Data & Project Manager, Student Living - Campus Services - 107455 - Grade 7

Job Title: Data and Projects Manager

The Data and Projects Manager plays a pivotal role in driving evidence based decision making and delivering operational improvements across the department. They are responsible for transforming raw data into meaningful insight - explaining why change is needed and then managing the projects that turn those insights into practical, sustained improvements.

The role blends analytical capability with strong project delivery skills, ensuring that initiatives are grounded in robust data and implemented effectively. The post holder will transform raw data from Student Living systems into actionable insights to drive strategy and improvements. Projects will span the wider Student Living team to implement enhancements to a range of residential services, with the aim to provide a first-class experience for students living within our accommodation.

The Data & Projects Manager, Student Living will report to the Head of Business Development, Student Living, and will work closely with colleagues across accommodation and the wider university.

Main Duties

Data collection and analysis

• Lead the collection, interpretation and analysis of data from internal systems (e.g. the accommodation booking system, call centre systems, finance data, student records).
• Communicate complex data in a clear, accessible way for a range of audiences.
• Facilitate workshops, briefings, and meetings to share insights and drive project outcomes.
• Produce Power BI dashboards, reports, and briefings for senior leaders and operational teams.
• To keep abreast with technological enhancements within StarRez, the accommodation management system, as well as other systems and online resources used by Student Living.
• Engage with Strategic Planning to utilise data to influence decision making.
• Support senior leaders in evaluating future service needs and opportunities.
• To contribute to the formulation of operational plans to deliver the strategic aims as set out in the 5 year plan for Student Living.
• Champion the effective use of data systems and digital tools.
• Identify opportunities to automate, streamline, or enhance workflows and support end users with system training and data literacy.

Project Management

• Responsible for delivery of a number of Student Living projects, through the provision of significant and high-level project management support. This may include some or all of the following:
• Identifying suitable projects for development of the Student Living service in order to remain competitive within the sector and ensure the service is attractive and informative to students
• Developing project plans, identifying (as appropriate) key performance indicators and milestones
• Reviewing and auditing progress on projects to identify and act on improvements to effectiveness, efficiency and delivery
• Reporting on progress including the development of reporting mechanisms, writing reports (e.g. on project budgetary management), and presenting to appropriate meetings such as Project Board or to other key stakeholders
• Assessing and escalating as you deem appropriate issues and risks, including monitoring risk registers
• Stakeholder management, ensuring effective liaison with project partners, funders, Project Boards as appropriate.
• Develop and deliver communication strategy for the project(s), which may include developing, for example, newsletters, briefings for stakeholders and/or websites or other social media.
• Managing project resources efficiently and effectively, including budgets, and ensure project documentation is maintained
• Ensure that priorities are balanced, taking action to deliver agreed deliverables against timelines.
• To act as a liaison between teams both within Student Living and with other areas across the University, to ensure excellent communication between services.
• 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, Experience

• Specialist knowledge of existing systems: StarRez (Process flow, Dashboards and Reporting) Banner, Queue It, Service Desk is desired.
• An understanding of the accommodation allocation and booking processes (including special groups allocations, U18 allocations and Accessibility allocations) is essential.
• Qualified to Degree level or equivalent plus practical managerial experience or significant relevant experience demonstrated through increasingly more demanding roles evidencing the experience necessary for this role
• Proven track record of successful project management, preferably using one or more project management tools
• Evidence of literacy and numeracy, with the ability to write clearly, and experience in analysing data and producing actionable insights.
• Highly proficient IT skills, including the MS Office and website editing software. You should be confident and able to quickly learn new IT skills and software packages as required.
• You must have experience of working with and development of sophisticated IT systems, especially SQL server databases and Cloud based systems is essential.
• Excellent people-management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, relationship building and influencing skills with the ability to deal confidently with a range of internal and external stakeholders/contacts
• Excellent organisational and multi-tasking skills with a methodical approach to work and the ability to prioritise workloads in order to meet deadlines
• 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.