Academic Director

Contract type: Full-time, Permanent

Location: University of Huddersfield – London Campus, Stratford, Greater London

Study Group will deliver a selection of post-graduate and under-graduate courses for the University of Huddersfield (UoH) at its brand-new Business and Technology School in London. Several pathway programmes designed to progress to these courses will also be offered. The campus is designed to attract a diverse international student body looking for the high-quality teaching of UoH with strong employability opportunities in London.

The Academic Director will lead a teaching team of academics in the Business and Technology School and will provide academic leadership for delivery of the University of Huddersfield’s taught courses and Study Group’s pathway courses. You will be responsible for the School’s Teaching and Learning and Research Strategies. You will own professional body accreditation and compliance including AACSB and BCS. You will be responsible for implementing procedures as set out in the UoH Handbook of Quality Assurance processes for taught courses and monitor and provide assurance that all associated academic regulations are being complied with. You will have your own teaching allocation and will allocate workloads to your team, promote opportunities and record the scholarly activity and research being undertaken by the academics and encourage impact of research activities. You will have overall responsibility for student performance and success and implement enhancements to ensure student outcomes and experience are exceptional. Liaison with UoH representatives in respect of all academic and quality assurance operational matters will also be required.

ABOUT THE ROLE

• Strategic Leadership
  • Provide inspirational leadership across academic teams, working collaboratively with the campus management team, UoH and central Study Group teams on learning & teaching and research strategies. Under the direction of the Head of School, own the design, development, implementation and evaluation and review of the learning and teaching and research strategies for the University of Huddersfield London.
  • Implement continuous improvements through a structured approach to enhancement to enable the Business School to achieve targets for student outcomes and student success. Own the compliance and liaison around the UoH relevant professional body accreditation including AACSB and BCS. Undertake curriculum planning and staff resourcing requirements. Attend and actively contribute to relevant university partnership Boards and committees and work with university colleagues through approved liaison points and report regularly on these.
  • Review student outcomes, their feedback and that of other stakeholders to identify opportunities and areas for development, proposing appropriate actions to resolve issues and enhance delivery. Contribute to meetings, forums or projects within the Study Group network.
• Leadership, management and personal development
  • Provide effective management and leadership to the academic team and to direct reports in the team, using Study Group’s Individual Contribution & Development process and other supportive HR processes as required.
  • Maintain high academic standing and lead by example building on quality teaching and learning activities, producing research, a publication record and professional engagement. Recruit academic staff with the appropriate qualifications and experience to comply with accreditation conditions.
  • Plan the allocation of teaching resources within an agreed budget to meet operational margins and agreed workload allocations. Organise peer observations and use anonymised feedback along with sector HE trends and practice to create annual personal development plans. Working with the Industry and Engagement Director, creating a culture of business engagement with academics, and embedding employability activities throughout the curriculum and teaching activities.
  • Identify and promote scholarly activity and research opportunities, supporting and mentoring academics within the campus and liaising with University of Huddersfield on key projects, programmes and other related activities.
• Academic and Operational Management
  • Manage the effective academic delivery of all courses to ensure they are conducted in accordance with validation and course definitive documents and leads to the best possible student outcomes and student experience.
  • Ensure the VLE element of courses is effectively managed and that a clear VLE framework for standards and enhancement is in place and consistently implemented in practice including through liaison with the relevant UoH teams. Raise opportunities for discussion with the Head of School to introduce new courses and products as appropriate to the strategic Partnership Development Plan.
  • Work with the Student Experience and Operations Director, and co-create effective internal partnerships with key stakeholders in Study Group’s Education & Student Experience and Quality Assurance & Engagement teams. Address any day-to-day academic issues that arise effectively and efficiently.
  • Be responsible for monitoring academic indicators and outcomes, ensuring interventions are implemented in a timely and impactful manner. Protect and promote the name and reputation of Study Group and the UoH, act in an ambassador role and participate in any recruitment or other beneficial activities as required.
• Academic Standards, Quality Assurance and Enhancement
  • Implement the procedures in accordance with those set out in the UoH Handbook of Quality Assurance processes for taught courses.
  • Ensure the delivery of all Study Group courses are conducted with reference to and according to Study Group’s, UoH’s and relevant external agencies’ quality frameworks, policies, procedures and codes of practice. Ensure ongoing compliance with the relevant professional bodies including the AACSB and BCS.
  • Manage security and integrity of assessment processes ensuring all students receive effective assessment feedback and any cases of academic impropriety are handled fairly.
  • Working with the Student Experience and Operations Director, co-lead on the development of and contribute to the management of the course committee and Student Panel, chairing and ensuring minutes are taken and copies provided to UoH as required. Contribute to the Annual Evaluation Process and preparation of the Annual Evaluation Reports for submission to the UoH and Study Group and ensuring records are kept to participate effectively in any QAA reviews.
  • Provide reports, data and recommendations to key partnership meetings and academic governance meetings, attend as required to discuss strategy and performance. Actively contribute to the University’s ongoing accreditation processes. Ensure that high quality service levels are delivered to students and other stakeholders, and that student satisfaction remains at a high level. Have due regard to Prevent and all other regulatory requirements.
  • Assist on preparing documentation for any new courses for approval and existing courses for re-approval.
• Partnership Management
  • Develop and maintain effective relationships with key contacts at the UoH, ensuring a full understanding of relevant University curriculum content, assessment modes and quality policies and procedures.
  • Facilitate interaction between UoH staff and centre academic to ensure the best possible learner experience. Act as one of the key representative in the partnership, interacting with and leveraging partner relations to develop and grow the Campus.
  • Proactively identify opportunities to collaborate with the UoH main campus.
  • Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School or senior members of the Education Directorate.

ABOUT YOU

• Terminal / doctoral degree in a relevant discipline.
• Consistent, current research record and profile at the appropriate level (ABS 3/4*) enabling leadership and mentorship of research outputs of the school.
• Fellowship of Advance HE or to be achieved within 12 months of appointment.
• Track record of successful course and academic leadership and management & managing and/or supervising staff and resources.
• Experience of a business school comprised of both undergraduate and postgraduate higher education.
• Teaching relevant subjects in UK higher education.
• The design and delivery of high quality undergraduate and postgraduate curricula/module.
• Leading innovation and facilitating change & teaching international students.
• Planning and running complex education courses and programmes.

ABOUT US

Study Group is a leading international education provider that is dedicated and passionate about helping students around the world, creating a brighter future and reaching their full potential. With university partnerships and a variety of face-to-face, online, and hybrid study programmes, we are able to provide students with the resources and guidance they need to succeed. Our global network of offices and university partnerships ensure that students receive the best educational services available. Additionally, our Insendi platform enables us to deliver innovative, accessible, and intuitive digital learning experiences with the most advanced digital tools available.

ORGANISATIONAL COMPLIANCE

Study Group is proud of its high standards in safeguarding and recognises its importance in enabling the best possible student experience and outcomes. For successful applicants the following checks will be conducted- Criminal Background Check (country specific), x2 References, ID and Right to Work checks as well as Education Verification. We are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer and we strive to create a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are committed to providing equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of race, gender, religion, nationality, or any other factor. We believe that the best person for the job should be selected based on skills and experience alone. Your information will be kept confidential and stored securely. Please see our Privacy Policy. We adopt a rolling recruitment process meaning that we review applications as they are submitted. To avoid disappointment, please ensure that you apply ASAP.