JOB DESCRIPTION. 4. DEPARTMENT: Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions

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1 JOB DESCRIPTION 1. JOB TITLE: Market Research Assistant 2: HRMS REFERENCE NUMBER: HR ROLE CODE: MRAAMRA 4. DEPARTMENT: Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions 5. ORGANISATION CHART: See Appendix A 6. JOB PURPOSE: Using their knowledge and experience of research and Higher Education, the post holder will support the Department s Market Research Manager in the provision of high quality, robust market research. This will involve working across the MRA Department and all eight Faculties at the University to fulfil market research work relating to student recruitment, evaluation of events, performance marketing, as well as other market research requests as needed by the University. 7. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions Service is a central administrative department that services the whole University in support of the recruitment and admission of students to all programmes of study. The department provides the administration of all aspects of student recruitment, from marketing, initial contact and prospectus requests, through to admission and works closely with the Management Information Section in the provision of information for senior managers and a wide range of other clients. 8. WORK PERFORMED AND/OR KEY RESULT AREAS: 8.1 Communicating Effectively Answers routine enquiries on a daily basis relating to MRA surveys and data from internal and external sources. Meets with line managers to establish their expectations and needs, and is an active listener who can interpret their vision. Advises colleagues on what is technically possible and produces proposals that encompass the range and scope of the work and realistic timescales. Communicates regularly with colleagues across MRA and Faculties to disseminate findings from surveys and data analysis. 8.2 Leadership and Working Collaboratively Works collaboratively with the Market Research Manager, other departmental colleagues, as well as those from other academic and support departments to scope and produce research projects and data sharing. Participates in departmental events and the dissemination of findings.

2 Will work with colleagues and clients to assess the need for new research projects. There is no line management or supervisory responsibility. 8.3 Liaison and Networking Acts as contact point for colleagues requiring data around admissions, applicants, decliners and events evaluation. An ability to explain sometimes complex findings to a non-research audience at different levels of seniority. The ability to understand the needs of the user/academic is also important. 8.4 Delivering a High Quality Standard of Service Provide a high level of customer service to all stakeholders, including departmental colleagues and colleagues from other internal departments. Be able to produce high quality customer insight reports from event evaluation surveys and other research projects as they arise in conjunction with the line manager. Develops skills and expertise in appropriate statistical packages such as SPSS. Develops skills in analysis tools such as Excel, Access and in presentation tools like Powerpoint to an intermediate/advanced level. Keeps up-to-date with technological and software developments. 8.5 Effective Decision Making Is able to take independent decisions about how to respond to queries, relevant processes to direct to and to whom to refer further queries. Makes collaborative decisions with colleagues within the Market Research and MRA team on changes to operational processes affecting administrative operations within their section. 8.6 Planning and Organising Self and Others Takes responsibility for planning and prioritising own work, within the requirements of the role as determined by the line manager. Must be self- motivated and well-organised. Must have the ability to work under high pressure and complete projects within given deadlines. 8.7 Innovation and Improvement (Effective Problem Solving) Must be able to make practical suggestions as a result of research findings. Must consult and design research projects in conjunction with the Market Research Manager and Market Research Officer. Must be very creative and imaginative. Should be up to date with trends in the Higher Education environment and on occasion be willing to attend conferences and workshops to keep knowledge up to date.

3 8.8 Analysis and Research Must be able to undertake all or some of the attributes of quantitative research from needs analysis, to project planning, to questionnaire design, implementation and analysis. Must have good analytical ability for quantitative data analysis. Must be willing to facilitate and have the ability to learn qualitative research methods such as depth interviewing and focus group moderation. Must test work for errors and make the necessary amendments. Must have ability and motivation to understand advanced statistical techniques. 8.9 Sensory and Physical Demands Generally, as expected of an office based administrative post. Some out of hours work and there can be some pressure to meet deadlines Work Environment Office environment with no responsibility for the health and safety of others beyond due care. The post holder works at an individual workstation in a busy shared office with diverse tasks and functions, and also at recruitment events held on campus. There is a considerable amount of time spent working at a computer screen and some heavy lifting of boxes Pastoral Care and Welfare Expected to show basic sensitivity to colleagues and customers Team Development Collaborates with Market Research Team Collaborates with colleagues in Marketing, Admissions and Outreach Teaching and Learning Support This is not a requirement of the role Knowledge and Experience See person specification General Undertakes any other duties commensurate with the grade, and/or hours of work, as may reasonably be required of you. Takes responsibility for upholding and complying with the University s Equality and Diversity policies and for behaving in ways that are consistent with fair and equal treatment for all. Complies with all University Health and Safety policies.

4 Job Title: Market Research Assistant PERSON SPECIFICATION Department: Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions Criteria / Desirable Method of identification Qualifications: Undergraduate degree or equivalent level qualification. ECDL or equivalent, or a willingness to undertake. Proven Experience: Experience of working in market research. Good level of numeracy. Good level of IT literacy including the use of MS Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint. Familiarity with the research process from design/inception to implementation to analysis and dissemination. Familiarity with SPSS. Familiarity with internal and external data sources such as UCAS and HESA. Experience of online survey software. Knowledge of Higher Education sector. Willingness to learn advanced statistical techniques. Willingness to learn qualitative research techniques. Delivering academic and service excellence: Good listener with excellent organisational and time management skills. Desirable Desirable form/ certificates Interview/ certificates form/ interview form/ interview/test form/ interview/test form Interview Good presentation skills. Desirable Managing self and inspiring others: The ability to prioritise and use resources effectively. form/ interview Working together: Effective communication skills. The ability to work effectively with others as a competent team member. form/ interview form/ interview Organisational and stakeholder awareness: Ability to solve standard problems in accordance with procedures. Interview

5 Requirements are those, without which, a candidate would not be able to do the job. Applicants who have not clearly demonstrated in their application that they possess the essential requirements will normally be rejected at the shortlisting stage. Desirable Requirements are those that would be useful for the post holder to possess and will be considered when more than one applicant meets the essential requirements. Method of identification is where the selection panel will match the candidate s skills and abilities to the required criteria outlined (i.e. application form, interview, test)

6 UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER TERMS & CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT MARKETING, RECRUITMENT AND ADMISSIONS MARKET RESEARCH ASSISTANT SALARY SCALE University Scale OS5, points 15-18, 20,198-22,029 per annum payable monthly in arrears. RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT It is a requirement of this post that within 12 months of appointment, the post-holder should live within a 30 mile radius or within a one hour travelling time by public transport from the University. HOURS OF WORK Monday to Thursday 9.00am pm Friday 9.00am pm (less one hour lunch break each day) A flexible approach to work will be required as there may be occasions when it would be necessary for you to work additional hours as dictated by the workload. HOLIDAY ENTITLEMENT 22 days per annum (pro-rata during the commencement and cessation years), rising to 27 days after five years' continuous service. Two extra statutory days per annum during the Christmas period. MEDICAL EXAMINATION Successful candidates will be required to complete an Occupational Health questionnaire, and may be required to undergo a medical examination. ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATES Short-listed candidates will be asked to bring to interview, proof of qualifications as outlined on the Job Description and Person Specification provided. Upon appointment, copies of essential certificates will be required by HRM Services. PENSION SCHEME The University operates two pension schemes for support staff: The default scheme is the Higher Education Defined Contribution Scheme (HEDCS), which is administered by Friends Life. The Cheshire Local Government Pension Scheme, to which the University is an admitted body. All support staff are entitled to participate in one of these schemes. Some staff will be automatically enrolled into a scheme, depending on their age and earnings, but if they do not wish to remain a member of the scheme, they will be entitled to opt out after enrolment. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES The University has a policy of equal opportunity aimed at treating all applicants for employment fairly. SMOKING POLICY The University operates a No-Smoking policy. PROBATIONARY PERIOD A nine months' probationary period applies to all University posts.

7 CLOSING DATE Candidates should apply for this vacancy via our online recruitment website ( by Thursday 2 nd July 2015 quoting reference number HR14345.

8 PJ 03/06/2015