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- Tasks: Lead academic operations and ensure high standards in teaching and learning.
- Company: Join William College, a dynamic private institution focused on academic excellence and student success.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, discounts, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a growing institution shaping future leaders in law and justice.
- Qualifications: Must hold a doctoral degree and have significant academic leadership experience.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence curriculum development and expand educational programmes.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 72000 £ per year.
Location: William College, Stratford
Reporting To: Director / BOG
Contract: Fulltime / Flexible
Salary: £72k-£81k Per annum
About Us:
William College is a dynamic, forward-looking private higher education institution offering high-quality UK degree programmes in collaboration with UK universities. Currently, we deliver Business Management (Law) and LLB Law degrees with a Foundation as a franchise provider, placing strong emphasis on academic excellence, student achievement, and professional development. With a student community of just over 1,000, we are a small but ambitious institution. As part of our strategic growth and diversification plan, we are actively exploring the introduction of Criminology and Policing programmes to further strengthen our portfolio in law, justice, and public service education.
About you:
We are looking for an ambitious and experienced academic leader who thrives in dynamic and multi-sector environments. You will have a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities in both private education and public universities, and the ability to navigate complex regulatory frameworks with confidence. You will be a strategic thinker with a proven ability to drive academic excellence while maintaining commercial awareness. Must have a strong understanding of partnership relationships to ensure strong student outcomes. You will be confident in managing relationships with university partners and regulatory bodies, and capable of inspiring academic teams to achieve high standards in teaching, learning, and student outcomes.
The Role:
We are seeking an exceptional and experienced academic leader to join us as executive dean. The successful candidate will oversee all academic operations, ensuring the highest academic standards, regulatory compliance, and strong collaborative relationships with our UK university partner and relevant regulatory bodies. This role will play a critical part in the continued development and growth of the institution.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide strategic leadership and academic oversight across all faculties and programmes including curriculum development, quality assurance, pedagogy, teaching and learning, and enhancing of the students’ academic experience.
- Ensure full compliance with academic and regulatory frameworks including OfS, and franchise provisions.
- Have a strong understanding of partnership relationships to ensure strong student outcomes.
- Lead the quality assurance processes and oversee periodic review and revalidation cycles in collaboration with the partner university.
- Foster a culture of academic excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Lead on the development and implementation of academic policies and procedures.
- Support student success and ensure an excellent academic and student experience.
- Provide academic leadership in institutional strategy, governance, and planning.
- Represent the College with regulatory and accreditation bodies.
- Mentor and develop academic teams, ensuring professional development and high performance.
- Actively contribute to business development strategies, including programme expansion and academic collaborations.
Person Specification:
Essential:
- A doctoral degree or equivalent academic qualification.
- Significant academic leadership experience in both the private higher education sector and public universities.
- Strong knowledge of the UK higher education regulatory framework (OfS) and franchise provision arrangements.
- Experience of managing relationships with partner universities, particularly in franchised programme delivery.
- Proven track record in quality assurance, academic governance, and academic development.
- Demonstrable experience in curriculum development and programme validation processes.
- Strong leadership, strategic planning, and decision-making abilities.
- Outstanding communication and stakeholder management skills.
Desirable:
- Experience of working in an international or transnational education environment.
- Knowledge and understanding of legal education and professional pathways in the UK.
- Experience in leading programme expansions or new market development.
Qualifications Required:
A doctoral degree (PhD, EdD or equivalent) is essential. Professional recognition (e.g., Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy) would be an advantage.
Benefits:
- Annual leave (5.6 weeks) + bank holidays.
- Workplace pension scheme.
- Company Sick Policy.
- Statutory maternity/paternity pays.
- Career development opportunities.
- Training and self-development opportunities.
- Gym membership discounts.
- Retail discount schemes.
- Cinema discounts.
- Grocery discounts.
- Cycle to work.
- Investing and savings opportunities.
- Financial wellbeing – personal debt advice.
- Financial wellbeing education.
- My Mind Pal (mental fitness).
Executive Dean employer: William College
Contact Detail:
William College Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Dean
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the higher education sector, especially those who have experience in both private and public institutions. Attend relevant conferences or seminars to connect with potential colleagues and partners, as these relationships can be crucial for your success in the Executive Dean role.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the UK higher education regulatory framework, particularly the Office for Students (OfS) guidelines. Understanding these regulations will not only help you navigate compliance but also demonstrate your commitment to maintaining high academic standards.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills by discussing your previous experiences in mentoring academic teams and driving quality assurance processes. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've inspired teams to achieve excellence in teaching and learning.
✨Tip Number 4
Research William College's current programmes and their strategic growth plans. Being knowledgeable about their offerings and future directions will allow you to tailor your discussions during interviews, showing that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Dean
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your academic leadership experience and aligns with the specific requirements of the Executive Dean role. Emphasise your understanding of both private education and public universities, as well as your experience in managing partnerships.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should reflect your strategic thinking and ability to drive academic excellence. Use specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your capability in navigating regulatory frameworks and fostering strong student outcomes.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your doctoral degree and any professional recognitions, such as a Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. This will reinforce your credibility and suitability for the role.
Showcase Leadership Skills: In your application, provide examples of how you have mentored academic teams and contributed to institutional strategy. Highlight your decision-making abilities and how they have led to successful outcomes in previous roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at William College
✨Research the Institution
Before your interview, take the time to thoroughly research William College. Understand its mission, values, and current academic offerings. Familiarising yourself with their strategic growth plans, especially regarding new programmes like Criminology and Policing, will show your genuine interest and alignment with their goals.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
As an Executive Dean, showcasing your previous leadership roles is crucial. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully led academic teams, driven curriculum development, or navigated regulatory frameworks. Highlighting your ability to inspire and mentor others will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Prepare for Regulatory Questions
Given the importance of compliance in this role, be ready to discuss your understanding of the UK higher education regulatory framework, particularly OfS. Share experiences where you ensured compliance and how you managed relationships with regulatory bodies, as this will demonstrate your capability in handling complex challenges.
✨Showcase Strategic Thinking
The role requires a strategic thinker, so come prepared with ideas on how you would enhance academic excellence and student outcomes at William College. Discuss your vision for the institution's future and how you plan to contribute to its growth and diversification, particularly in relation to partnerships and programme expansions.
