University Studies
Head of Academic Department
West Suffolk College Overview
Our Mission Our Mission is to provide outstanding education for students throughout our community in order for them to become both fulfilled and play their part in being the drivers of our region’s economy.
Our Vision Our vision is to be the centre of a hub of outstanding education and training in East Anglia by working in a wide collaborative network, creating coherent provision across the region.
Our Three Pillars Connections Our students can expect support in making excellent connections with employers in order to maximise opportunities for their future.
Qualifications Our students will achieve the most appropriate qualifications completed to the very best of their ability.
Character Strengths Our students will be able to show employers and universities that they have the strength of character to shine out above the rest and live as independent thinkers, confident in their choices and actions. Our Character Strengths are:
• Resilience • Optimism • Curiosity • Confidence • Ownership • Self-Control • Ambition and Respect
University Studies at West Suffolk College At West Suffolk College we are reimagining Higher Education. We believe University isn’t just about complex courses. It’s about curating a transformational experience that’s capable of changing lives and life chances.
That’s why we’re developing vocational degrees aimed at getting learners into high-skilled jobs, degrees that develop the whole person and that are linked to real prospects in the region. We want learners to be able to engage with what we do at any life stage, whatever their circumstances. And we’re doing it all in partnership with the University of East Anglia, who awards the degrees our students earn with us.
As an organisation we already send more than three quarters of our students into the world with first- class or 2:1 honours degrees, and we already have one of the highest National Student Survey scores in the region. But we know we can do more.
July 2020
University Studies
So, over the next few years we’re embarking on an ambitious programme of development and change, growing our digital capacity, strengthening our teaching and learning strategy, and building a muscular student support offer linked to real employment opportunities in the region.
We’re looking for talented people who are passionate about growing a student-centred higher education offer in Suffolk, who share our commitment to excellence, growth, and facilitating outstanding long-term outcomes for our learners.
ABOUT THE JOB
Job description: The Heads of Academic Department lead teams of academic staff, owning the budget, line-management responsibilities and growth agenda in their area. They are responsible to the Executive Dean for ensuring their department meets is overall annual targets, and have the authority and autonomy to develop their teams and course portfolios to this end. The Head will have particular responsibility for establishing a recruitment pipeline for the courses in their remit, working with Student Recruitment to design and deliver effective recruitment activities. As part of the University Studies Management Team, the Heads will work closely with the Vice Dean Teaching and Learning and the Associate Dean Student Experience to ensure strategic initiatives are operationalised at Departmental level, via Course Leads and others.
Working Arrangement: Full time at the University Centre/STEM Campus. Responsible to: Executive Dean of Higher Education
MAIN PURPOSE: To oversee a discrete disciplinary area, managing human and financial resources to deliver agreed KPI targets, develop staff, and operationalise strategy.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Participate as a member of University Studies Management Team to operationalise University Studies strategy.
2. Work closely with the Executive Dean and Student Recruitment colleagues to support the rapid growth of University Studies, being responsive to emergent challenges in both the College and the sector.
3. Working with the Senior Leadership Team for University Studies and in line with College KPIs, develop a vision for your department and co-ordinate your team to realise measurable development in our HE provision.
4. Line-manage academic staff within their department, managing staff-appointment priorities in conversation with the Executive Dean and Director of Operations (HE), ensuring that the annual performance review process is undertaken in an appropriate and timely way.
5. Contribute to University Studies overall annual monitoring and planning activities, including the setting of targets.
6. Own responsibility for the delivery of the department’s strategic targets, and for designing and delivering responsive measures where appropriate.
July 2020
University Studies 7. Ensure that the department is continuously reviewing its teaching offer, and to work with the Associate Deans for Student Experience and Learning and Teaching to support Programme Leaders in the development and revision of our courses.
8. Work with the Executive Dean to develop and extend the programme portfolio of the department, where appropriate.
9. Be responsible for the fair and equitable allocation of teaching and academic-administration among academic departmental staff, using University Studies’ workload model
10. Promote collegial working within the department, resolving any conflicts promptly and informally, where possible, and following College process where appropriate.
11. Ensure the provision of essential, accurate and up-to-date information about the department to University Studies and the College.
12. Promote innovation across the Department’s teaching portfolio, supporting the Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning in the identification and dissemination of good academic practice— pedagogically, pastorally, and procedurally.
13. Work effectively as a member of the University Studies Management Team in the operational leadership of HE, chairing regular Departmental Committee Meetings and other University Studies Committees, Sub Committees and working groups as required.
14. Maintain a budget in accordance with the College’s financial regulations and ensure that procurement procedures are followed at all times.
15. Contribute to the academic teaching activities of the department.
16. Model the College’s core values, ensuring these are embedded in the ethos and activities of the department.
17. Promote equality, diversity and inclusion for staff and students
This job description sets out the major duties and responsibilities within the post. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list. It is assumed that other duties of a similar level or nature undertaken are not excluded simply because they are not itemised.
Duties of the post could vary from time to time as the result of new legislation, changes in technology, policy or for other business reasons. In these circumstances training to undertake new roles will be offered.
ABOUT YOU Qualifications • Degree in Business / Business and Finance or equivalent • Recognised Teaching Qualification • Management Qualification desired
July 2020
University Studies Experience • Credible record of setting, reviewing and achieving (and exceeding) KPIs • Experience of developing, implementing, reviewing and delivering successful improvement / change management programmes • Experience of successfully coaching, mentoring and challenging others in a learning environment. • Achieved high levels of professional credibility within the education environment • Experience of working with academics and students to shape and implement long-term strategy • Significant experience in identifying potential students, developing a credible pipeline and successful student resourcing • Reasonable experience of working with Universities to develop high quality educational experiences • Experience of running quality enhancement processes in a Higher Education environment, including committees, documenting and managing actions. • Experience of significantly contributing to running departments, managing budgets, people and resources effectively • Experience of project and programme management
Abilities Skills and Knowledge • Highly skilled at evaluating an educational provision and developing, and implementation of, a student resourcing strategy • Familiarity with the administrative and management systems of the University, able to effectively contribute to programme, department, Faculty and University-level committees and working groups • Ability to prioritise, work efficiently and accurately, particularly under pressure, to deadlines and using own initiative • Effective partnership / networking skills – able to build and draw on the strengths of others to generate outstanding results • Skilled in developing a culture of outstanding performance and supporting improvements in standards, in teaching and learning and in behaviour • Ability to manage difficult situations and make good decisions, academic and management related • Ability to communicate a clear vision and expectations, setting clear KPI’s for departmental and individual performance • Ability to identify and manage risks, financial and non financial • Have a good understanding of financial systems, ability to develop manage and review budgets • Commitment to contribute to University wide communication and engagement initiatives • Ability to build strong working relationships with trust board members, local governors, headteachers/Principals and academy staff • Knowledge and understanding of people, governance and compliance • Strong verbal and written communication skills • Excellent IT skills, including the ability to use social media to enhance the Universities reputation and improve the learning experience • Ability to interpret complex data July 2020
University Studies • Excellent report writing and analytical skills • Excellent interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence • Able to hold others responsible for continually demonstrating our Character Strengths • Being available and approachable to staff and stakeholders at all levels • Highest levels of integrity and probity and a commitment to highest levels of effort, endeavour and focus on standards PERSONAL QUALITIES • A firm belief in the values and Character Strengths of WSC and natural ability to demonstrate them • A strong commitment to WSC and its strategic objectives • A positive mindset and a good work companion
July 2020