Academic Consultancy Officer

**Job Purpose**
Academic Consultancy Service (ACS) is a fast-moving, reactive environment, with a range of concurrent complex activities. The Academic Consultancy Officer will lead on delivery and continuous improvement of the processes, procedures and systems underpinning the ACS to ensure service excellence, portfolio growth, and support strategic management of the University’s Academic Consultancy activities. The role holder will build and maintain strong and productive relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders including academics, other university services, senior management and external clients to ensure a professional, efficient and inclusive/accessible support function that drives the reputation and success of ACS internally and externally.

**Main Duties and Responsibilities**
1. Leading high-level operational management of the University’s Academic Consultancy portfolio to proactively support delivery of the University’s strategic objectives for Academic Consultancy, using initiative and judgement to act independently and on behalf of the broader Academic Consultancy team where appropriate.
2. Providing effective oversight and financial management of all consultancy budgets within the University portfolio, working closely with the Academic Consultancy Managers, Contract Managers, and Finance Consultancy team, to provide specialised advice and resolve complex issues.
4. Leading the ACS portfolio management system and reporting tools and working with the ACS Managers to ensure compliance with fiscal regulations, risk obligations and data management best practice.
5. Producing and distributing regular operational reports and compile and analyse large data sets into comprehensive evidence-based reports, using these to recognise trends and draw conclusions to deliver robust management information and recommendations for future service delivery.
6. Managing project administration such as consultancy project forms, supplier set up forms, provision of banking information and other related duties as reasonably required. Administering the ACS budget.
7. Working with the broader ACS team, continually monitoring, reviewing and implementing changes to systems to enhance the operational efficiency and effectiveness of consultancy processes, procedures, and systems.
8. Assisting with business development initiatives and gathering feedback on service experience to inform continuous quality improvement.
9. Managing the ACS mailbox, acting as first contact point for consultancy-related queries, responding personally to and proactively resolving stakeholder enquiries, and triaging/escalating to ACS Managers where appropriate to ensure excellent service levels.
10. Leading the organisation of reputationally important pan-university ACS events, workshops and training programmes to grow academic engagement. Supporting the development and maintenance of the ACS webpages.
11. Any other duties that arise from time to time as directed by the manager or nominee.
12. Engage in reasonable professional development activities as appropriate.

**Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience**

**Knowledge/ Qualifications**

**Essential**:

A1 Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in a similar role.
Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 8 (Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4, Higher National Diploma) or equivalent, and experience of personal development in a similar role.
A2 Detailed knowledge of financial processes, systems and budgeting in a large organisation.
A3 Detailed knowledge and understanding of interrogating and maintaining databases.

**Desirable**:

B1 Knowledge of higher education.

**Skills**

**Essential**:

C1 Excellent customer service and communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to interact and collaborate effectively with a range of stakeholders.
C2 Ability to work calmly under pressure to manage a high volume of work to meet demanding deadlines, ensuring high accuracy and delivery to high standards.
C3 Effective planning, organising and prioritising skills with ability to adapt to changing priorities or requirements.
C4 Ability to work independently and proactively, displaying a high level of ownership, initiative, and responsibility to prioritise, problem solve and manage tight deadlines.
C6 Drive, enthusiasm and a high degree of personal effectiveness and resilience.
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**Desirable**:

D1 Web editing skills.

**Experience**

**Essential**:

E1 Relevant work experience with above qualification, or evidence of progression and development gained through considerable relevant work experience.
E2 Experience of systems and analysing data with high degree of numerical accuracy.
E3 Demonstrable experience of customer service and interacting with confidence, diplomacy and professionalism with internal and external colleagues and partners a