Further Particulars
This document includes information about the role for which you are applying and the
information you will need to provide with the application.
1. Role details
Vacancy reference:
9019
Job title:
Strategy Manager
Reports to:
Senior Strategy Manager
Salary:
£37,382 - £44,607 depending on qualifications and
experience
Terms and conditions:
Academic Related
Grade:
Grade 8
Duration of post:
Fixed Term Contract until 31st August 2014
Working hours:
Monday to Friday, 37 hours per week
Location:
Walton Hall, Milton Keynes
Closing date:
Noon 16th May 2013
Type of application form accepted:
Short Application form, covering letter and c.v.
Number of referees required:
3
Unit recruitment contact:
[email protected]
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January 2010
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2. Summary of duties
1. Summary

The main purpose of the role is to manage key aspects of the strategic planning work
of the University. The Strategy Managers will be expected to work flexibly across a
range of strategic planning projects but take personal responsibility for managing at
least one of the following specific areas:
a) The dashboard of key measures of institutional performance
b) The Unit Planning process
c) Senior Team Strategy Days

The Strategy Managers will also contribute to the overall development, review and
refresh of the University Strategy

They will also line manage or direct the work of the Team Coordinator
2. Specific Responsibilities (each Strategy Manager will work flexibly but take personal
responsibility for at least one of the following areas)
2.1 Dashboard of Institutional Performance

Manage the development and maintenance of the dashboard

Ensure that the measures and targets within the dashboard reflect the key aspects of
the University’s performance that the Vice-Chancellor’s Executive (VCE) should focus
upon and align with the University’s Strategic Plan

Undertake regular reviews and liaise with VCE members and their nominees to agree
any revisions or additions to the measures, targets or their presentation on the
dashboard

Use judgement and political awareness to identify issues and propose appropriate
solutions

Work with IT to specify changes and enhancements to the dashboard, ensuring that
revisions are delivered to time and quality standards

Develop and manage processes with IT and the relevant business units around the
University to ensure that the data feeding the dashboard is updated appropriately on a
monthly basis

Produce monthly reports for VCE highlighting areas where performance is at variance
from target, ensure that the Director of Strategy is appropriately briefed in advance of
the meeting

Manage the process for capturing decisions and actions from the VCE discussions and
for ensuring that the actions are followed up

Produce the Annual Institutional Performance report for consideration and approval by
VCE, the Strategic Planning and Resources Committee and the University Council

Maintain an awareness of dashboard developments within the University and the
broader market to ensure that the OU Institutional Dashboard is fit for purpose
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January 2010
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2.2 Unit Planning

Manage the Unit Planning process and seek ways to influence and improve the quality
of strategic planning within the University.

Produce a template and guidance to Units to facilitate production of Units’ Business
Plans which align with the University’s Strategic Plan and are useful tools for the
effective planning and management of Units

Convene the Unit Planning Co-ordination Group to ensure a planned and co-ordinated
approach to the strategic, financial and student number planning inputs into the Unit
Planning process

Convene the Planning and Resource Officer Support Group to provide information,
promote good practice and facilitate co-ordination between the staff supporting each
PRO

Provide advice and support to Units, including presentations to key groups and
individual units as appropriate

Ensure that the role of the UK Nations is appropriately integrated into the Unit Planning
process

Review the Unit Planning process each year, gathering and taking into account
feedback from stakeholders, in order to continually improve the effectiveness of the
process

Co-ordinate the production and regular review of the Strategy Office’s own Business
Plan and risk register
2.3 Senior Team Strategy Days

Manage the arrangements for the Senior Team Strategy Days, of which there are
normally 4 per year

Support the Director of Strategy in the production of a draft agenda to be agreed with
the Vice-Chancellor

In conjunction with the Human Resources Development Team, agree the detailed
planning and logistics for the day

Liaise with presenters of each session to ensure that appropriate content is produced,
interactive sessions planned and delivery timescales met

Ensure that appropriate materials are circulated to Senior Team members in advance
and after each meeting
3. General responsibilities
3.1 Contribution to broader strategic planning

Develop a strong understanding of the University’s strategy and of the external
strategic environment

Contribute to the development, review and refresh of the University’s Strategic Plan

Provide support for key activities in the annual Strategy Refresh process, including
Strategy Week, the Council Retreat and VCE Away Days

Undertake additional strategic projects as and when specific institutional needs arise
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January 2010
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3.2 Staff management

Manage the Team Coordinator. Whilst the formal line management will rest with one
Strategy Manager including responsibility for their Career Development and Staff
Appraisal, both Strategy Managers will have a key role in directing and managing the
work of the Team Coordinator in relation to their specific activities, providing
appropriate coaching and support
3.3 Team development

Support and work positively with team members, being prepared to review the
allocation of responsibilities within the team and pick up new tasks as appropriate

Contribute to the development of the Strategy Office Team in terms of sharing skills
and expertise, promoting good practice and contributing to specific projects elsewhere
in the Strategy Office
3. Person specification




Strategic and analytical thinking
o
Appreciation of the University’s strategic context
o
Ability to translate strategic considerations into practical actions
o
Excellent problem solving skills with the ability to exercise sound judgment in
proposing and implementing appropriate solutions
Planning and organisational skills
o
Experience of taking personal responsibility for the management and
development of a discrete area of work
o
Experience of using sound project management methodology to plan and
organise complex activities
o
Track record of delivering to time, quality and resource requirements
o
Experience of identifying and implementing quality enhancements
Communication skills
o
Strong communication skills, verbal, written and presentational
o
Highly persuasive, able to influence using tact and diplomacy
o
Self-confidence to work with the senior executive team
Collaborative and interpersonal skills
o
Strong interpersonal skills, able to establish effective working relationships with
diverse groups and individuals, and work within cross functional teams
o
Ability to appropriately identify and engage key stakeholders
o
Pro-active development of internal & external networks
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January 2010
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
IT skills
o


Ability to use IT to facilitate communication, collaboration and drive process
improvement
Staff leadership
o
Essential – ability to delegate and manage the workload of a member of staff,
providing appropriate coaching and support
o
Desirable – proven staff management and staff development experience
Qualifications
o
Essential – Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
Desirable – PRINCE 2 or other project management qualification
Note: Essential elements are those, without which, a candidate would not be able to do the job. Applicants who have
not clearly demonstrated in their application that they possess the essential elements will normally be rejected at the
short listing stage. Desirable elements are those which it would be useful for the post holder to possess.
4. Role specific requirements e.g. Shift working
5. About the unit/department
About the Strategy Office
The Strategy Office is led by the Director, Strategy who reports directly to the ViceChancellor and has overall responsibility for leading the development of strategy across
the University and for overseeing the successful execution of strategic plans. We
provide advice and analysis to the Vice-Chancellor and his Executive team on issues of
strategy, organisation, operations and partnerships. We also provide creative leadership
and act as a pivotal link between the strategy and the day to day operations of the
University.
Our principal tasks are to provide:
•
Strategic insights into key external issues and opportunities to inform the
University’s strategy and plans;
•
Strategic analysis for the University to enable it to identify development
opportunities;
•
Expertise to inform the University Executive on how to deal with specific
challenges including identifying issues, forming hypotheses, synthesising
conclusions and helping implement change to achieve measurable impact.
And to drive strategy through:
•
Developing and maintaining the OU Strategic Plan;
•
Progressing the activities within the Strategic Priorities;
•
Creating and operating an effective reporting system;
•
Developing vision and priorities into clear and meaningful strategies and plans;
•
Monitoring and supporting the Executive in the execution of the University’s
strategic priorities.
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January 2010
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6. How to obtain more information about the role or application process
If you would like to discuss the particulars of this role before making an application please
contact Lucy Taylor on extension 53595 or email [email protected].
If you have any questions regarding the application process please contact [email protected].
7. The application process and where to send completed applications
Please ensure that your application reaches the University by noon on Thursday 16th
May 2013.
You should enclose:
•
A covering letter, clearly indicating how you believe you meet the person
specification. Please ensure you provide relevant examples as evidence to
support your statement
•
Your completed application form (short version)
•
Your CV
Post it to:
Name/Job title:
Diana Griffiths, Recruitment Co-ordinator
Department/Unit: University Secretary’s Office
Address:
Room 202, Charles Pinfold Building
The Open University
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
Post Code:
MK7 6AA
Or e-mail your application to: [email protected]
8. Selection process and date of interview
The interview panel will be chaired by Anna Barber, Senior Strategy Manager. The interviews
will take place on Thursday 23 May.
We will let you know as soon as possible after the closing date whether you have been
shortlisted for interview. Further details on the selection process will also be sent to
shortlisted candidates.
Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
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January 2010
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