Job Description

Assistant Manager - People Services ( Job Number: 23001999 )
HR & OD
Grade 6: - \xc2\xa329,605 - \xc2\xa336,024 per annum
Fixed Term - Full Time
Contract Duration : 1 year
Contracted Hours per Week : 35
Working Arrangements : Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week. Hybrid arrangements are in place with a requirement to work at least two days in the office
Closing Date : 12-Dec-2023, 5:59:00 PM
Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement : Not Applicable.


The University At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting \xe2\x80\x93 Durham is a university like no other. Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here The Role and the Department People are the most important asset of Durham University, and our HROD Department is pivotal in ensuring that we attract, recruit, develop, reward and retain the very best talent from across the world into our University community. Building on our bold and ambitious University Strategy, a key role of HR is to secure the University\xe2\x80\x99s strategic aim, \xe2\x80\x98to be a world leading employer\xe2\x80\x99 by ensuring that our staff can reach their full potential. The HROD Department plays a lead role in creating a working environment for our staff (and potential staff) which is supportive, stimulating and informative which provides for creative and innovative employment practices and opportunities. Our aim is to make sure that Durham University is a great place to work. University is a great place to work. Our Goals We will:

• Oversee a workforce which can effectively and efficiently deliver the University Strategy;

• Attract, retain and reward the very best talent for every role in the University;

• Develop colleagues at every level to ensure that staff are supported to realise their potential and understand their contribution to the University\xe2\x80\x99s goals;

• Make sure that the University has an increasingly diverse workforce and that all staff are demonstrably valued, engaged and treated equally and fairly; and

• Promote the well-being of all of our workforce.

Reporting to the Senior Manager, People Services, the Assistant Manager, will provide oversight and supervision of HR activities within the HR People Services Team. The post holder will be responsible for ensuring the accurate processing of changes on HR systems, ensuring that all activities are completed accurately within the necessary timeframe, in accordance with policy, and that complete up to date records are maintained in accordance with legislation. The post holder is required to deliver and lead a first class, people focussed service to managers and members of staff Working at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:

• 27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year \xe2\x80\x93 a total of 39 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On site nursery is available and access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16 throughout the year.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
• We offer generous pension schemes.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University\xe2\x80\x99s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It\xe2\x80\x99s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role
What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.

Your application should cover the following criteria: Essential Criteria Qualifications/Experience 1. Five GCSE\xe2\x80\x99s at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics (or equivalent experience). 2. Evidence of personal development to maintain professional skills and knowledge. 3. Experience of providing advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues. 4. Experienced service provider with knowledge and expertise used to contribute to the delivery and development of services, events and activities within the organisation. 5. Experience of implementing policy and procedures and involvement with future changes for a service area. 6. Experience of supervising/managing a team and/or a line management qualification. 7. Experience of an end-to-end recruitment and selection processes and techniques in all levels of recruitment including high volume recruitment campaigns. Skills/Abilities/Knowledge 8. Exceptional attention to detail 9. Good organisation and prioritisation skills and the ability to work to strict deadlines 10. Ability to effectively network and exchange advice and information for development purposes. 11. Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally 12. Proven IT skills, including use of Microsoft Office and experience of using HR Systems 13. Professional HR practitioner, ideally with Payroll and Recruitment knowledge and experience Desirable criteria

• Hold a HR related professional qualification

• Experience in using an e-recruitment system

• The candidate would ideally have knowledge in dealing with UKVI

• An understanding of recruitment in Higher Education

How to apply To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence. Please don\xe2\x80\x99t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above). While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview. Submitting your application
We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails

What you are required to submit:

• A CV
• A covering letter or statement which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification

Contact details
If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, the People Services Senior Manager, Lucy Haworth (lucy.haworth@durham.ac.uk) would be happy to speak to you.
Typical Role Requirements Service Delivery

• Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, the University\xe2\x80\x99s values and a continuous improvement approach.

• Ensure that any procedures and expectations that apply throughout the University are reflected in all aspects of the service provided by the team and adapt ways of working where this is not evident.

• Provide specialist advice and resolve problems relating to the People Services activities you are responsible for.

• Use your experience and problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve issues relevant to your role and make recommendations based on your findings.

• Manage numerous processes including flexible and casual engagement and the fixed term contract process, ensuring high quality and timely service to all stakeholders including prospective, existing and past members of staff and students.

• Manage, maintain and monitor designated systems to ensure safety, security and compliance with internal University and external regulations, policies and procedures.

• Provide the best possible service to staff, students and others who you work with delivering an excellent stakeholder experience in relation to all People Services activities and by reviewing and making suggestions to improve the service.

• Collect and record data and information accurately and provide reports to key stakeholders in the process or service.

• Implement any changes or processes to ensure the accuracy and integrity of data and information and the effective and efficient running of HR processes and systems.

Planning and Organisation

• Plan and organise own workload.

• Plan and organise operational activities carried out by the team which you are responsible for.

• Implement and monitor protocols, procedures, processes and regulations.

• Manage and organise professional business and administrative service processes, staff and/or resources to achieve defined targets and outcomes.

Team Development

• Supervise team members and any other people/resources that are assigned to you and provide an initial response to any related HR issues, referring more complex issues to the Senior People Services Manager.

• Explain systems and procedures to induct new starters into the team and provide specialist advice and guidance including any training.

• Allocate and monitor work activities for your team.

• Contribute to performance review processes by providing feedback on individual and team objectives and expectations and considering any development needs.

• Ensure team members are aware of the importance of accuracy and the impact of incorrect data, providing support and training where necessary.

Communication/Liaison

• Develop and improve services by taking part in meetings, working groups and committees.

• Create good working relationships, including internal and external networks which allow you to increase your knowledge and skills, while swapping information with peers.

• Build relationships with key stakeholdersto share good practice, exchange information and work together on joint initiatives.

• Use a range of digital media and tools to communicate with a diverse range of key stakeholders, both verbally and in written format who may need to access information across different geographic and time zones.

• Any other reasonable duties.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data. SECONDMENT
The post is full time fixed term for a one year period and may be offered on an internal secondment basis subject to the agreement of the current line manager. When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.