JMS Assistant Manager

Job description

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other.

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here

The Role and the Department

Durham University Business School is one of Durham University's four Faculties, known for its international reputation, impact on policy and practice, and a focus on ethics, responsibility and sustainability. Itaims to be a leading European business school by 2027.

The Business School hosts the editorial office of the Journal of Management Studies (JMS). JMS, which is governed by the Society for the Advancement of Management Studies (SAMS), is a leading international academic journal. It has one of the highest impact factors in management and business studies and is listed in the Financial Times' top 50 journals.

The JMS editorial office is responsible for the publication of the Journal of Management Studies and handles nearly 2,000 submissions per year. In addition, the office organises events and workshops worldwide and promotes the Journal's activities and published papers on social media. It also provides administrative support to the Society for the Advancement of Management Studies.

The postholder will work as an integral part of the Editorial Office team and will have responsibility for the day-to-day supervision of the Editorial Administrator, Editorial Assistant and JMS Marketing Coordinator. They will work with the editors, managing editor, and external stakeholders to coordinate and deliver JMS and SAMS events worldwide, both online and in-person, including the processing event-related payments and expenses. They will support the delivery of core editorial functions and contribute to the professional and efficient administrative and promotional service for the Journal of Management Studies and its governing organisation, SAMS.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:

• 27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On site nursery is available and access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16 throughout the year.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
• We offer generous pension schemes.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It's important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.

Your application should cover the following criteria:

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience
1. Five GCSE's at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or a Post-16 qualification or equivalent experience.
2. Experience and expertise in the development and delivery of administrative services and outreach activities.
3. Experience of providing advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues.
4. Experience of implementing policies and procedures.
5. Experience of supervising/managing a team and/or a line management qualification.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
6. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
7. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, business systems.
8. Committed to continuing professional development.
9. Ability to plan and organise events and activities involving the service.
10. Ability to solve problems as part of a team and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.
11. Ability to participate in networks to share and discuss good practice and exchange information.
12. Ability to contribute to operational planning activities.

Desirable Criteria

13. Experience of working in academic publishing or an editorial office.

14. Experience of dealing with international stakeholders.

How to apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence. Please don't forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.

Submitting your application

We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails

What you are required to submit:
• A CV
• A covering letter or statement which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification

Contact details

If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Margaret Turner (Managing Editor) would be happy to speak to you. Please contact her at [email protected]

Typical Role Requirements

Essential Criteria

Service Delivery
• Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values.
• Ensure that any procedures and expectations that apply throughout the University are reflected in all aspects of the service provided by the team and adapt ways of working where this is not evident.
• Manage, maintain and monitor designated systems to ensure safety, security and compliance.
• Provide the best possible service to editors, authors and reviewers by reviewing and making suggestions to improve the service.
• Collect, organise and analyse data and information (such as event feedback) accurately to provide reports and identify changes that will improve the service.
• Ensure that public areas are safe and secure and respond to and report any incidents.

• Implement any changes or processes to ensure the accuracy and integrity of data and information.

• Use your experience and problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve issues relevant to your role, such as venue selection, and make recommendations based on your findings.

• Enhance JMS, SAMS and Durham University's reputations by providing support to the running of internal and external outreach activities.

• Collect, organise, and record data and information accurately and provide reports and analysis of patterns and trends to internal and external stakeholders.

• Arrange travel and accommodation for team members as necessary.

• Undertake regular national and/or international travel.

• Work occasional weekends and evenings.

Planning and Organisation
• Plan, manage and deliver assigned projects, activities and events e.g. JMS Conference, Award presentations, online workshops in accordance with agreed objectives.
• Manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services and provide related advice and guidance to other staff.

• Work with the editors, managing editor and external stakeholders to organise and schedule events and activities, e.g. workshops and webinars.

Team Development
• Supervise team members and manage any other people/resources that are assigned to you and provide an initial response to any related HR issues.
• Explain systems and procedures to induct new starters into the team and provide specialist advice and guidance including training.
• Contribute to performance review processes by providing feedback on individual and team objectives and expectations and considering any development needs.

• Seek feedback from internal and external stakeholders on their requirements from your service and recommend improvements to senior colleagues.

Communication/Liaison
• Develop and improve services by taking part in meetings, working groups and committees.
• Liaise with other service areas to ensure the most diverse and accessible delivery and promotion of projects, events and initiatives.
• Create good working relationships, including internal and external networks which allow you to increase your knowledge and skills, while swapping information with peers.
• Act as a key point of contact between SAMS and JMS and internal and external stakeholders, including suppliers and partner organisations.
• Build relationships with contacts and contribute to internal and external networks to share good practice, exchange information and work together on joint initiatives.
• Contribute to internal and external presentations and public relations events promoting JMS, SAMS and Durham University's reputation and encouraging participation.

• Update and apply changes to processes and procedures.

• Record information such as bookings for activities/events and share with internal partners.

• Contribute and engage with internal and external stakeholders on promotional activities and events, e.g. video recording, editing and distribution.

• Any other reasonable duties.

Useful links

If you would like further information, you may find the following will help:

Society for the Advancement of Management Studies: http://www.socadms.org.uk/

Journal of Management Studies: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/14676486

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.