Job Related Information

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The Open University, Human Resources, HRG158 | Page 1 of 6

Job Related Information

This document includes information about the role for which you are applying and the information you will

need to provide with your application.

1. Role Details

Vacancy reference 13077

Job title: Senior Portfolio Analyst, More Students Qualifying (MSQ)

Reports to: Portfolio Manager (MSQ)

Salary: £39,324 to £46,924

Terms and conditions: Academic-Related

Grade 8

Duration of post: Fixed Term Contract until end of March 2018

Working hours: Full-time

Location: Walton Hall, Milton Keynes

Closing date: Midday on Wednesday, 30 November 2016 Type of application form accepted: Application Form and Covering Letter Number of referees required: Three

Unit recruitment contact: [email protected]

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2. Summary of duties

“More students qualifying” (MSQ) is the central strategic priority of The Open University’s Student First strategy – a plan for growth and to deliver life changing learning and life enrichment to even more students.

The Senior Portfolio Analyst will play an important leading role within the MSQ team providing insight and analysis across the programmes, projects and initiatives within the portfolio (across the University in Faculties, Professional and Academic Services and the PVC portfolios) and working with these to question, challenge and make recommendations to optimise solutions delivered. The role holder will also help identify, scope and shape new initiatives and innovations to maximise student success.

To deliver on our growth targets we need to ensure that we are delivering a portfolio of change and improvement that will make a step change difference to our student’s learning and study experience – improving rates of retention, progression and completion.

The MSQ portfolio team will be critical in ensuring that University wide resources are deployed on initiatives with clear measurable benefits that will contribute to the institutional targets. The team will provide cohesion for the strategy and provide central support to components of the portfolio.

The ideal candidate will have strong relationship-building, communication and analytical skills, and be creative, pragmatic and unafraid to challenge the status quo. They will also be excited about - and motivated by - The Open University’s mission and the opportunity to play a key part in making it happen.

Main Duties

 To track and review student performance and behaviours through a range of sources and provide insight and recommendations for actions to support student success

 To produce written and verbal reports to University Senior / Executive management.

 To work with business partners to develop change strategy roads maps and implementation plans for initiatives within the portfolio

 To review and assess the performance of initiatives within the portfolio and understand the impact they are having on Student retention, progression and retention

 Lead, coach and develop less experienced analysts within the team

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3. Person specification

Education, qualifications and training

Essential:  Degree level education.

Desirable:  Qualification in Lean or Six Sigma methodologies.

Knowledge, work and other relevant experience

Essential:  Experience and knowledge of business performance/ process analysis methodology and techniques.

 Min 5 years in a Business analysis / consultant role, with experience of identifying and delivering business change in a large organisation.

 Experienced in using data and performance metrics to develop insight and identify opportunities for improvement.

Desirable:  Experience of the Higher Education sector.

Personal abilities and qualities

Essential:  Strong IT skills and the ability to use a range of software packages including Microsoft

Office, Project and SharePoint.

 A sound understanding of and a commitment to equal opportunities and diversity.

 Proven leadership skills, including the ability to coach others.

 Excellent communication skills (e.g. executive papers, informal written communications such as blogs, facilitation and presentation skills).

 Relationship building and influencing skills.

 Pragmatic approach to change and project management.

 Demonstrate commitment and ownership of responsibilities.

 Flexibility to accommodate critical requests and changing priorities and work well under pressure.

 Comfortable taking risks and recovering from setbacks.

 Desire to challenge and question appropriately to determine and achieve best outcomes.

 Can quickly grasp business problems and convert into well-expressed requirement statements.

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 Able to quickly establish presence and credibility with stakeholders.

 Evidence of high level of personal performance and desire to improve performance.

4. Role specific requirements e.g. Shift working

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5. About the unit/department

More Students Qualifying

At the core of the ‘Students First’ Strategy is the More Students Qualifying Strategic Priority with a challenging stretch target to improve our retention, progression and completion results and deliver more successful students.

MSQ has set the ambition to:

 Increase the numbers of new students directly registered on Open University modules and qualifications

 Meet targets agreed with the funding bodies in each UK nation on the proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds within the new undergraduate student population, but not to fall below the baseline of 2010/11 proportion.

 Increase the numbers of students achieving or on track to achieve an Open University qualification. This also covers increased module completion and pass rates.

 Close the attainment gap between black and white students, and between disabled and non-disabled students

MSQ encompasses a wide-ranging project portfolio representing significant strategic investment plus further resources involved in Faculty, PVC, Academic Services and Professional Services portfolios on ‘business as usual’ and small initiatives - all focussed on improving student success and ultimately contributing to our institutional targets.

The approach to meeting this objective will include:

 Attracting an increasing number of students to study with the University, both across the UK and around the world.

 Giving faculties clear responsibility for the student experience and student success, with the levers to make changes.

 Increasing the focus on student retention and progression and invest in further improving the quality of student support.

 Improving real-time reporting and analysis of student engagement and retention in order to better support students.

 Delivering truly student-focused systems and processes.

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 Refreshing the brand.

 Reviewing the University’s offer, explore the opportunities to extend the range of formal qualifications and move into new markets where the University can compete effectively.

 Improving marketing effectiveness.

 Involving the student and alumni community in recruiting and supporting students.

6. How to obtain more information about the role or application process

If you would like to discuss the particulars of this role before making an application please contact Steve Clark, Director of Student Success on 01908 659928 or email: [email protected]

If you have any questions regarding the application process please e-mail FBL-Recruitment

7. The application process and where to send completed applications

How to Apply: Complete the application form

The application form has been designed to give the information needed at this initial stage.

Covering letter

Write a covering letter indicating why you are interested in this post and how you believe your knowledge experience and skills meet the Person Specification.

Please use the essential and desirable items listed in the person specification as subtitles within your letter. In writing your letter, examine carefully the description of the role and analyse how your skills, knowledge and experience match with the requirements set out in the person specification.

Please pick out specific examples from your experience which clearly demonstrate that you have the particular knowledge and capabilities required in the person specification.

e-mail your application to:

Please ensure that your application reaches the University by:

Your completed application should be returned electronically to [email protected]

Midday on Wednesday, 30 November 2016.

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8. Selection process and date of interview

The interviews will take place on: Interviews are planned for week beginning 12 December 2016 at Milton Keynes but this date may be changed if operationally required. Please also note that occasionally there may be a need for second interview.

We will let you know as soon as possible after the closing date whether you have been shortlisted for interview. Further details on the selection process will also be sent to shortlisted candidates. Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.