Appointment of

Director of Strategy

04 Introduction from the Chief Operating Officer

06 The Vision

08 About the Strategy Directorate

10 Role of the Director of Strategy

16 How to apply

18 Insight into our University

“By pioneering exceptional industry partnerships we will lead the way in real world experiences preparing students for life.”

04 Introduction from the Chief Operating Officer

I am delighted that you are interested in finding out more about the role of Director of Strategy with the University of Salford.We have reached a pivotal moment here at Salford, with the ever changing higher education landscape, both at home and overseas, requiring a new approach in order that we are able to thrive in an increasingly competitive sector. After wide consultation with students, staff, executive, University Council members and external stakeholders we have very recently agreed a new vision through which the University will respond to the challenges we face: ‘By pioneering exceptional industry partnerships we will lead the way in real world experiences preparing students for life’

In our work to achieve this vision we are revamping our approaches to student recruitment and success, employability, enterprise, curriculum development and research. We intend to develop four brand new ‘Industry Collaboration Zones’ that will act as a physical focus for collaboration within the University and with partners in particular industry sectors. This is a bold departure from traditional structures and models of learning but one we feel is vital to ensuring our future sustainability and ability to provide an outstanding experience for our students, staff, and partners alike.

I now seek an exceptional candidate to take on the new role of Director of Strategy. This key role will support the Vice-Chancellor and her Executive Team in the leadership, management and day-to-day operations of the University, creating an environment where strategic development and implementation is at the heart of the University’s business.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an outstanding individual to join us at the start of an exciting journey towards excellence and differentiation. We have built strong foundations and it is now time for the next chapter in Salford’s development. If you feel that this is a challenge that you are ready to undertake, and that you have the skills and abilities required to turn our strategic ambitions into reality then we would be delighted to hear from you.

Vikki GoddardChief Operating Officer

06 The Vision

The Vision

“By pioneering exceptional industry partnerships we will lead the way in real world experiences preparing students for life.”Our vision is short and to the point but makes a bold statement with cross-sector ‘industry’ partnerships linking the University’s heritage and future aspirations. It is ambitious yet designed to be firmly rooted in ‘real world experience’. The phrase ‘preparing students for life’ provides a compelling unifying purpose. In short the vision explains what we want the University to be, how, and why.

In delivering this vision, our sole Strategic Priority has been identified as the creation of four ‘Industry Collaboration Zones’ to act as a physical focus for collaboration within the University and with partners in particular industry sectors. This in turn drives other key initiatives to enable the University’s continued development and success:

• Development of a model for ‘co-creation’ of activity in partnership with students and industry, including student and staff placements and the mainstreaming of ‘live briefs’

• Export of the vision to international markets

• The formation of other, mutually beneficial partnerships and joint projects with a range of external stakeholders across the Manchester City-Region and beyond, especially embracing the Devomanc and Northern Powerhouse opportunities.

The University has just renewed and reassessed its four academic sub-strategies of:

• Academic Growth & Diversity;

• Education & the Student Experience;

• Research & Enterprise;

• Internationalisation;

to ensure that these all enable timely delivery and success of our vision. We are currently working to ensure our infrastructure and resources are aligned for optimal delivery.

The strategy map below sums up our burgeoning plan for delivering our Vision:

‘By pioneering exceptional industry partnerships we will lead the way in real world experiences preparing students for life’

Stakeholder Benefits (to Students, Industry and Staff)

Industry Zones

Enablers

Business

Co-Production People Environment

Engineering Digital Technology Health Sport

08 About the Strategy Directorate

About The Strategy Directorate

Our new and innovative approach to our development, driven by our Vision, requires a focussed team which is led by an energetic and knowledgeable strategic thinker.

The role of the Strategy Directorate will be to lead, enable and facilitate the effective delivery and further development of the University’s objectives, through proactive support and professional advice to the Executive, University Management Team, Schools and Professional Services on their contribution to the University’s vision, supporting strategies and operational plans.

Drawing on political, business and market intelligence both within and out-with the University, the Strategy Directorate will be an exemplar in identifying and implementing strategic opportunities through timely, focussed business intelligence and light-touch, results orientated operational planning.

At this point of formation of the Directorate there will be a significant amount of re shaping and development, combined with the rapid implementation of new, agile models of strategic thinking, development and operation that will support the University in being able to respond rapidly and flexibly to its changing environments.

We envisage the team will lead the University’s activities in the following areas:

Strategic Development: Working closely with the Vice-Chancellor and Executive on the continuing enhancement, delivery and review of the University’s Vision and Strategic Plan to meet our ambitious objectives

Horizon Scanning: Constantly working outside the University to ensure we are up-to-date with the latest trends and policy developments in HE, and bringing these back into the University to enable pro-active engagement at international, national and local levels

Business Intelligence: Ensuring best use of a broad base of business intelligence to support University decision-making and prioritisation, working to deliver an evidence-focussed approach across all activities

Corporate Performance: Providing informed and intelligent performance reporting for Executive and Council to enable focus on those areas most in need of improvement

Strategic Project Management: Ensuring that the University’s strategic programmes and projects are undertaken within a single, straightforward framework that focuses on delivery and return on investment

Operational Planning: Leading the work required to enable the University to agree the contribution being made by each of its business areas to its overall objectives

A major focus for the Directorate will be in its ability to build relationships both across the University and with key external stakeholders, and to influence the University’s impact both within its community and more widely.

10 Role of the Director of Strategy

Role of the Director of Strategy

The Director will support the Vice-Chancellor and Executive Team in the leadership, management and day to day operations of the University, working with the Chief Operating Officer to ensure the contribution of Professional Services to the delivery of corporate objectives.

The Director will lead the support for the design, development, implementation and review of the University’s strategy, ensuring that environmental scanning and analysis, institutional research, planning and performance frameworks are aligned to deliver institutional objectives.

They will be a member of the University Management Team, and have corporate input into University decision making.

Role purpose:

12 Role of the Director of Strategy

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the new Director of Strategy is a role which is critical to the University’s future success. A team player who is adept at building and maintaining relationships, they will ensure that the University is best placed to deliver on its vision and objectives. The ability to influence, to analyse information and to reach concise, relevant evidence-based solutions will form a significant requirement of this role.

Overview:Qualifications:

• A first degree, equivalent professional qualification or experience

• Relevant professional membership or postgraduate qualification.

Background and Experience:

• Successfully led and managed a similar function in a HE Institution

• A demonstrable record in the successful development and management of strategic planning; large scale operational planning; resource planning; business planning and large scale projects

• A demonstrable record of leading and embedding requirements for managing strategy and risk

• A demonstrable record of success in the leadership of environmental analysis and institutional research

• Engaged successfully at Board level on strategic development issues

• Successful leadership of change and application of sound disciplines to strategy and performance management

• A demonstrable record of applying best practice and an inclusive approach to the development of an organization

• A demonstrable record of excellence in the management of external relationships

• A record of excellent leadership and management of people and resources, including substantial matrix management and upward management.

Knowledge:

• A comprehensive range of tools to support the requirements of the role, including business intelligence and information

• The strategic and policy environment in which a University operates

• The dynamics of higher education.

Skills and Competencies:

• The ability to develop and articulate a progressive, innovative and strategic vision for the Strategy Directorate, in support of the aims and activities of the University

• The ability to build strong relationships with a range of stakeholders

• The ability to bring together disparate groups of people and deliver successful outcomes.

Person Specification:

14 Role of the Director of International Business Development

Strategic:

• Create an environment where strategic thinking, innovation and development and their implementation is at the heart of the University’s business

• Lead the development and implementation of flexible frameworks for strategy and planning and analysis and robust interpretation of corporate performance

• Provide Environmental Analysis, an Institutional Research service and scenario planning support that assesses current, and predicts the potential future, strategic direction(s) of the University, thereby enabling responsive Institutional decision making

• Lead the provision of methodologies to support the University’s strategic initiatives and programmes, enabling management of projects

• Embed a culture of critical analysis and interpretation of data and evidence to drive strategic engagement and continuous performance improvement

• Enhance and build relationships with the Vice-Chancellor, Executive and each business area to ensure that they are clear about their contribution to the University objectives and work in partnership to identify and break down barriers to enable the achievement of goals

• Work with colleagues in Communications and Marketing to enable communication of strategies and plans within and outside the University in support of raising brand awareness and reputation

• Lead the University’s approach to risk in a light-touch way that engages across the University and provides an embedded understanding of requirements

• Ensure that there is a robust and proportionate approach to the University’s data assurance policies and procedures to enable a joined-up and optimized outcome.

Operational:

• Work in close collaboration with other Institutional leaders to ensure that service priorities and standards contribute positively to corporate objectives

• Act as the key account manager for relationships with external stakeholders and partners for areas of responsibility

• Ensure that the University’s projects in areas of responsibility are designed, managed and delivered to achieve objectives and benefits realization

• Ensure that there is appropriate provision of services to Schools including regular review of the ‘hub and spoke’ model to ensure effectiveness

• Lead, develop and manage staff within the Directorate to provide a professional working environment that enables and encourages staff to meet their potential

• Ensure that the Directorate operates efficiently, within budget and provides value for money, also initiating and implementing ways of improving efficiency and effectiveness to engender a culture of continuous improvement

• Represent the University externally, strengthening partnerships and collaborations which support and enhance the University’s performance and reputation and ensuring that networks are developed to support continuous improvement

• Work with University staff and students to develop an understanding of their needs to inform and ensure the future development of services and functions

• Benchmark services and service standards against provision within the HE sector and more widely, and identifying and developing best practice

• Deputise for the Chief Operating Officer as appropriate

• Be a member of the University Management Team and contributing to the overall corporate leadership of the University

• Be a member, chair or officer in attendance of appropriate University Committees and Boards, ensuring that the institution exercises control over its affairs

• Perform any other duties appropriate to the grade as may be required

• Comply with the personal health and safety responsibilities specified in the University Health and Safety policy and work with the University’s H&S advisor(s) to ensure that the health and safety of all staff and students across the University is promoted positively

• Engage with the University’s commitment to deliver value for money services that optimize the use of resources by maintaining a cost conscious approach when undertaking all duties and aspects of the role

• Promote equality and diversity for students and staff and sustain an inclusive and supportive study and work environment in accordance with University policy.

This role detail is a guide to the work you will initially be required to undertake. It may be changed from time to time to meet changing circumstances. It does not form part of your Contract of Employment

Responsibilities:

16 How to apply

How to apply

The University of Salford has engaged the services of Dixon Walter to whom applications should be sent by the closing date of Sunday 21st February 2016.

Following a long list meeting of the Selection Panel, shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend preliminary discussions with the Vice Chancellor prior to interview.

To apply for this role, please submit a comprehensive curriculum vitae (CV) together with a covering letter setting out your interest in the role and details of how you match the required criteria.

Please include current salary details and the names and addresses of three referees. Referees will not be approached until the final stages and not without prior permission from candidates.

Applications should be emailed to Mike Dixon at mike@dixonwalter.co.uk quoting reference 1536544 Director of Strategy in the subject line.

Closing date for applications is Sunday 21st February 2016.

Interviews will take place in Salford on Wednesday 9th March 2016.

For an informal discussion regarding this role, please contact Mike Dixon on 0191 500 5500 or 07876 751896

www.dixonwalter.co.uk

18 Insight into our University

Insight into ourUniversity

£80m

The University of Salford is recognized for our international reach and impressive global profile. With a turnover of £186m, our 7 Schools are home to over 20,000 students from 100 countries and our 2,000 staff are dedicated to serving the needs of industry, commerce and education in the interests of both local and global communities.Our links with industry, commercial companies and corporations are stronger than ever; in order to effectively compete in an increasingly competitive market, we want to celebrate our strengths, our successes, our high-profile partnerships and achievements. With sector-leading achievements in widening participation and strategic focus on retention and employability, our commitment to building mutually beneficial relations with business and industry continues to enhance our relevant, real-life proposition.

Investing £55m in a sector leading new home for our Arts

Top 5 in the UK and No.1 in the North West for SME engagement

Top 5 in the QS World Rankings of UK Universities for

Built Environment

HOLDER OF 2 THE AWARDS,

2015

Holder of 2 Top 10 Guardian University Guide 2016 subjects

Investing £80m in new Halls of Residence

The only University with a campus at the award winning

MediaCity UK

Developing 4 brand new Industry Collaboration Zones

£55m

45

The University of Salford is

currently

20 Insight into our University

University of Salford The Crescent Salford, M5 4WT

t: +44 (0)161 295 5000 www.salford.ac.uk