Contract type: Full Time (37.5 hours) – Permanent

Location: Leeds International Study Centre, Leeds

Internal Applicants only

Closing date for applications is 12:00 on Thursday 20th of February

Job Purpose:

Study Group’s pathway programmes are specially designed, university-recognised courses that help students to gain the academic, English language and learning standards necessary to succeed in the UK or European education environment. 

Leeds International Study Centre (Leeds ISC) is one of the largest ISC’s within the UK & Europe with approximately 900 students enrolled annually. Our international students study bespoke academic programmes, which provide them with a pathway into either Leeds Beckett University or the University of Leeds for undergraduate programmes.

Leeds ISC is currently at the forefront of significant student growth, product development and partnership opportunities, which requires expansion of the Leeds Senior Leadership Team (SLT)

The Deputy Centre Director (Curriculum) will support the Centre Director in providing the leadership and vision to deliver excellent student outcomes, quality assurance and enhancement, and curriculum innovation that embeds outstanding collaborative working with both University Partners and the network.

You will have proven experience of strategic leadership in a complex multi-disciplinary environment, with evidence of significant success and results. You will be able to articulate and implement a clear vision to drive forward continuous improvement, as well as monitor and achieve our targets for student outcomes.

You will be able to demonstrate strong ability and a track record of collaborative working, which would facilitate strong working relationships with our university partner, as well as across the Study Group network.  This will involve leading on new, innovative product development for the centre and partner HEI’s.

You will be responsible for leading and supporting a large team of academic staff. Reporting to the Centre Director, you will work closely with senior colleagues within and outside the Centre and be accountable for the delivery of contractually required progression rates to the University. Critically, the successful candidate will need to carefully balance the requirements of the Centre alongside the need for compliance, consistency and collaboration with the University and Study Group as a whole.

This person will have leadership of accountability for and direct line management of members of the Senior and/or Centre Management Team. Consequently, the successful candidate will demonstrate recent successful line management and leadership experience in an academic/educational context in a relevant subject discipline; be able to analyse student data to identify specific interventions to support students and have an ability to engage with a HEI in collaborative developments.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic leadership

Play a key role in assisting the Centre Director to develop Leeds ISC in accordance with Study Group’s Mission, Vision and Values and the Centre Action Plan.Articulate and implement a clear vision to drive forward continuous improvement and enable the Centre to achieve aspirational targets for student outcomes.Communicate and implement a clear vision for the development of the academic partnership with the host university, including appropriate articulation routes that maximise opportunities for recruitment to the Centre.Articulate and implement a clear vision for the development of programme pathways to meet the overall strategic aims of the Centre as an effective, attractive and high-quality pathway to UK HE.Contribute to strategic planning and policy development in areas including human resources; academic development; learning, teaching and assessment; and academic quality assurance and enhancement, as part of the Senior Leadership Team (SMT).Contribute to SLT and Operations meetings as appropriate, to inform strategic planning and resource allocation.Attend and actively contribute to relevant University Partnership Boards and Committees, work with university colleagues through approved liaison points and report regularly on these through the Centre’s deliberative management structures.Identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and identify appropriate actions to solve problems and enhance delivery.Provide powerful and inspirational leadership across the Centre. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team there is an expectation that the post holder will perform the role of ‘critical friend’ to other members of the senior team.

Academic management

Provide effective and efficient academic management and co-ordination of staff resources across the academic and progression support teams in the Centre, working closely with SLT and the CMT.Ensure the recruitment of academic staff is planned, timely and compliant.Participate in regular meetings with teaching and support staff and represent the Centre at appropriate events and meetings within the Centre, the partner university and externally.

Quality assurance and enhancement

Work closely with CMT and the Head of Quality Assurance and Enhancement to assure the maintenance of academic standards, the quality of learning opportunities, the accuracy and completeness of published information, ensuring that they are managed appropriately and in accordance with the policies and procedures of the centre.Produce reports, analysis and evaluation for all internal and external scrutiny processes as requested by the Centre Director.Lead on ensuring that the Centre is fully compliant with Study Group, Leeds Beckett University, University of Leeds and relevant external agencies’ quality frameworks, policies, procedures and codes of practice.Oversee the effective operation of the Academic committee meetings and implementation of Programme Action Plans.Lead on ensuring that the Centre is fully compliant with Study Group, Leeds Beckett University, University of Leeds and relevant external agencies’ quality frameworks, policies, procedures and codes of practice.When required, oversee that the centre’s quality assurance framework is implemented across all academic teams and contribute to annual cycle of quality assurance, including writing the Centres Annual Monitor ReportMonitor progress against actions in the Centre Action Plan (CAP); within the CAP there will be cognate actions which will form the basis of the Faculty Performance Meetings.  This will be reviewed half-termly and reported on to the Centre Director and various governance committees.Ensure that the Centre’s Quality Assurance framework is implemented across all academic teams and lead on programme review and the development of the Centre’s Annual Monitoring ReportAnalyse data and feedback from a wide variety of sources to monitor progress towards progression targets, planning and implementing remedial actions where necessary.Any other duties as required from time to time by the Centre Director.

Operationally

Deputise for the Centre Director in their absence or as delegated during periods of time when meeting conflicts arise (for example).  After the Centre Director, the Deputy Centre Director (Curriculum) (along with the Deputy Centre Director (Student Experience) is the most senior member of Study Group staff responsible for the Centre. When required, this includes overall responsibility and accountably for all sites, trips and all Leeds ISC staff.Work closely with the Deputy Centre Director (Student Experience) and their function heads to ensure that timetables and assessment schedules are delivered effectively, staff are recruited compliantly, and Student Experience and Academic staff work together as one team.Deliver the curriculum effectively and efficiently.Oversee the strategic approach to progression tracking and student outcomes planning activity within the Centre, reporting to the Centre Director and Centre committees.Monitor agreed Key Performance Indicators in academic areas to demonstrate effectiveness in achieving the Centre’s business objectives and manage performance, where required.Drive across all areas of the Centre a cost-conscious working environment, at the same time as delivering a quality service and experience to students, which includes the allocation, control and accounting for those financial (staffing) and material resources of which are delegated by the Centre DirectorEnsure that the Centre is compliant in relation to Safeguarding responsibilities, and Safer Recruitment actions, and make certain that staff across the Centre are aware of their obligations/requirements.Manage and address day-to-day issues that arise, ensuring that solutions are sought, and problems resolved effectively and efficiently.Motivate, support and encourage direct reports and the wider staff body in developing their own areas of expertise and making sure that their individual teams have all the necessary tools and training in order to perform in their roles.Be accountable for ensuring that the Centre is compliant with UKVI regulations in terms of student attendance reporting via Progresso (student management system).If required, take the lead - with support from the Student Experience Registry and Operations Team - during a UKVI Inspection.

Relationship Management

Build relationships within the organisation and beyond to agents and sponsors.Develop close and effective working relations with key partners in Leeds Beckett University and the University of Leeds.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

A Bachelor’s degree and a postgraduate qualification.A recognised teaching qualification (or a willingness to undertake)Further management or leadership qualifications would be advantageous (or a willingness to undertake such).Experience of providing leadership in a complex multi-disciplinary environment, with evidence of significant success.Experience of implementing strategy to strive towards the achievement of ‘outstanding’ learning and teaching and excellent student outcomes.Experience of managing a budget allocation, as well as control and account for those financial and material resourcesExperience of product ideation, design, development, and successful implementation.Experience of providing feedback to another person about their performance, which achieved a positive improvement.Experience of HR duties, such as delivering training, taking part in the recruitment process and performance management.Ability to delegate activities, set deadlines and take responsibility for overseeing their successful completion to meet challenging deadlines.Experience of planning and delivering change or continuous improvement, which achieved a positive impact on student outcomes.Experience of successfully motivating and leading teams to embed successful practice through a process of change.Experience of successfully leading on internal communication, which includes disseminating complex messages or changes to operations.Experience of working with international students and an understanding of welfare, well-being and cultural issues that may arise.Experience of data management and interpretation, and quality assurance.Experience of working across, up and down an organisation as well as with external partners and both national and international stakeholders.

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.