Scheduler

The Timetabling Unit is the centralised function for the governance, assurance and delivery of programme level timetables and personalised student timetables. The team ensures that the student experience is maximised within the timetable.

This key role will assume responsibility for the delivery of timetables and personalised timetables for allocated programmes. From the point of data gathering, you will work with programme areas to identify curriculum delivery requirements to deliver an excellent service, capturing the details within the timetabling system and identifying the most effective way to represent this information to ensure an efficient student and staff centred timetable.

The role will also include responsibility for the booking of rooms to support non-academic requirements.

Being digitally focussed you will use a range of technologies to support the inter site working of the Registry. You will also be comfortable with using technology to gather information to gain a clear understanding of the requirements. You will have a working knowledge of the wider services of the Registry to enable you to deliver a seamless service to students and staff.

You will be responsible for ensuring data quality within a right first time ethos for all data within your business area, supported by an awareness and understanding of the data processed within your area, particularly data classed as personal or sensitive.

You will support the wider work of the Registry across a range of programmes from FE, UG and PG, providing an excellent student experience and assisting in key University operational activities e.g. enrolment, awards ceremonies, acting as a focus for the central timetabling team for the purpose of delivering personalised timetables to all staff and students, whilst ensuring the best use of all University space and enhancing the student experience. Registry staff may be expected, from time to time, to work in other areas of the Registry, including other sites.

This is a fixed-term role for 18 months.

Principal Accountabilities:

- To be responsible for ensuring that the data within the timetabling system is accurate and up to date at all times by working in continuous collaboration with the Colleges and professional services. This will include continuous audit to ensure accuracy of the timetables and to resolve any omissions or errors on timetabling information with the relevant stakeholders.

- To take a lead on the timetable production process for designated areas, coordinating with academic colleagues to ensure the creation of a timetable that promotes the student experience and optimises space utilisation. The delivered timetable will include classroom based delivery, exams and induction schedules.

- To advise academic staff formulating proposals for new and revised curriculum delivery, ensuring conformity with university norms, practices and policy, and identifying and resolving issues necessary to course scheduling.

- Provide advice on successful course scheduling and delivery patterns, and feedback on academic timetabling to influence future changes to programmes, maintaining a close relationship within the Registry and Colleges. Providing operational advice on the timetabling process and policy, resolving complex enquiries.

- Responsible for all room booking requests, ensuring that all room booking queries are dealt with professionally.

- Responsible for performing the class scheduling process within PeopleSoft, ensuring that the data reflects the timetable provision.

- Responsible for the provision of personalised timetables for all students within allocated areas, ensuring that the student experience is optimised, and that all personalised timetables are available within the stipulated timeframe.

- To maintain a detailed knowledge and understanding of the academic process and University systems, and their alignment with timetabling.

- May be asked to provide line management and associated support for other members of the team.

- Plan, organise and prioritise own workload and provide cover for other members of the team. Using initiative to deal appropriately with changing priorities and situations.

Person Specification — Essential Criteria:

Qualifications: Educated to HND level standard or equivalent significant work-based experience.

Experience: Confidence and successful experience in using software applications, particularly involving the manipulation of complex information; experience of delivering a good customer service to stakeholders and providing advice and guidance to others; experience of understanding and applying data protection requirements.

Skills, knowledge and abilities: Data handling skills, with the ability to collate, verify, analyse and report on complex data; excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to demonstrate tact and diplomacy in dealing with a wide range of contacts both internal and external to the University; ability to take a professional approach and work on own initiative; ability to manage own time and prioritise the work of others in the team effectively as required; ability to adapt and be flexible; ability to understand and apply regulations/rules e.g. GDPR; confident to demonstrate digital competency across a range of technologies, including but not limited to Microsoft Office; excellent organisational skills; creating innovative solutions to problems, addressing the root cause; working collaboratively across boundaries to achieve common goals; a methodical, creative and accurate approach to the handling and collation of data; is a positive role model to the team; able to take responsibility and proactively provide solutions; thinks outside of the box and looks for more efficient ways of doing things; doesn't take things at face value and is confident to question and investigate beyond first impressions; is able to see and consider the bigger picture.

Business requirements: Ability to work outside of normal working hours (including some evenings and weekends), to support the business during key University events, such as Graduation, Clearing and Open Days.

Person Specification — Desirable Criteria:

Qualifications: Educated to degree level; IT qualifications e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, web development etc; Customer Service Qualifications.

Experience: Experience of computerised timetable systems; experience of complex timetabling/scheduling activities within education; experience of working in the Higher Education sector.

Skills, knowledge and abilities: Knowledge of timetabling or scheduling software; ability to assimilate written and verbal information; ability to work in a fast paced environment.

Benefits:

- Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
- Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
- Discounted onsite gym
- Cycle to Work scheme
- A flexible working environment
- A commitment to personal and professional development