Introduction to HE for Professional Services Staff

This is a joint event and open to members of both AUDE and UHR

Friday 7th June -  Leeds (a map and travel directions can be found here)

Registration from 10am ready for a 10.30am start with an approximate finish time of 4pm.  Refreshments (including a buffet lunch) will be provided.

The Cost

The cost of the one day programme, including lunch and refreshments is fully funded by UHR as part of its commitment to provide high quality, affordable and relevant continuing professional development for its members.

Programme Aim

This is a one day development event aimed at all professional services staff within their first year of working in HE, who need to grasp the complexities and political environment of HE, and the implications for operating and influencing effectively.  

The morning will comprise of the following sessions:

 An overview of UK Higher Education

This overview of how UK HE operates will touch on the differences and similarities of other sectors; HE governance, funding, sustainability; the different culture and structure seen in ‘pre and ‘post’ 1992 HEIs; charitable status; accounting and public body status; competition and collaboration; freedom of action and constraints; procurement; acronyms; and types of qualifications.  There will be a brief horizon scan, and a round-up of key challenges facing HE now and over the next five years, including the implications of Brexit.

Speakers: Diane Gilhooley | Global Practice Group Head of Human Resources and Pensions | Head of Education Sector | Eversheds Sutherland and Michelle Leek PVC at the University of Cumbria 

The culture of the sector and the skills required to operate effectively within it (PART 1)

This session will explore some of the skills needed to operate effectively within HE, including persuasion versus coercion; building relationships; offering reasoned argument; the hare versus the tortoise …. and how Professional Service Staff can evaluate and introduce new theories, practices and trends to support organisational strategy in an academically challenging and intellectually rigorous environment. This will focus on the broad professional skills needed.

Speaker: Michelle Leek PVC at the University of Cumbria 

After lunch different functional colleagues (UHR and AUDE) will convene separately for the afternoon programme. 

The HR element will run as follows:

The cultural implications for HR professionals & how to operate effectively

Presenters will cover the constraints and opportunities for HR operating in HE, how HR practice is affected by Statutes and Ordinances; work permits; REF & TEF; the ‘National Framework Agreement’ and national negotiations over pay; work on grading; terms & conditions; managing performance; managing change; pension schemes, as well as highlighting differences across the devolved administrations.

The culture of the sector and the skills required to operate effectively within it (PART 2)

This session will continue to explore some of the skills required to operate effectively in HE, and how HR can evaluate and introduce new theories, practices and trends in organisations perceived as resistant to change, and led by ‘knowledge’ workers.

Speakers: Jayne Billam HR Director (NTU), Siobhan Campbell HR Director (Huddersfield), Jane Embley Director of HR and OD (Northumbria) 

 Question Time Panel: ‘Grill an HR Director’

Speakers to join the panel, chaired by Diane Gilhooley. 

This is an opportunity for delegates to pose any remaining questions about operating effectively within the HE sector to a panel of seasoned HR Directors and legal expert.

The AUDE element will run as follows:

Question Time: ‘Grill an Estates Director’

This is an opportunity for delegates to pose any remaining questions about operating effectively within the HE sector to a Director of Estates. AUDE's Executive Director Jane White will also be available for delegates to ask any questions about AUDE. 

Speakers: Steve Gilley, Director of Estates, University of Leeds and Jane White, Executive Director AUDE

Who should attend?

This programme is open to all professional services staff.  If you wish to enquire about the suitability of the programme for yourself or a colleague, please contact naomi@uhr.ac.uk or corinne@aude.ac.uk 

Please note, in order to book a place on this event you will need a UHR or AUDE website user account.  If you do not yet have an account you have 2 choices:

UHR

1. If you would like a full website account, please contact your HR Director who needs to authorise the request by emailing admin@uhr.ac.uk.
2. If you just wish to book on this event, then please visit the quick registration page where you can set up an account just for booking events.

AUDE

Please click here to register for an account.

To be sure of a place, early booking is recommended.