Registry Operational Managers

University of Derby; Markeaton; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Wellbeing benefits and support

Staff discounts

Onsite gym

Private Health Insurance

Holiday purchase

Cycle to Work

Flexible working

Personal and professional development

Job summary

The Registry at University of Derby is seeking an experienced Operational Manager to provide senior leadership and flexible management capacity across key Registry areas, particularly during peak periods such as enrolment, assessment, awards and compliance activity. You will lead teams, manage competing priorities and drive service improvement.

The role requires strong people management, data-driven decision making and willingness to work across Registry functions, including occasional evenings

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent relevant professional experience is required.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Experience in Higher Education, student administration, Registry services or a regulated environment would be advantageous, but is not essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead teams, manage competing priorities and support service improvement in a complex environment.
• Provide day-to-day leadership, maintain service continuity, manage operational risk and support colleagues through a period of significant change.
• Be willing to work flexibly across different Registry functions and support key University activities, including occasional evening or weekend work where needed.

Job description

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.

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

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).

To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, you must meet the following conditions:

• Your job is on the Immigration Skills List
• You are 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.