Registry Operational Manager

£51,849 to £64,811 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £74,533 per annum)

OnsiteThis role will be based on site, primarily in the named location.

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.

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.

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

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.

• Provide operational leadership and management for designated Registry services, ensuring the effective and efficient delivery of high‑quality services.
• Support the development and implementation of strategic objectives, translating these into operational plans and measurable outcomes.
• Lead, motivate and develop teams, creating an inclusive, high‑performing culture that promotes wellbeing, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Ensure services comply with relevant legislation, regulatory requirements, University regulations, policies and procedures.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across academic and professional service departments to deliver integrated and student‑focused services.
• Lead and support service reviews, process redesign and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, effectiveness and customer experience.
• Use management information, performance metrics and key performance indicators to monitor service performance and identify areas for improvement.
• Lead operational delivery during periods of peak activity and coordinate resources effectively to meet service demands.
• Develop, implement and maintain policies, procedures and guidance to support effective service delivery and compliance.
• Lead projects and project activities that contribute to Registry and University priorities, ensuring delivery of agreed outcomes within timescales and available resources.
• Analyse complex information and prepare reports, recommendations and business cases to support decision‑making at operational and strategic levels.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, acting as a trusted advisor and professional representative of The Registry.
• Identify, assess and manage operational risks, ensuring appropriate controls and mitigation measures are in place.
• Promote and support the effective use of technology and digital solutions to improve processes, data quality, reporting capability and customer experience.
• Represent The Registry on University committees, working groups and external networks as required.
• Deputise for senior leaders when required.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of the post.
• Degree or equivalent relevant professional experience

Experience

• Significant experience of managing operational services and/or teams within a complex organisation
• Demonstrable experience of leading, developing and motivating staff to achieve service objectives
• Experience of delivering service improvement, change management or transformation initiatives
• Experience of developing, implementing and reviewing policies, procedures and operational processes
• Experience of managing competing priorities and delivering outcomes within challenging timescales
• Experience of working collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders across organisational boundaries
• Experience of leading or contributing to complex projects and delivering successful outcomes
• Experience of analysing performance data and using evidence to inform decision‑making and service development

Skills, knowledge & abilities

• Strong leadership and people management skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and build credibility at all levels
• Ability to think strategically whilst maintaining operational focus
• Excellent organisational and project management skills
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities
• Ability to interpret and apply regulatory, statutory and policy requirements
• Ability to identify risks and develop effective mitigation strategies
• Sound understanding of customer‑focused service delivery principles
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgement and make informed decisions
• Proficiency in using systems, data and reporting tools to support operational management and performance monitoring
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and creating a positive working environment

Business requirements

• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Willingness to provide support at University events from time to time e.g., Graduation, Clearing and Open Days, (some of these events occur outside of normal working hours, such as evenings and weekends)
• Ability to work outside of normal working hours (including some evenings and weekends), to support the business during key University events, such as Graduation, Clearing and Open Days
• Willingness and ability to work across different Registry functions and service areas as required
• Willingness to travel between University locations where necessary

Qualifications

Experience

• Experience of working within Higher Education
• Experience of Admissions, student administration, student services, academic administration or related Registry functions
• Experience of working within a regulated environment
• Experience of using business process improvement methodologies.

Skills, knowledge and abilities

• Knowledge of the UK Higher Education sector and regulatory environment
• Knowledge of student lifecycle processes and systems
• Generous annual leave entitlement of 42 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
• 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

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 .

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 Salary 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.

The University of Derby is committed to fostering an open, inclusive and diverse community where everyone is treated with dignity, fairness and respect. We are committed to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex or sexual orientation.

As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to inclusive recruitment and welcome requests for adjustments throughout the recruitment process. Applicants may choose their preferred title, including ‘Mx’, and may share preferred pronouns if they wish. We also use anonymised shortlisting to help reduce the potential impact of unconscious bias. For more information on equity,diversityand inclusion at the University of Derby, pleasevisitour website .

We are also committed to promoting academic freedom and freedom of speech and expression within the law, in line with our Code of Practice , and value diversity of thought alongside diversity of backgrounds and experiences.

However you identify, we welcome applications from people whose experiences, perspectives and talents will contribute to our inclusive, supportive and intellectually vibrant community.

Environmental Sustainability

At the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do. We aim to bring environmental sustainability into all aspects of the University, including teaching, research and operational activities. In line with the University’s strategic framework, we expect all our staff to embed sustainability into their working practices and support the University’s objective to reach net zero carbon by 2050.

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