Timetabling Officer

National Skills Agency Ltd; Sidcup; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

35 days' annual leave + bank holidays

On-site parking

Nest pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

National Skills Agency Ltd is seeking an experienced Timetabling Officer to manage the full lifecycle of the academic timetable, from planning through publication and maintenance. You will coordinate with Programme Directors and course teams to gather teaching requirements and translate them into effective timetables.

The role demands practical experience in timetabling, scheduling and space planning, with strong organisational and analytical skills, attention to detail and the ability to

Qualifications

• Practical experience in timetabling, scheduling or space planning.
• Ability to balance teaching requirements, staff availability and room capacity.
• Strong organisational, analytical and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, creation, publication and ongoing maintenance of the central academic timetable.
• Coordinate, gather and review teaching requirements from Programme Directors and course teams.
• Translate academic and operational requirements into effective, deliverable timetables.
• Identify and resolve timetable clashes, scheduling conflicts and resource constraints.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date information within timetabling systems.
• Support room allocation and maximise utilisation of teaching spaces.

Skills

Timetabling

Scheduling

Space planning

Stakeholder communication

Problem solving

Education

Higher/Further Education knowledge

Tools

Timetabling software

Job description

Timetabling Officer

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced, organised and proactive Timetabling Officer to manage the full lifecycle of their academic timetable, from initial planning and gathering teaching requirements through to publication, ongoing maintenance and continuous improvement.

The successful candidate will have practical experience in timetabling, complex scheduling or space planning, with the ability to balance teaching requirements, staff availability, room capacity and student needs. You will be confident identifying and resolving clashes, anticipating potential issues and ensuring the timetable remains accurate, effective and fit for purpose.

Building strong working relationships will be key to success in this role. You will work closely with Programme Directors, course teams and other colleagues to gather accurate information, manage competing priorities and follow up diplomatically where necessary.

You will take ownership of the timetabling function, develop an understanding of existing processes and identify practical, sustainable improvements. Outside peak timetabling periods, you will also support the wider Data team with general data administration.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, creation, publication and ongoing maintenance of the central academic timetable.
• Coordinate, gather and review teaching requirements from Programme Directors and course teams.
• Translate academic and operational requirements into effective, deliverable timetables.
• Identify, investigate and resolve timetable clashes, scheduling conflicts and resource constraints.
• Balance staff availability, room capacity, teaching requirements and the student experience.
• Manage timetable amendments, queries and room bookings, ensuring changes are communicated effectively.
• Maintain accurate, consistent and up-to-date information within the organisation's timetabling systems.
• Support effective room allocation and maximise the utilisation of available teaching spaces.
• Build positive working relationships with academic and professional services colleagues to ensure requirements are understood and managed effectively.
• Monitor existing processes and recommend improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy and consistency.
• Take ownership of timetabling activities, anticipating potential issues and escalating concerns where appropriate.
• Provide support to the wider Data team with data administration and related tasks as required.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Practical experience in timetabling, complex scheduling, space planning or a closely related function.
• An understanding of the challenges involved in coordinating a complex academic timetable, ideally within Higher or Further Education.
• Experience managing multiple stages of a timetabling or scheduling process, from planning through to implementation and ongoing maintenance.
• The ability to interpret requirements, identify constraints and develop practical solutions.
• Strong organisational and analytical skills, with excellent attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining accurate information.
• The ability to manage competing demands, work to firm deadlines and adapt calmly when priorities change.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to build relationships and manage competing requirements diplomatically.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving, with the ability to identify risks and opportunities for improvement.
• The ability to work independently, exercise sound judgement and recognise when issues need to be escalated.
• A flexible and collaborative approach, with a willingness to support wider team activities when required.

What Our Client Offers

Our client offers the opportunity to take ownership of a key organisational function that directly supports staff and students, with scope to improve existing processes and make a lasting impact.

Benefits include

• 35 days' annual leave, plus bank holidays.
• Additional closure days over the Christmas period.
• Free on-site parking.
• NEST pension scheme with employer contributions.
• Employee Assistance Programme