Location High Wycombe Contract Type Permanent Salary Range £56,921- £65,814 Hours per week 37 Closing Date 20/01/2025 Ref No 1646 Full Time – Permanent – High Wycombe Salary - £56,921- £65,814 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 and 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. We are seeking an experienced Academic Leader to enhance the quality of the School of Human and Social Science’s taught portfolio, student experience, and graduate outcomes. The role involves developing and implementing strategies for course and module improvement, revalidation, and professional accreditations. You will oversee quality management, promote high achievement, and ensure compliance with University policies. Key responsibilities include leading research-informed teaching, cross-disciplinary initiatives, and enhancing employability and career progression for students. You will foster industry links, secure external funding, and contribute to policy development at regional and national levels. As a senior leader, you will represent the School in internal committees, manage strategic initiatives, and ensure effective curriculum delivery. Strong leadership, innovative teaching, and a commitment to inclusive practices are essential. Join us to drive excellence in education and research, and to make a significant impact on our academic community. What we offer: a generous holiday entitlement (35 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 Head of School Dr Ciarán O’Keeffe Ciaran.okeeffe@bnu.ac.uk or Deputy Head of School Dr Kevin Campbell-Karn kevin.campbell-karn@bnu.ac.uk All applications are to be made in full and online. 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: 20th January 2025 Interview Date: 27th January 2025 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. JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: School Director of Education Faculty/Directorate: HSS Grade: I Location: High Wycombe campus with travel to other campuses, as required Hours: 37 Responsible to: Head of School with secondary reporting to the PVC Education Responsible for: Leading school quality enhancement across all KPIs Job Purpose: To practice an inclusive approach and support building an inclusive university community where people can be themselves. To provide strategic and operational leadership at School level to ensure the School’s educational offerings are distinctive, innovative, high quality and internationally competitive; To act as the main point of contact in relation to educational matters within the School and provide oversight of the operation and delivery of education in the School; With the Head of School: To deliver the University’s and School’s educational priorities as outlined in the relevant strategies. To make a significant and demonstrable contribution to Education and Professional Practice or Research within the School and the University. To develop and assist the School in delivering excellence in research-led teaching by strengthening links between our subject-based research and teaching contributing to strong student outcomes and commercial success. Main Duties & Responsibilities of the role: Develop and manage strategies to enhance the School’s taught portfolio, student experience, and graduate outcomes. Lead the academic vision for student experience, overseeing course ammendments/approvals, revalidations, and professional accreditations. Ensure quality management and enhancement, promoting a high achievement culture and meeting education metrics. Implement peer review procedures for teaching and learning, ensuring compliance with University policy. Lead research-informed teaching, managing curriculum delivery and student experience to high standards. Promote inclusive practices in curriculum design and delivery, working to eliminate attainment gaps. Enhance links with industry, employers, and professional bodies for research and teaching collaborations. Develop and secure external funding for research, teaching, and innovation. Contribute to research, education, and professional practice groups at regional and national levels. Enhance research supervision, leading to research-informed teaching. Contribute to the University’s strategic direction, representing the School at internal committees and promoting University policies. Lead the School’s senior leadership team in delivering the University’s Educational Strategy. Manage strategies to enhance the School’s taught portfolio, student experience, and graduate outcomes. Engage with the student body, responding to feedback and attending liaison meetings. Provide leadership in teaching, learning, and assessment, including technology-enhanced learning. Act as an ambassador for the University’s values, demonstrating strong academic citizenship. Comply with relevant legislative and other requirements (e.g., the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR; Health and Safety; UKVI; and Equality and Diversity) in all working practices. Line management responsibilities including recruitment and selection, performance management, professional development, motivation, health & safety and wellbeing. Such other duties temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required. PERSON SPECIFICATION A = Application T = Test I = Interview Education, Qualifications & Training Means of Testing Appropriate academic credentials to be able to lead teaching and learning developments in the areas covered by the School (Undergraduate and Postgraduate) A PhD qualified or nearing completion and/or with equivalent professional standing in a suitably related discipline A Recognised HE teaching qualification and/or Fellow of the HEA A Knowledge & Experience Delivering an excellent customer experience A/I Demonstrated extensive experience of academic delivery in HE education using different modes of learning and teaching A/I Significant evidence of effective engagement and impact with the wider student stakeholder communities to include influence of educational practices and implementation of T&L change. A/I Demonstrable experience of delivering strategies to meet key performance indicators related to NSS, graduate outcomes and HESA returns A/I Evidence of scholarship and proven capability and engagement within practice or policy within either research, enterprise or professional practice A Proven experience of developing, leading and managing teams to achieve and deliver key strategies and KPIs. A An understanding of the main issues affecting HE in general and the key teaching and learning challenges faced by the School I Skills Digitally able and proficient in Microsoft tools A/I Excellent leadership and management skills and an ability to work and influence across all disciplines in the School A/I Ability to communicate School and University priorities in a clear, consistent and effective way I The ability to operate at the most senior levels with stakeholders such as the Deputy and Pro-Vice-Chancellors and senior academics A Special Requirements Willingness and ability to work flexibly at other sites on and off campus, as required I Committed to the aims, ethos and values of the University. I BEHAVIOURAL INDICATORS The BNU Behaviours Framework (BBF) is a framework for all University staff that sets out the key behaviours that exemplify the DRIVE values and ethos of the University. The nine categories provide a clear steer on behavioural expectations that will help support a step change in the performance and culture of the University. The three key behavioural indicators for this post are as follows: 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. Achieving results Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.
