Associate Dean – Academic Excellence (Curriculum and Assessment)

Role Purpose
The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership in curriculum and assessment enhancement across the institution, ensuring that all programmes and assessments are fit for purpose, inclusive, and aligned with institutional and regulatory standards. They will develop and maintain robust systems for curriculum and assessment design, review, and enhancement, embedding best practice, innovation, and continuous improvement. The role will drive the integration of EDI, ethics, digital technologies (including generative AI), student voice, employability, and PSRB requirements into all curriculum and assessment processes. The postholder will model a well-organised, ethical, and kind approach, with honesty in feedback, attention to detail, and a focus on deadlines and impact.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for curriculum and assessment quality, ensuring robust systems for design, review, and enhancement.
• Devise and implement standard operating procedures to ensure staff are quickly and successfully integrated into GBS’s approach to curriculum and assessment design and delivery.
• Audit and enhance Faculty- and ASQO-based curriculum design processes, identifying opportunities for a centralised, facilitative approach.
• Collaborate with ASQO to develop and maintain a calendar of curriculum and assessment activities, and to design and update audit tools and operating procedures.
• Ensure all curriculum and assessments are fit for purpose, reflecting student profile, time constraints, EDI, ethics, technological developments (including generative AI), student voice, employability, and PSRB requirements.
• Lead the audit and review of existing curriculum and assessments, embedding principles of inclusivity, ethics, and innovation.
• Coordinate curriculum and assessment enhancement networks and training, identifying and sharing best practice across all Faculties.
• Develop and deliver regular curriculum and assessment development seminars, informed by current research and best practice, both internally and externally.
• Collaborate with the Projects and Research Coordinator to track and report on the impact of curriculum and assessment initiatives.
• Participate (or delegate) in Faculty Editorial Boards and Departmental training events, supporting curriculum and assessment updates and staff development.
• Carry out teaching observations as required, using established tracking processes.
• Work collaboratively with learning technologists to further develop the use of digital technologies (especially Moodle) in curriculum and assessment design.
• Contribute to external processes and evaluations, including those required for Degree Awarding Powers and TEF.
• Foster a culture of openness, kindness, and honesty in feedback, with a strong focus on attention to detail, deadlines, and ethical practice.
• Champion and embed equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in all aspects of curriculum and assessment.
• Undertake travel as required to support delivery across campuses.
• Perform any other duties as may reasonably be required, including administrative duties appropriate to the role.

Essential Skills And Experience

• Doctorate (PhD or Professional Doctorate) or equivalent evidence of professional experience and profile commensurate with a senior leadership role.
• Recognised teaching qualification.
• Substantial regulatory/inspection experience in higher education.
• Proven management and leadership experience, including leading teams and delivering performance improvements.
• Demonstrable experience in curriculum and assessment design, review, and enhancement.
• Experience in developing and delivering staff development and training programmes.
• Strong commitment to ethical practice, kindness, and honesty in feedback.
• Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail, and ability to meet deadlines.
• Track record of embedding EDI in academic practice.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders.

Desirable Skills And Experience

• Experience of working with external partners and networks.
• Experience in policy development and implementation in academic settings.
• Familiarity with digital and data-driven approaches to curriculum and assessment enhancement.

Key Result Areas

• Successful implementation and continuous improvement of curriculum and assessment design, review, and enhancement systems.
• Delivery and measurable impact of curriculum and assessment development seminars and training.
• Evidence of improved curriculum coherence, assessment quality, and student outcomes across the institution.
• Demonstrated leadership in embedding curriculum and assessment enhancement in Faculty policy and culture.
• Positive feedback from staff and stakeholders on the effectiveness and ethos of the curriculum and assessment function.
• Clear evidence of EDI, ethics, and digital innovation embedded in all aspects of the role.

Other Information

• The Associate Dean – Academic Excellence (Curriculum and Assessment) will also be expected to demonstrate their commitment to GBS values and regulations, including equal opportunities policy.
• To GBS’s Social, Economic and Environmental responsibilities and minimise environmental impact in the performance of the role and actively contribute to the delivery of GBS’s Environmental Policy.
• To their Health and Safety responsibilities to ensure their contribution to a safe and secure working environment for staff, students, and other visitors to the campus.

What We Offer

• 25 days annual leave, plus 8 public holidays.
• 1-day extra leave per year of service, up to a maximum of 5 days.
• Workplace pension scheme.
• Tuition reimbursement for career development courses.
• Flexible Benefits: Cycle to Work, Workplace Nursery, Tech scheme and much more.
• Perks@Work discounts platform, wellbeing centre and much more.
• Reward and recognition programme.
• £500 award employee referral scheme.
• Discretionary annual performance bonus.