At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage foundation year programmes, ensuring an outstanding start for students.
- Company: Join a dynamic educational institution partnered with Bath Spa University.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days annual leave, flexible benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' educational journeys and help shape their futures.
- Qualifications: Master’s degree, leadership experience, and a passion for enhancing student learning.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace committed to diversity and personal development.
The predicted salary is between 62000 - 75000 £ per year.
Department: Academic – as part of our partnership with Bath Spa University (BSU)
Location: Any GBS UK campus (On-Site)
Salary: £72,000 - £75,000 per annum
Type of Contract: Full-Time, Permanent (40 hours per week)
Our Vision: Changing lives through education
The role: We are seeking an Associate Dean to provide leadership and management for the foundation year provision of one or more higher education programmes delivered as part of our partnership with BSU. A key focus of the role is to ensure that students are provided with an outstanding start to their higher education journey and are enabled to achieve their educational and professional goals. The role involves ensuring the delivery of student-centred learning whilst maintaining academic standards. Please note this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
Role Responsibilities:
- Provide leadership and day-to-day management for staff involved in the delivery of foundation year provision across all GBS campuses, ensuring effective programme operation and coordination with partner institutions.
- Promote and enhance the quality of learning, teaching, and assessment to ensure students receive an excellent foundation year experience.
- Ensure the quality of provision results in key performance indicators for attendance, continuation, progression, and achievement being met.
- Ensure that academic standards and partner institution marking criteria are consistently met through the assessment process.
- Act as a key liaison with the partner institution, attending meetings and preparing high-quality reports to support collaboration.
- Address student issues professionally using appropriate policies and encourage effective use of available learning resources for both students and staff.
Essential Skills And Experience:
- Master’s degree qualification or above.
- Previous experience of leading and managing staff and programme management.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with an enthusiastic approach.
- Experience of upholding academic standards and enhancing the student learning experience.
- Experience of working in partnership with universities and other higher education related organisations.
- Knowledge and understanding of implementing internal and external quality assurance processes including those set out by the QAA and OfS.
- Recognised teaching qualification, for example, with the HEA.
Desirable Skills And Experience:
- PhD qualification.
- Experience of quality assurance reviews, for example by the QAA or OfS.
- External examining at UK universities and other higher education providers.
- Senior leadership experience of leading through a period of significant change.
What we offer:
- Time off that fits your lifestyle - 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays), 1-day extra leave per year of service (up to 5 days) and Buy/Sell additional holidays (up to 5 days).
- Opportunities for growth - Tuition reimbursement for career development courses and support to gain Fellowship from Advance HE.
- Pension Scheme and Flexible Benefits (via salary sacrifice) - Cycle to Work, Workplace Nursery, Tech scheme, Health and Dental cover, Women's Health scheme (via Hertility) and much more.
- Savings and wellbeing support - Perks@Work discounts platform, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), discounted gym membership and much more.
- Reward for your impact - discretionary annual performance bonus, annual salary review, £500 award employee referral scheme.
GBS is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and providing a workplace free from discrimination or harassment. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities. We take our core values seriously and work hard to create an environment where everyone feels welcomed.
Associate Dean - Foundation Year employer: GBS
Contact Detail:
GBS Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Dean - Foundation Year
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at GBS or Bath Spa University. A friendly chat can give us insider info on the role and help us stand out when we apply.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the foundation year programmes. We should be ready to discuss how we can enhance student experiences and uphold academic standards, showing that we’re the perfect fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice our communication skills! As an Associate Dean, we’ll need to convey ideas clearly and inspire others. Mock interviews with friends can help us nail our delivery and boost our confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed. Plus, we can keep track of our application status easily.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Dean - Foundation Year
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Associate Dean role. Highlight your leadership experience and how it aligns with our vision of changing lives through education. We want to see how you can contribute to our foundation year programmes!
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate how your skills have made a difference in previous roles. Use specific examples that reflect your ability to uphold academic standards and enhance the student learning experience. We love seeing real impact!
Be Professional Yet Personable: While we appreciate professionalism, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. We’re looking for someone who can connect with students and staff alike, so show us your communication style and enthusiasm for education in your application.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our organisation there!
How to prepare for a job interview at GBS
✨Know Your Programmes Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the foundation year programmes offered in partnership with Bath Spa University. Familiarise yourself with the curriculum, teaching methods, and assessment criteria. This will not only show your commitment but also help you articulate how you can enhance the student experience.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an Associate Dean, you'll be leading staff and managing programmes. Prepare examples of your previous leadership experiences, particularly in educational settings. Think about challenges you've faced and how you successfully navigated them, as this will demonstrate your capability to lead effectively.
✨Emphasise Student-Centred Learning
Be ready to discuss how you would promote and enhance the quality of learning and teaching. Share specific strategies you've implemented in the past that have positively impacted student engagement and success. This will highlight your focus on providing an outstanding foundation year experience.
✨Prepare for Quality Assurance Questions
Given the importance of maintaining academic standards, brush up on your knowledge of internal and external quality assurance processes. Be prepared to discuss how you've upheld these standards in previous roles and how you plan to ensure compliance with QAA and OfS requirements in this position.