Ian Dunn, Chief Operating Officer, today announced plans for a change to the Professional Services Leadership Team organisation structure which will fully take effect from 1 September.
Since joining the University in January 2016, Ian has been working with colleagues in his teams and UEB to develop a focused Professional Service that seamlessly supports Southampton’s mission, is fit-for-purpose and provides a high performing foundation from which to implement improvements to the way the University operates.
Ian said,
“The University has a clear vision and mission with a new strategy and is working on a 10 year implementation plan. As part of our journey towards a sustainable top 10 ranking in the UK and top 100 internationally, Professional Services must truly enable the successful delivery of research, education and enterprise objectives. To do this, and to be sustainable in a fast changing world, we must provide highly efficient and effective support services across our entire portfolio”.
To this effect, two new directorate groupings will be formed under new positions focused on the Student Experience and on Advancement and Engagement. Ian added,
“A positive student experience is fundamental to our success as a University and the grouping of Student and Academic Administration, Student Services with Student Recruitment and International Relations aligns with this objective. Engaging cohesively and dynamically with a diversifying and growing audience, including embracing our alumni as a fully participative and contributive community of the University, is behind the grouping of Communications and Marketing with the Office of Development and Alumni Relations.”
Strategy and the Project Management Office (PMO) have already moved alongside Human Resources within an over-arching People and Alignment grouping. Planning and Institutional Research have joined Finance to become Finance, Planning and Analytics.
Ian explained,
“Combining Strategy and the PMO with our People function allows us to develop the supporting framework, staff development, change management and alignment required to deliver our 10 year plan. Pulling together the Finance, Planning and Institutional Research teams allows continued growth towards a highly effective financial and business planning capability with the expectation of significant University-wide changes and investments ahead of us.”
“Last, but by no means least, we will also continue to explore how best to apply the breakthrough skills of the ILIaD team as the technology of teaching, education and student engagement continues to develop apace”.
Top level organisation charts can be found here and if you have any questions about these changes please do ask your Line Manager or feel free to contact Ian directly on [email protected]