• Lead a team of student number planning and reporting analysts, ensuring student number forecasts are completed accurately and within the University's budget timetable, including contributing to the Annual Financial Return required by the Office for Students.
• Work with colleagues across the University to collect performance data and student recruitment targets, ensuring the process is clearly documented and that proposed targets are presented for the appropriate committee and Board approvals.
• Provide advice and guidance to colleagues, including managers within Academic Schools, on regulatory requirements, student populations, enrolment numbers and progression calculations.
• Oversee analysis of current-year data and previous-year student statutory returns data to identify trends and performance against University key performance indicators.
• Work closely with Marketing, Recruitment and Communications on student recruitment target setting and with Finance on reporting relating to fee income.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of student enrolment, withdrawal and planning reports and dashboards, ensuring that information is accurate and accessible to colleagues across the University, including the Vice-Chancellor and University Executive Team.
• Ensure processes and documentation are kept up to date and that appropriate arrangements are in place to provide cover within the team.
• Develop scenario modelling that can be used at University, School and academic department level to support planning and decision-making.
• Assess and report on the impact of changes to academic regulations, University processes, strategy, course provision and the external environment on student number modelling.
• Work with colleagues across the Planning and Performance Directorate to support the delivery of departmental priorities and promote effective team working.
• Undertake any other duties as required by the line manager or Director of Planning and Intelligence.

Essential Criteria

You will need to demonstrate:

• A degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject, preferably with a numerate focus.
• Experience of developing forecasting models.
• Experience of managing a small team.
• Advanced data analysis skills, including experience of working with large and complex datasets and advanced Excel and SQL and/or other data extraction and analysis tools.
• Experience of creating dashboards using Power BI or other tool.
• A curious and tenacious approach to problem solving, with the ability to investigate issues and identify appropriate solutions.
• The ability to manage your own workload and the workload of others.
• Good time management and the ability to work to deadlines.
• The ability to work effectively with colleagues and manage upwards, particularly when delivering projects to tight deadlines.
• Experience of working across different departments and building effective working relationships.
• The ability to undertake duties at different University premises, including any University campus, as required.
• The ability to undertake other duties as required by the line manager or Director of Planning and Intelligence.

Desirable Criteria

It Would Be Desirable If You Have

• Experience of delivering five-year student number forecasts within Higher Education.
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Experience of using or extracting data from the SITS student record
• Experience of negotiating and influencing colleagues and stakeholders.

Apply now and help shape

If you have experience of student number planning, forecasting and data analysis and are looking for an opportunity to make a contribution to strategic planning at Birmingham City University, we would like to hear from you.

This is a key role in supporting the University to understand student numbers, plan effectively and respond to changes in the Higher Education environment.

Apply now and find out more about the opportunity to join Birmingham City University.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Head of Student Number Planning and Reporting, Jo Mellor at Jo.Mellor@bcu.ac.uk

Why work for us

• Work–life balance – Generous leave and hybrid working (role dependent).
• Career development – Opportunities to grow, develop and progress your career.
• Reward and wellbeing – Competitive pay, pension, wellbeing support and staff benefits.
• Inclusive culture – A supportive, diverse environment where everyone belongs.

Further Details

Job Description

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Use of AI in applications

At BCU, we welcome applications that clearly demonstrate how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role. AI tools may be used to support you in preparing your application, but the information you provide must be accurate, authentic and based on your own experience. Applications that rely too heavily on AI, appear generic or do not provide specific evidence against the role criteria are less likely to progress to the next stage of the recruitment process. For more information, please refer to our candidate guidance; How to Apply - Jobs at Birmingham City University

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and to an environment that supports lawful free speech and academic freedom. We will continuously review and improve our policies, practices, and procedures to ensure that we are promoting these in all aspects of our operations. We believe that by working together, combining our many different backgrounds and life experiences, we will empower each other to reach our full potential.

Disability Confident Employer

Birmingham City University is proud to be a Disability Confident Committed Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview.

The appointed candidate will normally be employed through our subsidiary company, BCU Support Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Birmingham City University. Appointees with prior LGPS membership who wish to re-enter the scheme may do so and will be employed directly by the University.

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