Registry Operational Manager (0303-26) – Derby, DE22 1GB
About the University
We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.
The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.
We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.
Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.
About the College/Department
The Registry supports the whole student journey, from initial enquiry and admission through to final award and beyond. We work as an integrated, student-focused service, using our expertise, insight and technology to deliver excellent services and support student success. Our teams work collaboratively across the University, fostering an inclusive, high-performing culture that promotes wellbeing, development and opportunity for all.
About the Role
The University of Derby is entering an exciting period of transformation as we progress the Student 360 project, a major programme designed to enhance the student experience and improve how we deliver services across the student lifecycle. To support this work, we are seeking Registry Operational Managers to provide senior operational leadership and flexible management capacity across key areas of Registry. These fixed-term roles will enable experienced colleagues to contribute to strategic project activity while ensuring that core Registry services continue to operate effectively, particularly during peak periods such as enrolment, assessment, awards, compliance activity and student records management.
This is an excellent opportunity for experienced operational managers who can lead teams, manage competing priorities and support service improvement in a complex environment. Working across Registry functions, you will provide day-to-day leadership, maintain service continuity, manage operational risk and support colleagues through a period of significant change. You will bring strong people management skills, sound judgement, a collaborative approach and the ability to use data and insight to improve services. If you are committed to delivering high-quality, student-focused services and want to play a key role in supporting transformation at Derby, we would welcome your application.
The role will require you to be able and willing to work flexibly across different Registry functions and support key University activities, including occasional evening or weekend work where needed.
Anticipated interview date: Thursday 5th November 2026
About You
You will be an experienced operational manager with a strong track record of leading services, people and change within a complex organisation. You will be confident managing competing priorities, supporting teams through busy operational periods and making sound, evidence-based decisions. With excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, you will be able to build credibility quickly, work collaboratively across departments and provide clear direction to colleagues.
You will bring a continuous improvement mindset, using data, insight and feedback to improve services, manage risk and support effective delivery. The ideal candidate will have experience of managing operational teams and services, delivering service improvement or transformation activity, and working within policy, regulatory or compliance-led environments.
A degree or equivalent relevant professional experience is required, alongside evidence of continuing professional development. Experience in Higher Education, student administration, Registry services or a regulated environment would be advantageous, but is not essential.
Non-negotiables for this role include strong people management skills, the ability to work flexibly across different Registry functions, confidence in managing operational risk, and a clear commitment to delivering high-quality, student-focused services. You must also be willing to support key University events and work outside normal hours where business need requires.
Benefits
- Generous annual leave entitlement of 42 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
- Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
- Discounted onsite gym
- Access to employer-funded Private Health Insurance
- Holiday purchase
- Cycle to Work scheme
- A flexible working environment
- A commitment to personal and professional development
Key Contact
For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Emma Baddiley, Student Hub and Registry Operations Manager via E.Baddiley@derby.ac.uk
For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk
Important Information
This role is eligible for sponsorship by the University, however, your individual circumstances must meet the criteria set out by UKVI; this includes meeting the English Language requirement and earning a salary that meets the highest of either the going rate for the SOC code or the minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker route (£41,700 per annum, as of 22nd July 2025).
If the role is eligible, but the offered salary is less that the going rate for the role, you may still be able to apply for a Skilled Worker visa if:
- Your job is on the Immigration Skills List
- You’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training
- You have a PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job
- You have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education
Please note that the University cannot confirm your eligibility for sponsorship until an offer is made and your individual circumstances have been considered.
For more information, visit our website.
The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.
Please find our Safeguarding pages including our Safeguarding Policy here.
Closing Date: 25 Oct 2026
Area: Senior Management
Salary: £51,849 to £64,811 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £74,533 per annum)
…