Student Number Planning Manager Fixed term (18 months)

Birmingham City University is a diverse and inclusive learning community of over 31,400 students from more than 120 countries, recognised as one of the UK's Top 250 employers. We are committed to providing a transformational educational experience, supporting world-class research, and fostering a collaborative and supportive working environment.

We are looking for an experienced and analytical Student Number Planning Manager to join Birmingham City University on an 18-month fixed-term contract.

The post holder will be responsible for overseeing student number forecasting and in-year student number reporting, ensuring that information is accurate, timely and supports the University's planning and budgeting requirements. You will manage the collection of student recruitment targets and student progression modelling, which will support the University's student income model and budget. You will also manage a small team of reporting specialists who produce in-year reports covering enrolment and attrition against key performance indicators.

A key part of the role will be developing and improving student number planning products and scenario modelling to help the University respond to changes in student demand, demographics and Government policy. You will work closely with colleagues across the University, including Academic Schools, Marketing, Recruitment and Communications, Finance and other professional services areas.

Main Activities and Responsibilities:

- 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:

- 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.

Desirable Criteria:

- 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 system.
- Experience of negotiating and influencing colleagues and stakeholders.

Benefits:

- 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.

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