The Course Director is responsible for providing academic, operational and pastoral leadership for Public Health programmes, ensuring an outstanding student experience from recruitment through to graduation. The role requires a highly proactive, hands-on and approachable individual who can build strong relationships with students, academic staff and professional services while fostering a supportive, inclusive and high-performing learning community.
Rather than being solely a subject expert, the Course Director acts as a leader, mentor, problem-solver and ambassador for the programme, ensuring that students feel valued, supported and empowered to achieve their potential.
Key Responsibilities
Student Leadership and Support
- Build strong, trusting relationships with students through regular visibility, accessibility and open communication.
- Create a welcoming, inclusive and supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable seeking advice and guidance.
- Identify students who may require additional academic or personal support and work collaboratively to ensure timely interventions.
- Encourage student engagement, motivation and belonging throughout the student journey.
- Act as a role model who demonstrates professionalism, empathy, integrity and respect.
Academic Leadership
- Lead the day-to-day management and continuous improvement of Public Health programmes.
- Coordinate teaching teams to ensure consistency, quality and an excellent student learning experience.
- Monitor student progress, attendance, engagement and achievement, implementing early support where required.
- Ensure assessments are delivered fairly, consistently and in accordance with university regulations.
- Promote innovative teaching practices and active learning.
- Support, motivate and develop academic staff through coaching, mentoring and constructive feedback.
- Foster a collaborative culture where colleagues share ideas, resources and best practice.
- Lead regular programme meetings and encourage open communication across the teaching team.
- Work closely with professional services to resolve issues quickly and effectively.
Student Experience
- Champion an exceptional student experience at every stage.
- Listen carefully to student feedback and respond positively to concerns.
- Develop initiatives that improve student satisfaction, engagement and retention.
- Celebrate student achievements and encourage participation in wider university activities.
Quality Enhancement
- Monitor programme quality and implement improvements based on evidence and feedback.
- Ensure compliance with university quality assurance processes and external regulatory requirements.
- Contribute to curriculum enhancement and programme development.
External Engagement
- Build positive relationships with employers, community organisations and public sector partners.
- Represent the programme professionally at recruitment events, open days and stakeholder meetings.
- Promote opportunities for students to engage with real-world public health practice.
Personal Attributes
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- A genuinely student-centred approach.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Warmth, empathy and emotional intelligence.
- Initiative and the ability to solve problems independently.
- A proactive, energetic and positive attitude.
- Flexibility and willingness to support wherever needed.
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Confidence in making decisions while remaining approachable.
- Resilience and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
- Professional credibility combined with humility and openness.
- The ability to inspire confidence among students and colleagues.
- A collaborative leadership style that values teamwork and inclusion.
- Ability to build rapport quickly with students from diverse backgrounds.
- Excellent relationship management skills.
- Strong organisational and planning ability.
- Effective leadership and team coordination.
- Ability to prioritise competing demands.
- Skilled in coaching and mentoring colleagues.
- Solution-focused with excellent judgement.
- Commitment to continuous improvement.
What Success Looks Like
A successful Course Director is someone who:
- Is visible, approachable and trusted by students.
- Knows students by name whenever possible and understands their individual needs.
- Creates a culture where students feel supported, listened to and motivated.
- Acts quickly when problems arise rather than waiting for issues to escalate.
- Builds a positive and collaborative teaching team.
- Maintains high academic standards while treating people with kindness, fairness and respect.
- Balances operational responsibilities with genuine care for the wellbeing and success of students.
- Leads through influence, example and service rather than authority alone.
This role is ultimately about people. While knowledge of Public Health provides the context, success as a Course Director depends primarily on the ability to lead with empathy, communicate effectively, build meaningful relationships, solve problems proactively and create an environment in which both students and colleagues can thrive.
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