Skills and Apprenticeships Systems Officer (0225-26) - Derby, DE22 1GB

Skills and Apprenticeships Systems Officer (0225-26) - Derby, DE22 1GB

About the University

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes. 

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

About the College/Department

The Registry support all aspects of the student journey, right from initial enquiry and application, all the way through to final award and student completion. We strive to provide an outstanding service to all our users and to be thought leaders in our fields of expertise, developing research informed practise. Registry teams work collaboratively with stakeholders to deliver a high-performance culture that promotes wellbeing, diversity and opportunity for all, supporting excellent student experience.

About the Skills and Apprenticeships team

The Skills and Apprenticeships team plays a critical role in supporting the delivery of the University's Further Education, Skills and Apprenticeship provision. The team is responsible for ensuring the integrity of learner records, compliance with funding and regulatory requirements, management information reporting, and the effective operation of specialist FE and Skills systems.

Working closely with academic departments, curriculum teams, employers, external agencies and Digital Solutions & Services (DS&S), the team supports the University's commitment to delivering a high-quality, compliant and data-driven apprenticeship and skills service. As the University continues to grow and transform its Skills and Apprenticeship provision, the team is increasingly focused on improving systems, enhancing data quality, streamlining processes and maximising the value of digital technologies.

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Registry as a Skills and Apprenticeships Systems Officer, supporting the effective operation of the University's FE and Skills systems landscape.

Working as part of the Skills and Apprenticeships Systems team, you will provide day-to-day operational support across a range of specialist systems, helping to ensure data is accurate, processes run effectively and users receive timely support. You will work closely with colleagues across Registry, curriculum teams and our apprenticeship provision to maintain high-quality services and support compliance, reporting and operational activities.

This role plays an important part in supporting the effective operation of FE and Skills systems, providing first-line support to users and helping to ensure systems run smoothly on a day-to-day basis. Responsibilities include responding to user queries, monitoring system activity, managing routine imports and exports, and resolving system issues.

The postholder will also carry out data quality checks to maintain the accuracy and integrity of information, produce reports and data extracts to support operational and compliance requirements, and administer user accounts and access permissions. In addition, they will maintain user guides and process documentation, contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, and identify opportunities to enhance processes and system performance, escalating more complex issues where required.

This role offers an excellent opportunity to develop specialist knowledge of FE and Skills systems, apprenticeship administration, data quality, compliance processes and educational technology. The successful candidate will gain experience working across a diverse systems landscape and will play an important role in supporting a service that underpins Skills and Apprenticeship delivery across the University.

Anticipated interview date: Friday 4th September 2026

This role can be primarily based at either our Buxton campus or Derby campus.

If you are successful, you will be required to undertake a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. However, should you choose to be based at our Buxton site, the role will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Any information you provide will be treated in confidence and only used when considering your suitability for the post.

To enable us to process your DBS check please ensure you are able to supply the documentation listed on the DBS website at interview stage.

About You

We are looking for a proactive and customer-focused individual who enjoys working with systems, data and technology to deliver an efficient and high-quality service. You will have experience supporting users, responding to queries and working with business systems in a busy operational environment, with a strong eye for detail and a methodical approach to problem solving.

The successful candidate will be confident working with data, maintaining high levels of accuracy, and using IT applications, including Microsoft Excel, to support business processes. You will be organised and adaptable, capable of managing competing priorities while maintaining excellent attention to detail and meeting deadlines.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential, as you will work closely with both technical and non-technical colleagues, building positive relationships and providing professional, timely support. You will also understand the importance of data quality, confidentiality and information governance, and be able to investigate and resolve routine issues, escalating more complex matters where appropriate.

Applicants should hold A Levels (or equivalent qualifications) or be able to demonstrate relevant experience, together with GCSE English and Mathematics at Grade C/4 or above (or equivalent). Experience of working with educational, apprenticeship or student records systems would be advantageous.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop specialist knowledge of FE and Skills systems, data management, reporting and apprenticeship administration within a Higher Education environment.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
• Discounted onsite gym
• Cycle to Work scheme
• A flexible working environment
• A commitment to personal and professional development

Key Contact

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Paul Grocott, Operational Compliance Manager (Skills & Apprenticeships) via [email protected]

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via [email protected]

Important Information

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Please visit our website for more information.

If you are successful, you will be required to undertake a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. However, should you choose to be based at our Buxton site, the role will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Any information you provide will be treated in confidence and only used when considering your suitability for the post.

To enable us to process your DBS check please ensure you are able to supply the documentation listed on the DBS website at interview stage.

The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.

Please find our Safeguarding pages including our Safeguarding Policy here.

Closing Date: 23 Aug 2026

Area: Operational Support

Salary: £26,981 to £28,213 per annum
(for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £32,445 per annum)