Systems Support and Reporting Officer Birmingham 2023

Working within Registry’s Student Data Management team the postholder’s main responsibilities will be to develop and maintain a suite of student and curriculum management information reports and produce data and analysis that supports the operational needs of the University and help inform decision making.

Additionally they will be responsible for primary user support for the University’s Student Record System (Banner), and other student and associated systems. This will involve working effectively with colleagues across the University to understand reporting requirements, analyse data and systems issues, scope system fixes and enhancements, liaise with IT development teams, undertake user acceptance testing and provide guidance to those using the systems.

Main duties

• To develop and maintain a suite of Business Object, Power BI and Access reports used internally across the University and for reporting to external bodies. This will involve working with users to fully scope content and presentational requirements and to then build and refine appropriate reports that best meet requirements whilst adhering to data protection legislation.
• To use and develop specialist reporting software, systems and processes in order to provide data and analysis for a range of internal stakeholders to support institutional processes, projects and decision-making
• To provide expert guidance to stakeholders to support the efficient and effective use of the Student Records System.
• Analyse the root causes of student and curricula data or system issues, where appropriate, and to then implement both short term solutions and recommend longer term fixes.
• Undertake system development tasks including, but not limited to, analysis of risks and opportunity for stakeholders, scoping requirements, liaison between the Business and IT and formal testing.
• Provide technical administrator support as required for student and associated systems used within the service
• Continue to develop skills and knowledge of University systems and other relevant software in order to best support changing data requirements of internal or external reporting needs
• Promotes equality and values diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
• Supports the University’s sustainability agenda through resource efficient working.
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade.

Required knowledge, skills, qualifications and experience

• Educated to Degree level (or equivalent qualifications) - where no equivalent qualification is held, significant practical relevant experience and expertise in a similar role will be required
• Extensive experience and a good working knowledge of a Student Record System (preferably Ellucian’s Banner) or other large scale data management systems.
• Excellent IT skills and have proven specialist experience of creating reports in Business Objects, Power BI or other reporting tools as well as using spreadsheet and database packages to manipulating complex datasets.
• Evidence of literacy and numeracy, with the ability to write clearly, and to analyse information and data.
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.

Role context

Roles at this level will require expertise and a detailed understanding of methods, systems and procedures in an administrative or professional area. You will either use specialist knowledge or have more of a planning/co-ordination/project role or a role which is supervisory in nature where you may manage a team doing similar kinds of work. You will have the opportunity to exercise a high degree of personal responsibility and initiative which you will use to resolve queries; you will use your judgement to deal with unforeseen problems and circumstances, all with limited guidance/supervision.

Roles at this at this level will require proven specialist knowledge of technical, IT or scientific practices, methods and procedures gained through either experience and/or formal qualification and this knowledge should be deployed in the provision of a range of high-level technical support activities. You will have the opportunity to exercise a high degree of personal responsibility and initiative which you will use to resolve issues; you will use your judgement to deal with unforeseen problems and circumstances, all with limited guidance/supervision.

Core competencies/transferable skills

Working at this level you will be able to develop and successfully use the core competencies/transferable skills outlined in each of the areas shown below. As appropriate for the level, our Birmingham Professionals will take ownership for getting things done. You will be expected to be flexible as required in supporting your department and wider University.

Planning and organising

• Prioritise and schedule work and resources to ensure on time and (where applicable) on budget delivery;
• Set priorities and quality standards for a wide range of tasks and duties;
• Contribute to written documents, for example guidelines internal to the area, taking account of audience;
• Operate with limited supervision as they will have considerable scope for initiative, within established work procedures.

Problem solving and decision making

• Anticipate and identify issues in own area based on experience;
• Make appropriate suggestions for improvements and implement these when agreed in own area;
• Facilitate change, and articulate the implications and benefits of change to others;
• Focus on determining short-term priorities of work area, and how to maximise quality, efficiency and continuity.

Organisational understanding

• Quickly develop an understanding of their working area and how it contributes to the success of the University.
• Display an interest in how the University operates beyond own working area; develop and share this knowledge with others.

Relationships and communication

• Develop and maintain excellent working relationships in own area, and more widely as required for collaborative working opportunities;
• Communicate clearly and openly with others both within and external to the University, and use a range of communication skills and strategies to gain commitment to a course of action;
• Analyse problems and summarise the key points to others, including non-specialist staff
• Demonstrate collaborative working at all times, including with others outside the immediate work area.