PGR Coordinator

The Postgraduate Research (PGR) Coordinator is responsible for the provision of a professional, efficient administrative service, taking responsibility for operational aspects of research programme delivery and other Departmental activities. The post holder will ensure deadlines are met and service delivery standards are maintained, working in accordance with University and Departmental policies and procedures.

The Postgraduate Research Coordinator will support the Director of PGR Studies, ensuring the provision of a professional, efficient administrative service, supporting a wide range of activities from admissions through to graduation, and ensuring PGR student experience is at the forefront of delivery. They will work independently, taking day to day decisions and using their experience and initiative to decide on appropriate courses of action to resolve problems. The post holder will provide support to students including resolving queries and providing information on academic and administrative issues, making referrals to other staff teams as required.

The successful candidate will join a talented and motivated team of professional services staff based in the Department of Biosciences, which is located at the top of the Mountjoy site and is surrounded by ancient woodland with far-reaching views of the Cathedral and beyond.

Service Delivery:
Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values. Ensure that relevant regulatory and professional standards are being used within services being delivered by your team. Help to develop and implement policies and procedures relating to your service area. Respond to queries and provide information/advice, while raising more specialist or complex queries with more experienced team members. Use your experience and problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve issues relevant to your role and make recommendations based on your findings. Continually review what is required from staff, students and others who you work with to make sure the best possible service is provided. Ensure that processes and business systems effectively support the services being delivered by the team. Monitor and analyse the use of equipment and resources to ensure efficiency and report your findings to senior colleagues. Ensure that data is accurate and provide reports and analysis of patterns and trends to senior colleagues. Capture and share information and data that needs to be shared with relevant networks and committees. Use digital media e.g. SharePoint to update team members and colleagues, students and external contacts. Prepare reports for senior managers.

Planning and Organising:
Plan and organise own workload to deliver the role. Organise and schedule assigned resources, activities and events. Monitor processes and activities to ensure team priorities are met. As the Secretary for the Postgraduate Studies Committee, schedule and book meetings and take the minutes.

Teamwork:
Provide specialist support and advice to team members on your areas of expertise. Explain and provide instruction to other team members on how to correctly record and manage data. Make changes to the services provided by your team in discussion with other team members. Identify opportunities and contribute to decisions on how to improve services being delivered by the team. Seek feedback from students, staff and anyone else that you come across as part of your role on their requirements for your service and recommend improvements to senior colleagues.

Communications/Liaison:
Use your knowledge and expertise to provide advice and guidance to resolve problems and respond to a wide range of queries. Provide instruction and demonstrations to others within the Department Professional Support team. Create good working relationships with other team members and anyone else that you come across as part of your role to work together on joint activities. Liaise with central University teams (for example admissions, finance and student support), as well as professional organisations and agencies to ensure that services are being delivered in an efficient and collaborative way. Create good working relationships with internal and external partners and suppliers to work together on joint activities. Build relationships with contacts and contribute to internal and external networks to share good practice and exchange information. Liaise with external suppliers, contractors, specialists and service providers to plan the delivery of services and events.

Essential Criteria:
1. Five GCSEs at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or a Post-16 qualification or equivalent experience.
2. Experience of working in a busy office environment delivering front line administrative services to a high standard.
3. Experience of managing time to meet deadlines and working under pressure without compromising on quality.
4. Experience of providing advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues.
5. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
6. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including Microsoft 365 applications.
7. Ability to solve problems yourself and as part of a team and resolve issues, plan solutions and make pragmatic decisions.
8. Committed to continuing professional development.
9. Ability to participate in networks to share and discuss good practice and exchange information.

Desirable Criteria:
Experience of working in the Higher Education sector. Familiarity with student record systems.

Benefits:
27 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year (total 39 days). Parking across campus, cycle to work scheme, discount with local bus and train companies. Exclusive discounts via benefits portal. On-site nursery rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and holiday camps for children aged 5-16. Health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. Volunteering opportunities. Generous family friendly policies including maternity and adoption leave. Professional development opportunities including qualifications, IT skills, courses and apprenticeships. Generous pension schemes.