Head of LDS

Job Profile

Job Title Head of LDS

Reports to Director of LDS

Job Purpose • To manage, develop and coordinate the operation and development of student data and funding systems across the College• To manage the effective operation and administration of exams• To ensure the timely submission of complete and accurate student data and funding returns to the relevant authorities• To ensure compliance with the Group's processes and procedures and funding body guidance relating to student and course data• To ensure that information can be accessed, applied and understood for the purposes of managing performance and achieving targets

DimensionsStaff c.13 FTE + invigilatorsSystems Currently Unit-e, 4CAST, MS Office and others as requiredSites As requiredStudents NoneBudget for the dept.

Principal Accountabilities Student dataTo manage data associated with student activity and funding across the College including:• Management and development of the student database to support strategic objectives• The appropriate application of and adherence to all relevant funding methodologies, rules and deadlines eg DfE, OfS and multiple devolved authorities.• Liaison with external bodies eg funding agencies as appropriate• Effective communication of the processes and data requirements necessary to ensure accurate data, registers and timetables including advice on funding methodologies and rules• Management and development of systems and procedures to ensure an efficient, coordinated and compliant approach to all aspects of data collection, verification, validation, analysis and performance monitoring• Leading the processes relating to the audit of student data and funding including liaison with auditors• The appropriate training of staff across the College to ensure the completeness and accuracy of student data• Compliance with data protection legislation for student data and being the named responsible person within the Lewisham College and Southwark College Data Protection Policy• To manage compliance with NCGs' Tier 4 UK Border Agency Licence and maintaining the Highly Trusted StatusExamsTo manage paper based and online examinations including:• Registration, entry and certification• Compliance with the requirements of JCQ and other awarding body regulations and ensure readiness for exam inspection spot visits• Liaison with awarding bodies and awarding body inspectorates• Examination timetables• Invigilation arrangements and related costs• Appropriate access arrangements for students with learning difficulties and disabilities• Timely recording of examination results and production of relevant reports• Provision of data returns• Management of the exams budget

Planning and performance reportingTo lead on the development of tools to manage and monitor performance against enrolment and funding targets.

To support the curriculum planning process and the setting and achievement of related targets.

To report on a range of effective Key Performance Indicators to ensure the regular monitoring of progress towards strategic and operational objectives.

To manage performance reporting systems which includes student enrolment, retention, attendance, success and funding.

To provide advice on funding methodologies and implication or the College.

To work with the senior team to develop a culture of confident data users at all levels.

To present timely and relevant advice and information to the Executive ensuring that the Principal and other senior managers are appropriately briefed.

To provide appropriate levels of performance reporting for varying audiences, in formats which are easily accessible and digestible for users using appropriate graphical and other presentation techniques.

To monitor and forecast all funding streams, and report regularly to management.

To monitor and report on learner success rates, including reporting on retention during the year and analysis of any aspects of student success data that may inform management decision making and improve outcomes for learners.

To advise on issues of funding eligibility and data credibility and carry out appropriate audits of evidence to give assurance of funding eligibility.

To manage timetabling functions and related attendance and absence reports.

ManagementTo line manage the day-to-day activities and responsibilities of the LDS team.

To oversee and regularly assess the performance of all activities within the Student Data, Exams, Planning and Performance remits and produce and implement development plans for each service and ensure that these plans are in line with the College strategic plan.

Review and monitor the delivery of Service Standards and KPIs for each service and identify areas of failure and manage section leaders to plan remedial action.

To develop and report on a range of key performance indicators for each service.

To review service performance against approved income and expenditure budgets in order to identify the appropriate actions to be taken to deal with any significant variations.

To manage team and individual performance and development, and to broaden experience and capabilities of staff for the benefit of the College and the individual staff members.

To ensure that staff are recruited, managed, appraised and developed, and that effective arrangements are made for the training and development of all staff within the services.

To liaise with other departments (eg Finance, HR, Quality, Curriculum) to ensure accurate and effective flow of data between teams.

This profile covers the core accountabilities within the role; however the postholder will be expected to undertake any other duties that may be required by theHead of Department.

Essential Desirable Method of assessmentQualifications / TrainingDegree or equivalent experience E Ap