DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC INSIGHTS AND PLANNING Candidate Information Pack

derby.ac.uk Director of Strategic Insights and Planning Candidate Information Pack derby.ac.uk

WELCOME I am delighted that you are considering applying for this role at the University of Derby.

At Derby we have worked to build a powerful regional university that addresses the needs of our students, the region and beyond. Recognised by The Guardian as a Top 30 university and the Times Higher Education as one of the Top 250 young universities in the world, our reputation for delivering excellence in learning, teaching and for producing high-calibre graduates with the skills that businesses require, continues to grow.

Our 2018-2030Strategic Framework, launched in June 2018, signalled a new chapter for our University. It has provided staff and stakeholders with clarity over our direction of travel and raised the bar in terms of our institutional ambitions. Embedding high performance in everything we do and a step change in the way we operate is already generating strong results and outcomes.

A recent change in response to this was to revise the Executive structure in the form of a reconfigured Vice-Chancellor’s Executive (VCE) and a newly formed Performance & Governance Delivery Group (PGDG).

The newly configured structure and the roles within it provide greater synergies across the University, better enabling innovation and excellence and to maximise the collaborative working that is so essential to the future success of the University. Additionally, the change responds to messages in the external environment and the need to continuously reflect and improve on performance as well as ensuring high standards of integrity, transparency and governance.

Furthermore, as the only university in our city and county we take seriously our civic responsibilities, working in partnership to improve the health, education and wellbeing of our community and have reaffirmed this commitment by pledging to develop a Civic University Agreement.

As a result, our new Director of Strategic Insights and Planning will be joining us at a time of real momentum and positive change, where we look to build on an efective University-wide approach to planning, performance and programme management.

We are an ambitious University on an upwards trajectory, with exciting plans for the future, and therefore need a Director of Strategic Insights and Planning with the knowledge, experience and leadership qualities to drive forward a high performing team, while ensuring a broad range of activities and initiatives that support institutional decision-making.

Thank you for your interest and time.

Russ Langley Chief Performance Officer

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THE UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY GUIDE 2020 Recently recognised by The Guardian as a Top 30 institution in the UK and the Times Higher Education as one of the Top 250 Ranked 26th in The Guardian University Guide 2020 universities in the world, Derby has built a strong reputation for delivering a frst-rate student experience and producing graduates who meet the needs of today’s employers. Our TEF Gold rating is testament to this.

The University of Derby is a modern, innovative education provider that achieved its University status in 1992. Teaching at the Derby site actually dates back to 1851, when it was a Diocesan Institution for training teachers, so we have over 160 years of expertise TOP 20 in education. FOR TEACHING We have since become a University of frst choice for students who want a caring, aspirational environment where they can equip themselves for the career they choose. QUALITY Our signifcant investment in world class facilities is building on our reputation for student-focused real-world learning in an increasingly competitive sector. Ranked 13th in the Times and Sunday Times During the last fve years we have invested over £150 million in facilities designed to give students the very best possible learning environment. We have more investment Good University Guide 2019 planned and continue to develop teaching to be innovative, stimulating and engaging.

Recent investments in facilities include: • £12 million STEM Centre including facilities for mechanical testing, robotics and an anechoic chamber. • State-of-the-art £10.8 million sports centre. • Immersive Interactive Simulation Suite, the only one of its kind in a University outside London. TOP 10 • Forensic Training Facility with a dedicated crime scene house. • Dedicated fashion and textiles facility at Chandos Pole Street. FOR STUDENT • Industry-standard Bloomberg Financial Markets Lab. SATISFACTION WITH TEACHING AND FEEDBACK

The Guardian University Guide 2020

None of our waste is sent to Accredited landfill. If it can’t be recycled it’s Fairtrade turned into University energy

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THE CITY Derby: a professional, welcoming city

Derby is a city with promising job prospects and a resilient economy which is good news for graduates. It’s also a friendly and afordable city that has a passion for sport, a growing cultural scene and breathtaking countryside on its doorstep.

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OUR FUTURE We have recently launched our Strategic Framework which provides the foundations and direction on which to plan, perform and succeed in a changing and globally dynamic environment between now and 2030. Developed in consultation with staf, students and stakeholders, the Framework has a simple promise at its heart; everything the University does is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for the students, staf and region.

The Framework is designed to allow us to be fexible and adaptable to the changing environment in which we operate. Producing a long-term strategy during a period of unprecedented change, not only in the sector but politically, socially and economically, creates a challenge but many opportunities. The University is ambitious for our students, staf and region knowing what is right for students today may not be for tomorrow and getting this right is most important for our future success.

The Framework is supported by three ‘pillars’: Game Changers • Students will set their aspirations high, think beyond the obvious and have the ingenuity, curiosity and enterprise to succeed • Industry-relevant and research-informed curriculum • High quality learning environment • Modern learning methods • Range of opportunities

Positive Impact • Research, knowledge creation and innovation are focused on making a practical, positive diference to people’s lives close to home and around the world • Raising aspirations / developing skills across the region • Positioning Derby on the global stage • Driving the economic, social, cultural, educational and environmental prosperity of their home

Opening Doors • A champion of social mobility, frmly believing in the transformational nature of education • Creating opportunities for all across the region • Something on ofer for whatever stage of life or career • Pioneer for online, blended and virtual learning • Global outlook

We have a long-standing reputation for teaching excellence of which we are extremely proud and now is the time to build further on this, through more focused and integrated applied research.

Opportunities are a core element of our academic approach – not only in terms of delivering these, but through a culture of curiosity and drive instilled in students and staf to seek and create their own. We are proud to be the only University in the city and county as this enriches connectivity within the region, but as importantly, we relish the civic responsibilities this brings.

This is an ambitious University with purpose, positivity and confdence in what we are going to accomplish over the next 10 years.

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OUR PEOPLE VISION

At Derby, the People Vision is based on the simple belief that if we attract the right people, motivate them and provide development in a supportive, friendly performance-focused environment, then together we will enjoy continuing success. We believe that this is the ultimate people business and great emphasis is placed upon engaging with colleagues and customers.

This will be achieved by putting the University’s values at the heart of everything we do and by being a ‘values-led’ organisation. This means that, in striving to realise our strategic ambitions, we place as much value on how we do things as on what we do. Our values form the bedrock of our approach:

• Value People • Bold • Future Focused • Brilliance

The University wants all students, staf and stakeholders to be delighted by their experience, proud of their achievements and become active promoters of the University. Continuing to do this has given us a clear and positive signature and a defnite edge in the new HE marketplace. Moreover, we are committed to providing all staf with excellent career and personal development opportunities, together with a total rewards philosophy based on providing competitive, afordable, fexible packages that recognise performance.

For more information on the Corporate Plan and Values please see: derby.ac.uk/about/strategic-framework

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THE STRATEGIC INSIGHTS AND PLANNING DEPARTMENT

The Director of Strategic Insights and Planning is a newly- established role, which will join a department which has undergone a significant transformation over the past 12 months. A senior role reporting directly into the Vice-Chancellor’s Executive (VCE), the Director will lead the Strategic Insights & Planning (SIP) team and Change & Portfolio Management Ofce (CPMO); covering all aspects of business and student number planning, performance monitoring, HE policy and horizon scanning, BI and MI infrastructure and reporting, risk management and business continuity, and programme management.

The Director will provide visible cross-University leadership to promote and embed a planning and performance-led culture aligned to the University’s Strategic Framework. You will hold overall responsibility for ensuring the University is best placed to deliver against its ambitions through informed decision making underpinned by a robust business planning cycle and strong data infrastructure.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and infuential individual with a passion for planning, data and insights and a talent for driving strategic change to make a signifcant contribution to a developing and ambitious University.

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JOB DESCRIPTION Principal Accountabilities

Strategic Planning 13. Working with the Finance and Registry teams, develop and manage the predictive model for student number targets, DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC 1. Accountable for efective planning across the institution, including fnancial implications, to inform business planning providing information and advice to senior colleagues on scenarios and resource allocation. strategic planning matters. INSIGHTS AND PLANNING Policy & Insights 2. Develop and co-ordinate an integrated planning cycle and associated processes that support the Vice-Chancellor’s 1. Lead and develop our approach to business intelligence to Executive (VCE) in achieving its strategic priorities, both short- support evidence-based decision making. term and long-term. 2. Provide expert advice and make recommendations to the A senior role reporting directly into the Vice-Chancellor’s Executive 3. Lead the process for setting Institutional Success Measures, leadership team on the basis of sound analysis of both (VCE) which leads the Strategic Insights & Planning (SIP) team working closely with VCE, and ensuring these are institutional and sector student, staf and fnancial data; and Change & Portfolio Management Ofce (CPMO), covering complemented by KPIs in Colleges and Professional Services environmental scanning; modelling; and market intelligence. departments. all aspects of performance monitoring, HE policy and horizon 3. Develop and manage analyses to inform recruitment and scanning, BI and MI infrastructure and reporting, risk management 4. Develop and embed and efective approach to co- retention strategies and support continuous review and ordinating monitoring and reporting of performance, both refnement of the institution’s academic portfolio, including and business continuity, and programme management. at an institutional and local level, providing the necessary competitor and benchmark analysis. assurance to the Vice-Chancellor’s Executive and Governing 4. Develop and manage analyses of externally produced The Director will lead the development and implementation of an efective University- Council. wide approach to planning, performance and programme management, providing indicators (e.g. league tables, National Student Survey) and leadership and direction on a broad range of activities and initiatives that support 5. Review College and Professional Services strategic and produce internal briefngs on performance in the sector. operational plans to ensure alignment with University institutional decision-making and ensure the University is best-placed to deliver against 5. Prepare briefngs on HE and FE policy and anticipated priorities and objectives, reporting to VCE any issues arising. the aims and ambitions outlined in its 2018-30 Strategic Framework. impacts on University of Derby. 6. Work closely with senior colleagues to ensure all plans are 6. Through horizon scanning and keeping abreast of The post-holder must be a strategic thinker, planner, analyst and infuencer, with the delivered in a consistent, high quality format which best developments in the sector, present key facts and fgures necessary leadership quality to embed a high performance culture across the teams. supports strategic and fnancial decision making. about University of Derby to support strategic developments. 7. Provide regular reports and presentations to VCE on 7. Develop University of Derby’s critical analytical capability in University performance, leading on monitoring and order to enhance understanding of its markets and profle, evaluating progress and operational efectiveness. enabling the institution to make informed strategic and policy 8. Oversee the regular review of short and long-term plans decisions which build on existing strengths and develop new supporting delivery against the Strategic Framework, ones. This will include delivering a rigorous assessment of proactively feeding in insights in the form of, for example, markets and competitor developments Government policy, sector developments, risk and mitigation, 8. Lead a comprehensive programme of institutional research and options appraisals. and analysis targeted to support strategy development and 9. Provide appropriate statistical analysis and insights to policy making. support the ongoing management and enhancement of Risk Management academic quality and standards, the student journey and institutional performance. 1. Lead the development and monitoring, maintenance and review of Derby’s risk management strategy and the risk 10. Lead the implementation and ongoing management of an register. integrated, University-wide approach to Business Intelligence which is underpinned by a programme supporting improved 2. Facilitate the development of a more efective risk data literacy, and efective management of data quality and management culture throughout the Institute by leading governance. and co-ordinating the management of risk management processes including recommendations for change and 11. Work in liaison with senior colleagues particularly in HR, improving risk. Finance and Registry to manage the University’s reporting obligations to key external agencies, ensuring returns are 3. Ensure that risks spanning the institution are identifed from delivered in a timely and accurate manner underpinned by the strategic planning process and managed efectively. robust internal delivery and approvals processes. 12. Lead responsibility for the overall framework for the provision of data and management information and its accuracy, including the ongoing development of management information systems to ensure they are ft for purpose and can underpin robust strategic planning and forecasting.

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Change & Portfolio Management Person Specification 1. Provide oversight to the CPMO, ensuring its activities and approach complement strategic planning and deliver the necessary assurance on key projects to VCE and Governing Essential Criteria Council. Qualifications • Educated to frst degree level and preferably with a master’s 2. Engage and infuence senior colleagues on the CPMO degree in a related subject. function to enable efective implementation and utilisation as part of the broader cultural transformation programme. Experience 3. Working in close liaison with the Head of CPMO, provide • Extensive experience of working in a similar role at a similar regular reports to VCE and Governing Council on projects, level in a higher education setting resource allocation, risk and mitigation. • Strong leadership skills with a track record of managing and developing successful teams, including experience of General Leadership managing change 1. Develop and maintain contacts with relevant sector bodies • Exceptional skills in strategic planning and professional associations, and other HE institutions, • Excellent organisational skills, including a strategic and to ensure optimal delivery and continual improvement of creative approach to planning, problem solving and project approach to all elements of strategic planning. management • Proven written communication and report writing skills, 2. Lead the efective implementation of efective working including the ability to develop policy and communicate practices across SIP, ensuring colleagues adopt continuously policy developments to a variety of audiences, both internal conform to agreed working practices that allow for an and external, and the ability to build consensus among efcient, sustainable and smoothly operating business members of diverse groups analytics service, e.g. project, process and product • The ability to work in efective partnership with leading development documentation maintenance and end user academics, highly motivated professional staf and a broad support practices. range of other stakeholders 3. Represent the University on relevant external groups and successfully contribute to the broader strategic decision Skills, knowledge and abilities making of the University through activity involvement in • A collaborative leadership approach with both the ability relevant groups and committees. to identify and develop talent within an enabling culture and build and manage people and performance to deliver 4. Proactively contribute to the broader leadership of the improvements and enhancement in service quality/reputation University through membership of the Portfolio & Governance List of Employee Benefits* for Leadership roles • Strategic thinker with an innovate approach to problem Delivery Group (PGDG) and relevant University Committees. solving • Either highly developed technical and analytical skills and • Local Government Pension Scheme - Defned Beneft Pension (accrual rate 1/49th) – demonstrable experience of working with large data sets which also includes 3 times life cover, ill health protection and fexible retirement options and associated analysis or solid experience of leading such • Annual Leave – 30 days plus bank holidays and 4 concessionary days and the activities opportunity to participate in the holiday trading scheme • Strong qualitative and quantitative analytical skills and either • Comprehensive single PMI cover with AXA PPP – with Family cover options advanced practical and technical skills in tools such as • Leadership Group additional 3 times life cover Alteryx, Excel, Tableau and Cognos or solid experience of • Flexible benefts at discounted rates leading such activities in order to mobilise organisation data • Dental to drive strategic priorities • Health Assessment • Highly developed communication and inter-personal skills – • Health cash plan written and verbal – with proven ability to engage with and • Cycle to work infuence senior colleagues • Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – confdential help on personal issues – family, • Resilience and the ability to remain calm, professional and fnancial, tax, medical, childcare support and many more focused at all times • Employee discounts at local and national businesses • Deep understanding of the Higher Education sector • On-site gym – low cost membership • Meticulous attention to detail, a highly organised approach • Discounted and sponsored accredited programmes of study for self and partner/children to dealing with work and the capacity to progress a range of *Details on terms and conditions for each benefit can be provided on request tasks and projects at one time

Benefits As well as competitive pay scales, we ofer generous holiday entitlement. We also ofer opportunities for further salary progression based on performance, and the opportunity to join a contributory pension scheme.

For more information on the benefts of working at the University of Derby go to jobs.derby.ac.uk/display.aspx?id=1912&pid=0&tabId=230

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