Course Director: BSc (Hons) Fashion Management and Strategy in Bolton

Course Director: BSc (Hons) Fashion Management and Strategy

Location: UKMC

Contract: Full-time, permanent (subject to probation)

Salary: Competitive

Role Summary

The Course Director will provide academic leadership for the BSc (Hons) Fashion Management and Strategy, a values-driven degree designed to prepare future leaders for the global fashion and lifestyle industries. This role involves overseeing the teaching, curriculum development, and delivery of the course, ensuring high-quality student learning experiences and strong graduate outcomes. The Course Director will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the course, related academic staff, and students, ensuring that the curriculum remains up to date, coherent, and aligned with the needs of the industry.

The Course Director will lead and motivate a team of academics, drawing on a strong track record in teaching and supporting students across all levels. The post-holder will actively engage in scholarship and industry-related knowledge exchange, addressing contemporary changes in fashion business and strategy. The role also requires collaboration with colleagues across UKMC, Partner University, and industry partners to maintain the academic and professional standing of the programme.

Key Activities and Responsibilities

Management and Performance of the Course

• Take responsibility for the academic performance and quality of the BSc (Hons) Fashion Management and Strategy, responding to key metrics, external examiner feedback, and student evaluations.
• Lead course team meetings, course committees, and prepare for examination boards.
• Undertake day-to-day course management including lesson planning, teaching, curriculum development, and assessment design and administration.
• Ensure effective arrangements for recruitment, admissions, timetabling, induction, and ongoing student engagement, working closely with administrative and academic colleagues.
• Maintain strong professional links with the fashion and lifestyle industries, embedding contemporary practice, ethical leadership, and sustainability into the course.
• Manage the course across multiple delivery modes, including evenings and weekends, with appropriate support in place.
• Support the engagement, retention, and progression of students to ensure high levels of attainment and employability outcomes.
• Undertake personal professional development and ensure academic staff on the course receive appropriate training, mentoring, and support.

Curriculum Development

• Contribute to the development, review, and innovation of the curriculum, ensuring alignment with industry trends, sustainability, and values-based management.
• Lead on course validation, accreditation, and monitoring activities.
• Support cross-disciplinary approaches to teaching, fostering collaboration with creative and business-focused courses.

Teaching, Learning, and Assessment

• Manage the overall teaching and assessment programme on the course.
• Take lead responsibility for implementing the College\'s teaching, learning, and assessment policies at course level.
• Enhance students\' learning experiences by integrating digital technologies, innovative pedagogy, and practice-based learning.
• Embed project-based learning and placement opportunities, ensuring students are equipped with both creative and financial management skills.

Quality Assurance

• Produce annual course monitoring reports and contribute to quality assurance processes to drive continuous improvement.
• Promote and maintain high academic and professional standards in teaching, delivery, and assessment.
• Monitor student progress and achievement, ensuring records are maintained and actions are taken to address any gaps.
• Ensure compliance with expectations of the OfS, partner university regulations, and wider sector standards.

Other Duties

• Undertake additional duties as assigned by the College that are consistent with the nature of the role.

Requirements

Qualifications and Education

• Essential: A relevant undergraduate and postgraduate qualification in fashion business, management, or a closely related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• Essential: Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (or willingness to achieve this during probation).
• Desirable: PhD or other higher research qualification.
• Desirable: Teaching qualification (PGCert or equivalent) – successful candidates without one will be supported to complete this in post.

Knowledge and Skills

• Essential: Commitment to understanding and supporting the diverse experiences of students.
• Essential: Ability to motivate colleagues and work collaboratively with staff, students, and external partners.
• Essential: Ability to design, deliver, and assess at degree level, with an understanding of values-based approaches to management.
• Essential: Knowledge of assessment practice and feedback in higher education.
• Essential: Strong professional networks within the fashion or lifestyle industries.
• Essential: Excellent organisational, workload management, and communication skills.
• Essential: Competence with IT and digital learning technologies.
• Essential: Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Desirable: Recognised authority in fashion management, strategy, or ethical business practices.
• Desirable: Ability to develop and mentor academic colleagues to achieve shared goals.

Experience

• Experience of teaching and assessment in higher education, preferably with widening participation students.
• Experience of course leadership and managing academic teams, curriculum, and quality assurance processes.
• Experience of teaching and/or professional practice in fashion business, management, or strategy.
• Evidence of research, knowledge exchange, or industry practice relevant to fashion management and strategy, with an emphasis on ethics and sustainability.
• Experience of effective resource and time management.
• Experience of resolving complex or confidential matters in line with institutional policy.
• Experience of contributing to long-term planning and course development.