Flexible Working

We will consider applications for employment on a part-time or other flexible working basis (e.g. job share), despite the position being advertised as full-time.

We are looking to appoint an Academic Administrator to provide operational leadership for academic administration across the Department of Politics and International Studies (PAIS). This is a key role overseeing the Course Support Team, supporting the effective delivery of our undergraduate, joint degree, postgraduate taught and postgraduate research provision.

Embedded in a vibrant community of 120+ staff and 1,300+ students, this role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact in a dynamic and ambitious department. We pride ourselves on a supportive and inclusive working culture where professional services colleagues are recognised as essential partners in delivering the Department’s success.

Working closely with the Departmental Administrator (Teaching and Learning), academic leads, and colleagues across the Course Support Team, you will help ensure that academic administration across PAIS, including programme and module administration, assessment and examinations, academic governance, student casework, and quality assurance activity, is consistent, well-coordinated, and effectively delivered.

The role includes line management of the Senior Programmes Coordinator (Undergraduate Programmes), the Senior Programmes Coordinator (Joint and Postgraduate), and the Student Engagement and Progression Coordinator. You will support effective work planning, service resilience and continuous improvement across the team, helping to ensure that colleagues are well supported and that services are delivered to a high standard.

This is a varied and substantial role, suited to someone who enjoys working across complex processes, supporting colleagues to deliver effectively, and contributing to a positive student and staff experience.

About You

You will be an experienced higher education administrator who understands the importance of well-run academic administration to the student and staff experience. You will be comfortable working across a varied portfolio and able to bring structure, clarity and sound judgement to complex operational activity.

You will have a strong understanding of how academic administration processes fit together across the student lifecycle and be able to identify, develop, and continuously improve precise, fit-for-purpose processes and workflows.

You will be a supportive and organised manager, able to delegate effectively, plan work across a busy team and maintain appropriate oversight of quality and service standards. You will be confident working with academic and professional services colleagues, students, central services, and partner departments, and be able to handle sensitive matters with discretion, empathy, and professionalism.

You will also have strong IT and digital skills, including experience of relevant student administration systems and digital platforms, and an openness to learning and applying new technologies where they can support better ways of working. You will share our commitment to inclusive, equitable and student-focused service delivery, and to contributing to a positive and collegiate working culture.

About the Department

PAIS is a leading Politics and International Studies department. We are ranked 49th in the world in the 2026 QS World University Rankings, and 4th in The Times/The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025. In REF2021 and REF2014, we were awarded 100% 4 for the research environment, and since 2016, we have been ranked number 1 or 2 for ‘overall satisfaction’ in the Russell Group for Politics in the National Student Survey (NSS).

We are a diverse and inclusive community with a Professional Services team of 21 supporting education, research and departmental operations. We are committed to embedding the values of dignity, equality, freedom, and justice in our practices, including widening opportunity for both students and staff.

The Department’s core intellectual aim is to sustain a rich and welcoming environment as a methodologically and theoretically pluralist department with a broad and inclusive understanding of what it means to undertake research and teaching in Politics and International Studies.

We offer a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including a suite of double-degree MAs in partnership with other institutions. We also have a vibrant PhD programme.

PAIS holds an Athena Swan Silver Award, a national initiative that recognises the advancement of gender equality, representation, progression, and success for all in academia. We provide a welcoming and inclusive working and learning environment. We recognise that everyone is different in a variety of visible and non-visible ways, and that those differences are to be recognised, respected, and valued. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive academic environment in which all colleagues can thrive. We warmly welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, particularly those from racially minoritised, disabled, LGBTQIA+, and economically disadvantaged communities. We actively champion a culture of inclusion, intellectual curiosity, and innovation across our diverse department.

What we Offer

We provide a comprehensive range of benefits, including:

An attractive pension scheme.

30 days holiday plus University Christmas closure.

Generous parental/adoption leave policy.

Onsite childcare facilities.

Excellent learning and development opportunities.