Higher and Further Education

Performance and Planning
The Planning and Intelligence team provides expert information, support, and advice regarding University performance, its competitive position and its opportunities for collaboration, to support an evidence-based and strategic management culture.
 
Statutory Returns
Universities are responsible for compiling and submitting a range of data returns. This consists of  working with the colleagues from across the University to ensure high quality data is returned to regulatory agencies including the Office for Students (OfS) and Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).
 
Business Intelligence
The Business Intelligence function provides access to data that aids the University’s senior management to make strategic information-based decisions. This combines data from across the University in interactive reports and dashboards. These dashboards let users view accurate and timely information without needing technical expertise.
 
Roles within this market

• Directors of Planning/ Head of Planning
• Statutory Returns Consultants- HESA, HESES, ILR
• Data Governance
• Data Analysts & Planning Analysts
• Business Intelligence Developers

Registry 
Registry services is responsible for the efficient delivery and management of the student personal and academic record from enrolment through to award, the delivery of assessments, transcripts, student complaints and student disciplinary processes
 
Admissions
Admissions covers the principles, processes and compliance measures that underpin the selection and recruitment practices for admission to all undergraduate and postgraduate courses of study
 
Student Support
Student Support is responsible for ensuring the appropriate measures are offered for proactive and reactive support to student cases   
 
Governance
Governance refers to the way in which universities are operated. It is the means by which institutions for higher education are formally organized and managed.
 
Roles within this market

• Academic Registrar
• Deputy Registrar
• Head of Registry
• Registry Consultant
• Head of Admissions
• Admissions Manager
• Admissions Officer
• UKVI Tier 4 Specialist
• Student Experience Consultant
• Head of Student Support & Wellbeing

Data Solutions provides the provides the systems, information and tools to support the data journey, from governing and sourcing data, to creating, managing, analysing and reporting it.

Data Strategy
Data strategies set out key aims and principles that will underpin improvements to manage, access and the use of administrative data. This allows universities to make good decision-making and meeting reporting responsibilities, well-governed data means less reworking, less duplication of effort and less time spent searching for the right data or being unsure that it is of the right quality.

Architecture
Data Architecture leads on data governance and strategy, data modelling, data architecture solutions for integrations, migrations, analytics, application development and data quality. This function works at a high level of detail and precision in the development of data artefacts using enterprise-level modelling toolset and repository and champions good data management practices.

Data Warehousing & Engineering
Data warehousing gathers and presents frequently-updated data in a logical and clear way to enable efficient analysis and reporting. You can rely on the data from the warehouse to be accurate and consistent. Data Engineering is the foundation of data science and lays the groundwork for analysis and modelling. Data lakes can be more flexible than a standard data warehouse, as a data lake collects all types of data without imposing a structure until the query is taking place.

Integration
Almost all IT systems need to be integrated with each other in some form, which consists of the ability to share and access data among solutions. When systems are integrated effectively, this ensures that valid and relevant data is available to all university systems.

Roles within this market

• Data Architect
• Data Governance Specialist
• Data Warehouse Developer
• Data Engineer- Azure/ AWS
• Integration Architect

The Student System team cover placing a number of highly skilled and particularly niche specialists within the Higher and Further Education Sector, who each have an excellent understanding of the Student Lifecycle Journey and processes to follow within Universities and Colleges. Some of these systems include; Tribal SITS. Ellucian Banner, Thesis, Quercus, Technology One and Unit 4 to name a few. 

The roles in this market: 

SITS Analyst
SITS Business Analyst 
SITS Consultant
SITS Developer 
SITS integration Development Expert/ Lead 
SITS Programme manager 
SITS Project Manager 
SITS Technical lead 
SITS Tester 
SITS Training Manager 

The Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems market is increasingly becoming a cornerstone for operational excellence in the higher education sector. As institutions strive to streamline their processes, enhance student services, and improve data-driven decision-making. 

Roles within this market: 

• Project Managers
• Business Analysts
• Test Managers
• Integration Specialist
• Training Specialist
• ERP consultant
• Payroll Consultant
• Finance Systems Manager
• HR Systems Manager
• Solution Architect

Business change and transformation in the UK higher education sector involves implementing strategic initiatives to improve operational efficiency, enhance student experience, and ensure long-term sustainability. This process often includes revaluating organisational structures, processes, and technologies to adapt to changing market demands, regulatory requirements, and technological advancements.

Roles in the market:

• Business Analysis, Product Owner, Agile Coach, Scrum Master
• Project, Programme & Portfolio Manager
• Project Support
• Programme Directors
•  PMO – Head of, Manager, Support, Analyst
• Change & Transformation Managers
• Benefits Management/Realisation, Training & Support
• Project Sponsor – C-level (CIO, CTO, COO)
• Communications and Engagement Specialists 

MIS Leadership
Strategic and operational direction of MIS, including MI, BI, Funding, Compliance and Examinations, ensuring high quality, accessible systems, services and processes.

Funding & Compliance
Preparation and submission of all FE funding returns, ensuring timely, accurate and complete ILR submissions and funding returns through appropriate systems. Ensuring funding compliance for upcoming internal and external audits.

Reporting & Systems Development
Producing dynamic reports and dashboards from a range of MIS databases ensuring that data is readily available to staff in a variety of formats. Developing links between College data systems to improve the integration and effective use of data across the college. Data warehousing to merge to enable group-wide reporting on the dashboards. Implementation, migration and integration of MIS software.

Roles we cover
•    Head of MIS/ Director of MIS
•    MIS Manager
•    Funding Expert
•    Audit & Compliance Consultant
•    Reporting & Data Warehouse Developer
•    MIS Systems Developer

The Student System team cover placing a number of highly skilled and particularly niche specialists within the Higher and Further Education Sector, who each have an excellent understanding of the Student Lifecycle Journey and processes to follow within Universities and Colleges. Some of these systems include; Tribal SITS. Ellucian Banner, Thesis, Quercus, Technology One and Unit 4 to name a few. 

The senior leadership team are responsible for ensuring the college operates effectively and meets the businesses educational, financial, and strategic goals.

Roles we recruit:
•    Chief Executive officer
•    Principal
•    Deputy Principal – Finance & Corporate services
•    Deputy Principal – Curriculum & Quality
•    Vice Principal – Student services & DSL
•    Vice Principal – Apprenticeships & Business development
•    Vice Principal – HE 
•    Vice Principal – Quality
•    Vice Principal - Curriculum

The colleges finance department is responsible for managing the financial health and ensuring the efficient allocation and use of financial resources across the college. This includes annual budgeting, long-term financial planning & reporting, cash flow & investment management, risk assessment, and financial services.

Roles we recruit:
•    Chief Finance Officer
•    Director of Finance
•    Head of Financial Operations
•    Head of Management accounts
•    Finance manager
•    Finance Business partner

The HR department is responsible for recruiting and retaining college staff, managing employee relations, ensuring the college Is compliance with FE regulations, and supporting employee development and well-being. The payroll department is responsible for managing staff payroll and benefits such as Teacher pensions.

Roles we recruit:
•    Director of HR
•    Head of HR
•    HR Business partner
•    HR Manager
•    Payroll manager
•    Payroll consultant

The IT and Digital departments are responsible for managing the college's technological infrastructure, supporting digital learning, and ensuring that students, faculty, and staff have access to the tools and resources they need.

Roles we recruit:
•    Director of IT 
•    Director of Digital 
•    Head of IT 
•    Head of Digital learning
•    IT Manager
•    1st, 2nd, and 3rd line Engineers
•    IT Project manager

The Estates and Facilities department are responsible for ensuring that the college's physical environment supports its educational mission and provides a safe, functional, and welcoming space for students, staff, and visitors. Alongside the day to day, they are responsible for overseeing Capital Projects across the campus.

Roles we recruit:
•    Director of Estates & Facilities
•    Head of Estates
•    Head of Facilities
•    Head of Health and Safety
•    Facilities manager
•    Health and safety managers
•    Capital Project managers

The Curriculum and Quality department are is responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and evaluation of the academic programs offered by the college. They ensure that the curriculum is relevant, high-quality, and meets the needs of students, employers, and regulatory bodies.

Roles we recruit:
•    Vice Principal – Curriculum & Quality
•    Director of Curriculum
•    Director of Quality
•    Head of School 
•    Head of Quality
•    Curriculum manager
•    Quality manager
•    Curriculum and Quality consultants

The Student Services and Student Experience department is responsible for supporting the students in various aspects of their college life, safeguarding the students, enhancing their overall experience, and helping them succeed both academically and personally.

Roles we recruit:
•    Vice Principal Student services & Designated Safeguarding Lead
•    Assistant Principal Student experience
•    Director of Student services & Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
•    Head of Student services
•    Head of Client services & Admissions
•    Student services & wellbeing manager
•    Admissions manager
•    Safeguarding consultant

The Apprenticeship department is responsible for strategically and operationally managing, growing, and supporting the apprenticeship department. The Marketing and Business development department works closely with the business development department to promoting the college, attracting prospective students, and enhancing the institution's reputation.

Roles we recruit:
•    Assistant Principal – Apprenticeships & Skills
•    Director of Marketing 
•    Director of Apprenticeships and Business development
•    Head of Business development
•    Head of Apprenticeships
•    Head of Marketing
•    Apprenticeship manager
•    Business development manager
•    Marketing manager

Project managers and consultants provide expertise to FE colleges, helping them navigate complex projects and strategic initiatives. Their work supports the college in achieving the goals, improve its operations, and provide a high-quality experience for students and staff.

Roles we recruit:
•    IT & Estates Project manager
•    Change Project manager
•    Capital Project manager
•    Finance consultant
•    Strategic Planning consultant
•    Quality & Teaching and Learning consultant
•    Curriculum consultant
•    Safeguarding consultant