Job Description

Purpose Coventry University Recruitment and Admissions Ltd (CURA) is building a new approach to student recruitment to achieve stretching student recruitment targets while establishing strategies that position Coventry University Group as a dominant local, national and international recruiter.

The Senior Admissions Specialist is responsible for ensuring that the admissions teamwork to establishes processes and procedures in order that the Coventry University Group to deliver an effective admissions service.

The Senior Admissions Specialist is responsible for ensuring the development and delivery of key aspects of UCAS good practice including fraudulent applications, plagiarism and defined procedures and deadlines in support of admissions practice. The post holder will support staff in providing a first-class service to applicants and stakeholders ensuring that the turn-around times, accuracy levels and customer service standards are met with the aim of nurturing applicants to new students.

Core Accountabilities and Responsibilities

• To ensure that the day-to-day processing work of staff making decisions on applications is consistent and within agreed timescales and according to policies and practices. And to provide day-to-day support and quality assessment of those decisions to ensure parity and consistency. Take responsibility for key admissions activities throughout the year on behalf of stakeholders.

• To project-manage and take responsibility for key admissions tasks and activities throughout the year on behalf of the Group, liaising with internal stakeholders and external agencies as appropriate. This includes regular liaison with the UCAS HEP Team and nominated Group staff.

• To oversee and lead the completion of designated admissions activity throughout the cycle that follows internal and external processes such as ODLs, plagiarism and fraud and criminal convictions processes, liaising directly with the UCAS Verification Service and nominated stakeholders.

• On a day-to-day basis make certain that all work carried out by admissions staff is completed according to office protocol ensuring that turnaround times, accuracy levels and customer standards are met. Assist with all aspects of the preparation and delivery of the UCAS Confirmation process on behalf of the Group. Oversee the day-to-day delivery of the Admissions Specialist during this period who manages the processing of RPA and offers an outstanding decision. Be seen as the first senior point of reference by the Team in terms of borderline decisions and application/enquirer queries.

• To ensure that admissions staff work towards and achieve designated KPIs as agreed and assist in the monitoring targets and systems in line with the guidance provided by UCAS and general good practice guidelines.

• Liaise with UCAS to ensure that the University\'s UG and PG course offer is accurately published and promoted and that all changes are accurately communicated. Liaise with Academic Registry, Marketing and External Affairs and the Planning Office to ensure that internal course set-up for UG and PG provision is correct, all changes are actioned, and any issues are resolved. This includes discontinued courses, course title changes, and the set-up of new courses.

• Contribute to the management of a dedicated UK admissions budget and where appropriate identify individual project costs and negotiate with suppliers to achieve the best return on investment in conjunction with line managers and the Operations Director.

• Under the request and guidance of the Admissions Manager ensure that the admissions team produces statistical reports using University and external systems to provide detailed management information to support admissions work as required.

• Provide training to staff within the Coventry University Group, covering subjects such as admissions systems, UCAS guidelines and good practice, University admissions protocol, UK- wide qualifications and general office policies and procedures as required. Keep abreast of changes and developments within the sector and provide updates to staff as necessary.

• Deliver a seamless customer care service to prospective students and internal stakeholders using a variety of communication methods to provide specialist support, information, advice and guidance.

• Support the Admissions team and when required, provide expert admissions advice to colleagues across the Group.

• Represent the Group at internal and external events, such as UCAS conventions, Open Days, interview days, Partnership events and occasionally school events as required. Contribute to the delivery of these events when required.

AND such other duties as are within the scope and spirit of the role.

SPECIFICATION ESSENTIAL

• Degree (or equivalent).
• Significant experience of working within an Admissions environment in higher education.
• Evidence of working well whilst dealing with multiple priorities and working in a demanding environment to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrable experience in working within a strong customer-focused environment.
• Experience in supervising staff (projects or line management)
• Ability to set and work to performance targets.
• Ability to contribute towards the development and implementation of systems/processes to bring continuous improvements to the services provided.
• Ability to work with the minimum of supervision but have awareness as to when to seek guidance or refer upwards.
• Exceptional organisational and planning abilities. Report writing skills.
• Outstanding communication and influencing skills.
• Able to maintain effectiveness under pressure. Ability to inspire and motivate people.
• Self-starter with a creative approach to problem-solving.
• A flexible approach to hours of work within a 5/7 working pattern to include evenings and weekends, as required.
• Accept that there will be annual leave restrictions at key recruitment and admissions periods.
• A willingness to travel for work associated with the role as required.

ADVANTAGEOUS

• Postgraduate/Professional Management qualification
• Higher education admissions processing supervision
• Experience in organising staff training.
• Experience in producing statistical information through regular reporting