Student Number Planning Manager

Birmingham City University; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Career development

Staff benefits

Job summary

Birmingham City University is seeking an experienced and analytical Student Number Planning Manager to lead forecasting, enrolment and budgeting processes across the University. You will manage a small team of reporting specialists and provide guidance on student numbers, progression and data used for planning.

The role requires strong analytical skills, experience with large datasets, Excel and SQL, and the ability to build relationships across Academic Schools, Finance, Marketing and other

Qualifications

• A degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject, preferably with a numerate focus.
• Experience of developing forecasting models.
• Experience of managing a small team.
• Advanced data analysis skills with large datasets; advanced Excel and SQL.
• Experience of creating dashboards using Power BI or similar tool.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of student number planning and reporting analysts to ensure forecasts are completed accurately within budget timetable.
• Collaborate with colleagues to collect performance data and recruitment targets, documenting processes and seeking approvals.
• Provide guidance on regulatory requirements, student populations, enrolment numbers and progression calculations.

Skills

Forecasting

Team management

Excel

SQL

Power BI

Data analysis

Education

Numerate degree or equivalent

Tools

SITS data extraction

Job description

We are looking for an experienced and analytical Student Number Planning Manager to join Birmingham City University. The post holder will be responsible for overseeing student number forecasting and in-year student number reporting, ensuring that information is accurate, timely and supports the University's planning and budgeting requirements. You will manage the collection of student recruitment targets and student progression modelling, which will support the University's student income model and budget. You will also manage a small team of reporting specialists who produce in-year reports covering enrolment and attrition against key performance indicators. A key part of the role will be developing and improving student number planning products and scenario modelling. This will help the University respond to changes in student demand, demographics and Government policy. You will work closely with colleagues across the University, including Academic Schools, Marketing, Recruitment and Communications, Finance and other professional services areas. You will provide advice and guidance on student numbers, enrolment, progression and the data used to support planning and reporting. This is an opportunity for someone with strong analytical and forecasting experience who is able to work confidently with data, manage a small team and build effective working relationships across the University.

Main Activities and Responsibilities

• Lead a team of student number planning and reporting analysts, ensuring student number forecasts are completed accurately and within the University's budget timetable, including contributing to the Annual Financial Return required by the Office for Students.
• Work with colleagues across the University to collect performance data and student recruitment targets, ensuring the process is clearly documented and that proposed targets are presented for the appropriate committee and Board approvals.
• Provide advice and guidance to colleagues, including managers within Academic Schools, on regulatory requirements, student populations, enrolment numbers and progression calculations.
• Oversee analysis of current-year data and previous-year student statutory returns data to identify trends and performance against University key performance indicators.
• Work closely with Marketing, Recruitment and Communications on student recruitment target setting and with Finance on reporting relating to fee income.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of student enrolment, withdrawal and planning reports and dashboards, ensuring that information is accurate and accessible to colleagues across the University, including the Vice-Chancellor and University Executive Team.
• Ensure processes and documentation are kept up to date and that appropriate arrangements are in place to provide cover within the team.
• Develop scenario modelling that can be used at University, School and academic department level to support planning and decision-making.
• Assess and report on the impact of changes to academic regulations, University processes, strategy, course provision and the external environment on student number modelling.
• Work with colleagues across the Planning and Performance Directorate to support the delivery of departmental priorities and promote effective team working.
• Undertake any other duties as required by the line manager or Director of Planning and Intelligence.

Requirements

• A degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject, preferably with a numerate focus.
• Experience of developing forecasting models.
• Experience of managing a small team.
• Advanced data analysis skills, including experience of working with large and complex datasets and advanced Excel and SQL and/or other data extraction and analysis tools.
• Experience of creating dashboards using Power BI or other tool.
• A curious and tenacious approach to problem solving, with the ability to investigate issues and identify appropriate solutions.
• The ability to manage your own workload and the workload of others.
• Good time management and the ability to work to deadlines.
• The ability to work effectively with colleagues and manage upwards, particularly when delivering projects to tight deadlines.
• Experience of working across different departments and building effective working relationships.
• The ability to undertake duties at different University premises, including any University campus, as required.
• The ability to undertake other duties as required by the line manager or Director of Planning and Intelligence.

Desirable Criteria

It would be desirable if you have:

• Experience of delivering five-year student number forecasts within Higher Education.
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Experience of using or extracting data from the SITS student record
• Experience of negotiating and influencing colleagues and stakeholders.

If you have experience of student number planning, forecasting and data analysis and are looking for an opportunity to make a contribution to strategic planning at Birmingham City University, we would like to hear from you.

About Birmingham City University

At Birmingham City University, we are a diverse and inclusive learning community of over 31,400 students from more than 120 countries. We aim to become an exemplar anchor institution, creating and sharing knowledge for a better and more inclusive society. We are committed to providing a transformational educational experience, supporting world‑class research, and fostering a collaborative and supportive working environment for our staff. Recognised as one of the UK's Top 250 employers (Financial Times & Statista), we pride ourselves on being a place where colleagues feel valued, supported, and able to grow their careers while contributing to the success of our students and communities. Our student demographic reflects the rich cultural and ethnic diversity of Birmingham itself, with a significant proportion of students from minoritised ethnic backgrounds and the majority of our home students coming from the West Midlands. This diversity is a strength, and it calls for a workforce that is equipped to challenge deficit narratives and thinking - those assumptions that position students from underrepresented groups as lacking rather than recognising their assets, strengths and potential. By embracing this perspective, we aim to create an environment where all students and colleagues can thrive, and where our work contributes positively to the social, cultural and economic life of Birmingham and beyond.

This is a key role in supporting the University to understand student numbers, plan effectively and respond to changes in the Higher Education environment.

Benefits

• Work-life balance - Generous leave and hybrid working (role dependent).
• Career development - Opportunities to grow, develop and progress your career.
• Reward and wellbeing - Competitive pay, pension, wellbeing support and staff benefits.
• Inclusive culture - A supportive, diverse environment where everyone belongs.