Director of Teaching and Learning - INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY

Director of Teaching and Learning - INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY

Full Time - Permanent - High Wycombe

Salary - SPOT

Buckinghamshire New University is an ambitious, modern university that is always open to fresh ideas and thinking. We believe in the transformative power of education, and in doing the right thing by our students, people and local community. That's why our BNU community is a special place to work and study, and where people who want to make a difference can contribute and succeed.

Our University's DRIVE values are at the heart of all that we do. We are united in being dynamic, responsible, inclusive, visionary and empowering to ensure that we provide the best experience to our learners and offer excellent service to our partners and to each other as colleagues. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and they are central to our mission. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries and we are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that you require.

The post holder will lead BNU's teaching and learning directorate and be responsible for the development of the university's Education Strategy and making significant leadership contributions to the Access and Participation Plan and Teaching Excellence Framework. With a strong focus on teaching improvement strategies, the post holder will influence all aspects of teaching excellence and learning enhancement including digital pedagogy. The post holder will also be responsible for leading collaboration with franchised partners to deliver excellent teaching and learning.

Applicants should be of professorial / associate professorial standing with a track record of improving student outcomes and leading on institutional education strategy.

What we offer:

a generous holiday entitlement (30 days per annum, plus bank holidays & closure days)

Hybrid working (dependant on business needs)

training & development support opportunities

contributory pension scheme

discounted gym membership for our on-site gym

a range of staff discounts with major retailers.

Please click here to see our wide range of benefits available for employees. Please click here for our behavioural based interview question bank. Please click here to view our employee handbook.

If you have the qualities and attributes representative of the University's values and ambition, we would be delighted to hear from you.

For further information about this role please contact Professor Paul Morgan at [email protected]

All applications are to be made in full and online, and include a supporting statement of how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the criteria in the job description and person specification.

BNU is proud to have a diverse community and a strong track record of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our aim is to continue to build an environment where everyone thrives and can be themselves. We therefore ensure that our interview/shortlisting Chairs complete the relevant e-learning and/or inclusive recruitment training.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in BNU'S workforce. These include people from global majority backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQI+ people, particularly in more senior roles.

Closing Date: 26 April 2024

Interview Date: W/C 29 April 2024

If you are successful in securing an interview for the role, you will be required to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

BNU is a Disability Confident employer and as such you will be given the opportunity to declare a disability as part of the application process. The University is also committed to achieving the Race Equality Charter.

Location

High Wycombe

Contract Type

Permanent

Salary Range

Spot salary

Hours per week

37

Closing Date

26/04/2024

Ref No

1548

Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Director of Learning Enhancement and Academic Practice (LEAP) INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY

Directorate: LEAP

Grade: SPOT

Location: High Wycombe (with travel to all campuses)

Hours: 37 hours per week

Responsible to: PVC (Education)

Responsible for: Head of Pedagogy and Practice; Student Engagement and Retention Lead

Job Purpose:

To lead the development of an institutional culture of educational improvement, innovation, and impact that is focused on delivering ‘everyday excellence'.

To lead BNU's Learning Enhancement and Academic Practice (LEAP) Directorate

To coordinate the University's Education Strategy and strategic vision to deliver outstanding student outcomes and a first class student experience

Lead on digital pedagogy to enhance the academic experience

To implement robust operational quality management processes that lead to excellent education outcomes

To proactively influence all aspects of teaching excellence and learning enhancement across the University to support academic staff to create a ‘best in sector' student experience, meet regulatory requirements and develop innovative practice.

To lead on the planning and development of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)

To keep abreast of higher education policy and regulatory developments to make sure that BNU is at the leading edge of educational developments and is well placed to consistently provide a high-quality academic experience for all its learners.

Main Duties & Responsibilities of the role:

To lead BNU's Learning Enhancement and Academic Practice (LEAP) Directorate.

To set the strategic vision and agenda for LEAP, defining and leading its approach to teaching excellence and enhancement in line with institutional strategies and priorities.

To set priorities and actions to deliver sector-leading student outcomes (continuation, completion, progression, equality of opportunity for all learners)

Implement and have oversight of robust quality processes

To take a strategic view of educational development and teaching excellence at BNU, setting agendas for learning, teaching and assessment.

Instil a culture of collaboration across key internal and external stakeholders to enhance the University's teaching practice

To manage a senior network of experienced, expert teaching staff to observe, mentor and coach academic staff across all portfolios

To take a leading role in authoring key educational documents and policies – such as the Education Strategy, Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) and Access and Participation Plan (APP).

Develop an innovative, high quality professional development agenda for academic staff

To lead the enhancement and monitoring of high quality learning, teaching and assessment at BNU.

To inspire colleagues to provide a ‘best in sector' student experience and promote a culture of teaching excellence through a strategic approach to academic development and support.

To take a leading role in setting institutional agendas for innovative pedagogy and practice

To lead on educational enhancements to effective academic delivery through captured content and the VLE

To envision the University's response to key sector education initiatives, as well as policy and regulatory developments.

To report regularly to senior management forums (e.g., University Executive Team, University Management Group) about sector insights and opportunities for enhancement

To maintain own CPD and keep up-to-date with sector policy and regulatory developments in relation to approaches to teaching excellence and academic development.

Secure external funding and income generation through teaching and learning services

To work in accordance with University policies and procedures.

To undertake other duties temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required.

For roles with line management responsibilities:

Line management responsibilities including recruitment and selection, performance management, professional development, motivation, health & safety and wellbeing.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

A = Application T = Test I = Interview

Education, Qualifications & Training

Means of Testing

First Degree

A

Doctorate

A

Professorial/Associate Professorial standing

A

Relevant teaching qualification (e.g. PG Cert in Learning and Teaching in HE)

A

Principal Fellow of the HEA (or willingness to gain PFHEA on appointment)

A

Knowledge & Experience

Track record of improving student outcomes evidenced through TEF or other sector measures

A/I

Successful experience of strategic leadership and management of teams in a Higher Education (HE) context

A/I

Extensive experience of developing strategies in higher education

A/I

Experience of developing learning and teaching centres, units and/or directorates

A/I

Successful experience of leading learning, teaching and assessment innovation projects

A/I

Successful and sustained experience of leading curriculum development activities in HE

A/I

Extensive knowledge of quality assurance and enhancement processes and practices in HE

A/I

Extensive knowledge of the regulatory context of HE and detailed understanding of OfS Conditions of Registration, including investigatory processes

A/I

Extensive experience of leading policy development in HE

A/I

Extensive experience of working with a wide range of stakeholders and sector bodies

A/I

Evidence of pedagogic research outputs

A/I

Track record of using learning analytics effectively to improve student engagement

A/I

Experience of budget management

A/I

Experience of leading and contributing to successful change management in HE

A/I

Skills

Excellent leadership skills

A/I

Excellent oral communication skills

A/I

Excellent written communication skills

A/I

Ability to prioritise and organise work and resources, including managing projects and resources, anticipating problems and planning workable solutions

A/I

Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure

A/I

Effective team worker

A/I

Excellent digital literacy

A/I

Ability to develop and work to targets and communicate progress regularly and clearly

A/I

Special Requirements

A willingness and ability to travel and work in off-site locations

I

BUCKS BEHAVIOURAL FRAMEWORK

Delivering excellent service Providing the best quality service to external and internal customers/students/stakeholders. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up customer service standards.

Embracing change Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.

Working together Working collaboratively and across boundaries with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.

Location

High Wycombe

Contract Type

Permanent

Salary Range

Spot salary

Hours per week

37

Closing Date

26/04/2024

Ref No

1548