Senior Admissions Officer

Applications are invited for the above permanent, full time role in the University’s central Admissions Team.
Educated to degree level, the post-holder will be responsible for leading and reporting on the assessing and processing all UK student applications (UG, PG, non-Graduating) against defined criteria, in compliance with Bangor University regulations and policies, to establish eligibility for offers of admission to appropriate programmes of study. The post-holder will also be responsible for organising and coordinating interviews for select courses (where necessary) and will be expected to represent the admissions team at on campus events which will involve some evening and weekend work.
The successful candidate will be expected to commence as soon as reasonably possible.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post.
This role will be located on campus at Bangor. Through our Dynamic Working framework, there will also be the option to spend some time working remotely (although remaining in the UK) to support work life balance, which will be discussed further with candidates at interview. Applications will also be considered to carry out this role on a job share basis.
Applications will only be accepted via our on-line recruitment website, jobs.bangor.ac.uk. However, in cases of access issues due to disability, paper application forms are available by telephoning 01248 383865.

Closing date for applications: 20th June 2023

Committed To Equal Opportunities

Purpose of the Job

The UK admissions team is the central Professional Service department within Bangor University which receives and co-ordinates the processing of all UK applications for study at Bangor University. The home admissions team processes and issues offers of admission to all UK Undergraduate, Postgraduate and non-graduating applicants. The department sits within the Marketing, Communications and Recruitment section of Professional Services. Staff within the Admissions Office also liaise and work closely with admissions-related colleagues in the academic Colleges and Schools. This role would be responsible for leading on the processing of Undergraduate and Postgraduate applications for the specific subject areas assigned and reporting on this regularly to the UK Recruitment Manager and the relevant School/College. This will include organising and overseeing interviews for specific courses. The role will also be responsible for the line management of a small team of Admissions Officers and Admissions Support Officers.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• To line manage and train as required Admissions Officers/Support Officers within the team.
• To lead on the reporting of admissions data to the Schools/College for which the Officer is assigned.
• Responsible for training the Admissions Tutors within the Schools/College for which the Officer is assigned.
• Responsible for regularly updating the Heads of School and Admissions Tutors on developments within Admissions policies/procedures/systems.
• To organise and oversee the interview process for applicants as and where necessary.
• To conduct qualification checks on all applications and evaluate the standard, non-standard and non-UK qualifications in order to establish eligibility for admissions.
• To make decisions for undergraduate and postgraduate (taught) applicants against defined criteria where necessary.
• Issuing formal offers as appropriate, in a timely manner and co-ordinating the rejection of applications.
• Work with Schools to assess eligibility for any referred undergraduate and postgraduate (taught) applicants, followed by formal offers as appropriate, in a timely manner.
• Work with academic Schools to assess eligibility for postgraduate (research) applications, followed by issuing of formal offers as appropriate, in a timely manner.
• To acquire up-to-date expertise and knowledge on global education systems, providing accurate, up-to-date information and guidance on UK, EU and international qualifications to all enquirers.
• Ensure that the University’s admissions system data is accurately updated.
• To contribute to annual updating of systems, processes and documentation as required for the processing of offers of admission.
• To participate in the ongoing testing and development of databases and systems (e.g. Banner upgrades and development to accommodate changes in UCAS systems and processes, the Direct Applications system), if required.
• Engage with the annual Confirmation and Clearing activities and support university-wide events (eg Open Days/Offer Holder Days, Registration and Graduation), as required.
• Undertake other duties commensurate with the grade and nature of the role.
• Provide cross-section support on events and activities in relation to UK recruitment including attending open and offer holder days. This will involve working some evenings and weekends.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities.
• The post holder will be expected to comply with the University equal opportunities policies, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Policy and the Welsh Language Standards.
• The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for him/her self and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by his/her actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.
• The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their posts.

Person Specification

Qualifications/Training

Essential

• Degree or equivalent or significant relevant experience.

Desirable

• Evidence of continuing professional development.

Experience/Knowledge

Essential

• Experience of work associated with the HEI admissions processes and an understanding of the applicant cycles (UG UCAS and PG). 
• Knowledge of HEI Student Records / Information Management Systems (e.g. Banner).
• Experience of supervising or managing teams to deliver results.
• Experience of problem solving at a senior level.
• Proven record of working within a busy office /administrative environment at a similar level
• Substantial experience of working with complex information management systems and/or databases.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel etc).
• Experience of working in compliance with regulations and documented processes and procedures.

Desirable

• Experience of working within a Higher Education Institution (HEI) environment or similar.
• Experience of using UCAS and/or the University’s Direct Applications system.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, e.g. GDPR, CMA, disability, health and safety at work, etc.
• Experience of developing and implementing administrative systems and procedures.
• Knowledge of HEI Student Records / Information Management Systems (e.g. Banner).
• Experience of systems and process development

Skills/Abilities

Essential

• A positive ‘can do’ attitude.
• Highly accurate data entry skills and a high level of attention to detail.
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to handle a varied and demanding workload, to meet deadlines.
• Proven ability and willingness to quickly learn new systems, processes and procedures.
• Analytical and problem solving skills, incorporating creative thinking. • Ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to work independently and demonstrate initiative and also a team player to contribute to a positive working environment.
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and inter-personal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and confidently with a wide range of people from different backgrounds and cultures, developing effective relationships with colleagues across the Institution.
• Ability to respond positively to change and contribute to successful change implementation.
• Ability to be proactive and identify and recommend changes for improvement where appropriate.

Other

Desirable

• The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If applicants are not able to speak / write in Welsh at present, there are many opportunities to learn if the successful candidate wishes to do so.

General

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds.  We strive to develop a workforce from all sections of the community regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language through our progressive Welsh Language Policy. We comply with the Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity. You are welcome to apply for any job in English or Welsh and all applications submitted will be treated equally. 

We are a member of Advance HE’s Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Bronze award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University’s policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. 

All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact. 

All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.  

We have a legal responsibility to ensure that you have the right to work in the UK before you can start working for us.  When you apply for this post you will be required to explain the basis upon which you believe you will able to live and work in the UK legally on the commencement date of the role should your application be successful.   If you do not have the right to work freely in any position in the UK already, any offer of employment we will make to you will be subject to you obtaining a right to work visa.   The following link provides information on the various visa routes into employment and the eligibility requirements (including switching visa status where permissible) https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas .   If you are successful in your application we will discuss visa options with you at the time of making the offer of employment.      

Please note that, in the event of applications being received from candidates on the University’s Redeployment Register with a reasonable skills match to the post specification, these applicants will be given prior consideration.