Academic Development Lead

Job Description

Location: Memo House, W3 0XA

Reports to: Dean of School

Job Purpose

The Academic Development Lead will play a pivotal role in shaping and enhancing teaching excellence and scholarship across the institution. This postholder will ensure that all learning, teaching, and assessment activities align with OfS B conditions, the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), and the Advance HE Professional Standards Framework. The role will lead continuous professional development, promote innovation in pedagogy, and drive measurable improvements in student outcomes and staff capability.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Assurance

• Oversee the quality assurance of all learning and teaching activities in line with OfS B Conditions, TEF, and the Advance HE Professional Standards Framework.
• Conduct regular teaching observations and programme content audits to ensure academic standards and enhance teaching quality.
• Provide clear, developmental feedback to academic staff and work collaboratively to implement improvements in teaching and assessment.
• Produce reports and recommendations for the Academic Board and Quality Committees.

Academic Policy and Best Practice Development

• Lead the creation, review, and implementation of best practice guidance and policies covering all aspects of learning and teaching.
• Ensure policies are compliant, current, and effectively communicated across the institution.
• Support the integration of digital learning tools, inclusive teaching practices, and effective curriculum design.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

• Design and deliver CPD programmes aligned to the Advance HE Professional Standards Framework.
• Coordinate staff development days to promote teaching excellence and innovation.
• Facilitate pathways for staff to achieve professional recognition (e.g., HEA Fellowship) and ongoing skills progression.

Scholarship and Innovation

• Develop and lead the institutional strategy for the FSB Research Centre, fostering engagement with scholarship and research-informed teaching.
• Establish and chair a Learning and Teaching Forum to encourage cross-departmental collaboration and sharing of innovative practice.
• Support the dissemination of research outputs, case studies, and scholarly work within and beyond the institution.

Student Performance and Enhancement

• Analyse student performance data at institutional and programme levels to identify trends and areas for improvement.
• Collaborate with the Dean of School and Vice Principal to design and implement targeted enhancement strategies.
• Monitor the impact of interventions and report progress to senior leadership and relevant committees.

PG Cert HE Oversight

• Provide strategic leadership for the design, delivery, and evaluation of the PG Cert in Higher Education.
• Drive participation and completion rates among academic staff and assess the programme’s impact on teaching practice.

Leadership and Management

• Line manage Programme Leaders, providing mentorship, guidance, and performance oversight.
• Oversee the Library function across all campuses, ensuring resources effectively support teaching, learning, and research.
• Provide strategic oversight of the Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) system, using data insights to enhance student engagement, retention, and success.

Person Specification

Essential:

• A Master’s degree (PhD or EdD desirable).
• Fellowship (or above) of Advance HE (or willingness to achieve within 12 months).
• Significant experience in curriculum design and teaching enhancement in higher education.
• Demonstrable experience in leading academic teams and managing staff performance.
• Evidence of developing and implementing successful CPD or staff development initiatives.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret complex data to inform decisions.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.

Desirable:

• Experience in delivering and overseeing PG Cert or similar academic development programmes.
• A track record of scholarly activity or published research in learning and teachin

Please complete your application via the ‘Apply’ button above (e:jobs@fairfield.ac)

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