eligibility can be found on the UKVI website.
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