Student Systems and Data Manager

The Post

The University is embarking on an exciting transformation of our student systems infrastructure over the next two years and during the project we are committed to maintaining our business-as-usual activities and require additional resources to continue to deliver the service.

During this period, we are looking for a Student Systems Manager as part of the Academic Registry team to continue our business-as-usual activities. The Student Systems Manager will take a leading role during the pivotal time in managing the current student and applicant management system infrastructure with line management responsibility for a team of 4 staff members responsible for statutory data sharing and reporting including HESA student returns, student systems infrastructure Tribal SITS product and module evaluations.

The team supports the Academic Registrar and works in conjunction with the rest of the Academic Registry team in the successful delivery of Academic Registry objectives. The team also works collaboratively with the University's Faculties and Professional Services to achieve institutional objectives.

The role has a key focus on teamwork, engagement, streamlining, integration, and consistency, and working with a collaborative, solution focused approach with colleagues across Academic Registry, in the Information Services team and in faculties and other professional services.

The post holder performs a senior role within Student Systems and Data, deputising as required for the Head of Student Systems and Data, and is part of Academic Registry's senior leadership group.

This role is located at our Stirling Campus where regular attendance is required as part of a hybrid approach.

Description of Duties

• Manage the University's student and applicant management system in terms of development, administration and enhancement, data quality management and the user support helpdesk, and alignment with the broader student systems infrastructure, enabling overall coherence
• Work in line with data quality and retention procedures to contribute to ensuring the quality, and effective retention, of data held in the student management system
• Line management support of 4 staff
• Actively drive and track development of the student management system in line with agreed roadmaps, plans and priorities, including in relation to service delivery and enhancement
• Act as a key business contact for the Tribal SITS system supplier, working in liaison with the Head of Student Systems and Data and/or Academic Registrar as appropriate
• Lead or contribute to project boards, working groups, or University committees as appropriate
• In partnership with the Curriculum Systems Manager, support the Head of Student Systems and Data in ensuring a knowledgeable, highly skilled, multi-disciplinary and effective team who are engaged and ambitious in their delivery and development of high quality system infrastructure, and achievement of Academic Registry and wider institutional objectives
• Ensure the flexible deployment of the team's staffing resource in order to meet service and delivery needs
• Retain a thorough knowledge and understanding of the provisions of the University's student systems infrastructure, and at least a working knowledge of statutory data reporting requirements (including HESA). Use this knowledge base to ensure the ongoing maintenance and development of the student management system and the data it holds effectively supports stakeholder and delivery requirements
• Manage and undertake effective planning for ongoing statutory system enhancement, maintenance and upgrade, working in conjunction with software suppliers and colleagues in the Information Services Directorate to ensure development activity progresses in a timely manner and is successful in achieving required outcomes and impact
• Manage the availability of up to date, effective user guides and other support and training resources as required, working in conjunction with others as appropriate
• Work proactively to build and maintain a network of contacts with staff across the University, with colleagues from other Universities working in a similar role and with staff at external organisations including software suppliers and statutory bodies
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across Academic Registry to ensure effective end-to-end operations and processes and that activity is joined-up and focussed on the achievement of institutional outcomes and the student experience

Please see attached Job Description for full duties of the role.

Essential Criteria

• Knowledge of the Tribal SITS product
• Degree level or equivalent qualifications or equivalent professional experience
• Experience at a managerial or supervisory level, of complex systems administration and management
• Strong communication skills, both verbally and in producing written information. Ability to effectively communicate with staff at all levels
• Demonstrable experience of utilising a range of complex IT systems to an advanced level, including knowledge of activities such as system security, data cleansing, system auditing and control procedures and advanced Excel
• A proven track record in developing and modelling system processes to support service improvement, including identifying and implementing new initiatives and opportunities for process improvement to improve service delivery
• Proven ability to resolve problems with expediency, intelligence and sensitivity
• Excellent skills and ability in interpreting complex information and translating policy and procedure requirements into systems processes
• Highly organised with the ability to work with strong attention to detail, accuracy, within specified deadlines and with a high-volume and complex workload
• Experience in managing people, and deploying resources in line with delivery requirements
• Ability to work independently and with initiative but to also operate successfully in team and wider collaborative contexts
• Ability to produce effective, robust reports based on understanding and manipulating complex statistical data
• Proven analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently and with initiative but to also operate successfully in team and wider collaborative contexts
• Ability to successfully work on multiple projects or tasks simultaneously
• Familiarity with reporting tools and SQL

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of operating or managing curriculum data and processes
• Knowledge of PRINCE2 Practitioner or ITIL Practitioner, or other recognised project management methodology

Additional Information

Full time

Fixed term until August 2027

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 04 January 2026.

Interviews are expected to take place on the week commencing Monday 12 January 2026.

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

For the purposes of sponsorship, this role may be eligible for sponsorship depending on candidate circumstances under 2132.

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

Behaviours and Competencies

The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.

• Managing self and personal skills
  
  Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.

• Delivering excellent service
  
  Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.

• Finding solutions
  
  Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.

• Embracing change
  
  Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.

• Using resources effectively
  
  Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.

• Engaging with the wider context
  
  Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.

• Developing self and others
  
  Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.

• Working together
  
  Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.

• Achieving Results
  
  Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.

The University

The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe. Driven by our mission to be the difference, we are addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society.

The University has more than 17,500 students globally and employs 1,800 staff, with more than 140 nationalities represented within our community. Our campus environment is ranked first in the UK and top 10 in the world, and our sports facilities rank first in the UK and second in the world (International Student Barometer 2024, wave two), reflecting our long-standing designation as Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence.

We were shortlisted for University of the Year 2024 at the Times Higher Education Awards and are proud holders of a Silver institutional award from the Athena Swan Charter, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality. We have an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings and are ranked top 30 in the UK for postgraduate teaching and learning (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey In recognition of our excellence in business education, we are accredited by AACSB International.

Eighty-seven per cent of our research has an outstanding or very considerable impact on society, with more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021), and we are ranked among the top 100 institutions in the world for our contribution to meeting 10 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. We have twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize; for our Institute for Social Marketing and Health and our Institute of Aquaculture

Alongside partners, the University spearheads the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal – which will deliver three major University-led projects: the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub, Scotland's International Environment Centre, and the Intergenerational Living Innovation Hub. We are also a central partner in the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.

Job Reference: SERV02015