Deputy Director of Academic Centres Internal Secondment Opportunity

The post is offered to internal candidates only on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.

Continuing education is one of the most prominent and dynamic fields in global higher education. The University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education is an established leader in the field, tracing its roots back to 1873. The Institute is based at the historic Madingley Hall campus, four miles west of Cambridge.

The Institute of Continuing Education provides leading courses, drawing on the resources of one of the world's best universities, for adults from all backgrounds. Most courses are open access or offer non-standard entry routes.

We provide 60 undergraduate and postgraduate award-bearing courses leading to a University of Cambridge qualifications. The taught portfolio includes around 200 in-person, blended and fully online short courses. In 2021-22 there were over 6,700 course enrolments, with a further 50,000 registrations on the edX platform, across the arts, humanities, sciences and vocational fields.

The Institute administers and delivers Levy-funded Apprenticeships as part of our mission to widen participation in higher education, widen access to the professions and encourage social mobility. An apprenticeship is currently offered in architecture and support is provided for a departmental apprenticeship for senior police officers. We have an ambitious goal to expand the offer in several technical fields, and introduce new Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs), as part of our 2021-25 strategic plan.

We seek to appoint a Deputy Director of Academic Centres Division (Apprenticeships and Technical Education) on a secondment until December 2024 to ensure that our approach delivers an exceptional learning experience for apprentices and their employers, and that our strategy, planning, systems and day-to-day operations are compliant with the frameworks set by Ofsted, Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE), professional bodies and University regulations.

Reporting to the Director of Continuing Education, you will lead a team of academics and professional services colleagues tasked with generating provision which is learner-centred and data-led and that engagement with employers, apprentices and relevant stakeholders is professional and collaborative.

The postholder will have senior level experience of working to deliver apprenticeships and technical education in a higher education and/or further education context. They will have an advanced understanding of key issues in the sector and working with relevant regulators and inspectorates to achieve outstanding outcomes for learners and their employers. Preferably, they will be qualified to doctoral-level and will be able to demonstrate an inclusive and developmental approach to line-management and clear and effective modes of partnership working with a wide range of external bodies and internal departments. They will have excellent communication and project management skills and will take an evidence-led and data-informed approach to their work.

The Deputy Director will be expected to work in-person from Madingley Hall or other locations as required for a minimum of the equivalent of two days each week, with other work conducted remotely. Some travel to visit employers and apprentices at their place of work will also be required.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 December 2024 in the first instance.

Further information about the role and requirements can be found at the link below. Informal enquiries are encouraged and can be made to Dr James Gazzard (Director of Continuing Education) at: [email protected]

Initial interviews are planned to take place online on 3 May 2024 between 12.00pm and 2pm.

We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part- time working or other flexible working arrangements.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Please quote reference EA41342 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Institute of Continuing Education

£61,198-£64,914

EA41342

Academic-related

17 April 2024

30 April 2024