Director of Educational Development Unit

School: Academy of Future Education

Contract Type: Fixed-term, renewable. 3rd contract is open-ended 

ABOUT XJTLU 

In 2006, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) was created by the University of Liverpool, UK, and Xi’an Jiaotong University, China – a C9 university in China. Offering a unique international education experience, XJTLU brings together excellent research practice and expertise from both institutions and gives students the skills and knowledge they need to secure careers in a global marketplace. XJTLU now has over 25,000 enrolled students in both Suzhou China and Liverpool in the UK, with plans to grow to 35,000 students soon. There are currently about 2,500 staff, among which about 1,300 academic staff from more than 60 countries. XJTLU offers our undergraduates and postgraduates over 120 programmes with a diverse spectrum of courses.

XJTLU will be celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2026, entering a new and exciting phase of its development for the next ten years. Adopting a new higher education model based on the concept of Syntegrative Education (SE), XJTLU has opened a new Entrepreneurial College (XEC) in a new campus located in Taicang city, which is a part of wider Suzhou. The XEC site is a pioneer of, and educational model for, the future campus in addressing challenges arising from the 4th Industrial Revolution. Other new initiatives include new working partnerships with University of Liverpool and Xi’an Jiaotong University, innovation of teaching and research through XJTLU Education + AI framework, and the continued development of new academies to build an institutional ecosystem.

With a focus on innovative learning and teaching, and research, XJTLU draws on the strengths of its parent universities, and plays a pivotal role in facilitating access to China for UK and other institutional partners. At the same time, XJTLU is exploring future education by blending the educational theory, best practice and culture from West and East.

For detailed information about the university, please visit www.xjtlu.edu.cn.

ABOUT ACADEMY OF FUTURE EDUCATION (AOFE) 

The Academy of Future Education of Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University is an educational innovation ecosystem that focuses on research, exploration, support, and dissemination of philosophy and best practices for future education. The core mission of the Academy is to impact education innovation and reform in China and beyond through a variety of projects and programmes, based on fundamental approaches in educational innovation and systemic development designed to contribute to the future of education. The Academy supports individuals and institutions at all levels, including all the K-15 schools as well as vocational education and higher education institutions.

Four units make up the Academy, namely the Department of Educational Studies (EDS), Institute of Leadership & Education Advanced Development (ILEAD), and Educational Development Unit (EDU), Learning Institute for Future Excellence (LIFE). Key projects of the Academy include the following programmes:

• Master’s and doctoral degree programmes in education
• Research projects on future education
• Education innovation community
• Professional development programmes for educational practitioners
• Student learning excellence support programmes
• Online-onsite hybrid learning environment and resources.

EDU is a unique and leading institution in China for educational development, innovation, and education of educators (short courses and professional development communities). Its key customers include XJTLU staff as well as educational developers around the world.

ROLES OVERVIEW:

The broad mandate of the Faculty roles in EDU are to support the professional development of XJTLU staff as well as the production of publications and artefacts (websites, development materials) associated with educational development. The core mission of the roles in EDU is dual: 1) to support the implementation across XJTLU of learning and teaching; 2) to support and advance XJTLU Learning & Teaching Strategy, with a focus on innovation in learning and teaching. This is mainly achieved through the delivery of institutional academic development programmes; primarily, the PGCert programme, and other Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes. Other areas of support include providing assistance and guidance on peer review, and curriculum and assessment design, as well as collaborating with departments to develop specific learning and teaching strategies, events, or activities. A specific focus on XJTLU’s Research-led Learning and Syntegrative Education are also desirable.

As appropriate, the Educational Developer will conduct research on teaching and learning, develop pedagogical resources, and lead workshops and other events for faculty, students and staff. 
Supporting the teaching and learning practices of XJTLU staff are the primary responsibility and this position is open only as a teaching and practice position, not a teaching and research position.  

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Director of Educational Development Unit (EDU) is an academic position and the role of the position is to lead and manage all the business in the unit. The Director of Educational Development Unit (EDU), reports to Executive Dean of Academy of Future Education (AOFE), is one of the key members of AoFE senior management team.

The responsibilities of Director of Educational Development Unit (EDU) include:

• Be responsible for the strategic planning of EDU
• Contribute to ongoing activities in AoFE and develop new services and projects to promote best practices on campus related to learning and teaching effectiveness.
• Supervise and mentor Educational Developers, Educational Technologists and instructional designers.
• Oversee the provision and delivery of modules and workshops that contribute to the in-house Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Supporting Learning in Higher Education (PG Cert) programme and deliver supporting workshops as and when appropriate.
• Enhance the quality of teaching through dedicated Continuing Professional Development (CPD) workshops, and deliver supporting workshops as and when appropriate.
• Oversee the provision of support to Post-graduate Research (PGR) students and supervisors and deliver supporting workshops and induction sessions as and when appropriate.
• Support XJTLU in the provision of induction sessions for all new academic staff.
• Liaise closely with the University of Liverpool and the UK Higher Education Academy (HEA) to further develop the PG Cert programme and to develop and finalise accreditation projects.
• Collaborate with schools/academies and offices across the university, to support academic units and university priorities for education enhancement.
• Establish key partnerships with other offices on campus related to development of appropriate technologies and improvement of classroom space.
• Monitor Education Development Unit’s service levels and programme outcomes, and develop strategies for continuous improvement.
• Support university leadership team in the development of university policies and programmes that promote teaching excellence.
• Take the lead on key strategic working groups.
• Create and execute annual operational plan for Education Development Unit based on XJTLU and AoFE’s strategic direction. 

Below are key areas that the university pays attention to in terms of the next stage of development of EDU

1. Position EDU as a strategic unit that contributes substantially to the XJTLU vision in education exploration and education strategy 2026
2. CPD to involve all teachers, in particular senior teachers across the university
3. Outcomes and impact-based operation that pays attention to impact and outcomes that EDU brings to the university
4. Interaction and collaboration with schools/academies in particular to develop school expertise in faculty development
5. Each member of EDU produces substantial practice-based research outcomes
6. Empower each EDU member to be successful 

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:

• PhD degree in educational development or related area
• Experience in educational development in higher educational institutions
• Leadership experience in educational development

CITIZENSHIP AND VISA REGULATIONS

Employment at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University is regulated by Chinese Labour Laws, and must comply with the regulations of the provincial government. These regulations stipulate who is eligible for legal employment with regard to obtaining work permits and visas. Please be advised candidates over 65 may be not eligible for a work visa in the P.R. China. 

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

1. Clear career development path with annual review.
2. Professional development trainings are provided. 

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

SALARY: Competitive salary in the market

BENEFITS

1. Allowance: XJTLU provide various month/annual/one-off allowances as

• Housing allowance
• Travel allowance
• Kids’ education allowance
• Relocation allowance 

2. Commercial insurance: international insurance plans customized for XJTLU staff and family members. (details refer to the University Policy) 

3. Paid holidays:

• Statutory Holidays (13 days)
• Annual Leave (34 days)
• Family Matters Leave
• Paid Sick Leave
• Marriage Leave
• Paternity Leave
• Parental Leave 

4. Working visa and residence permit in China: XJTLU sponsors working visa and residence permit in China for the staff.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your application on our university website by clicking the 'Apply' button

Applications must be submitted in a single pdf file that includes 3 parts in the order of:

• A cover letter
• A current CV, including country of citizenship, and highest degree level
• Contact Details for Three References

For specific enquiries relating to the position, please email Executive Dean, Prof. Xiaojun Zhang at xiaojun.zhang@xjtlu.edu.cn

Informal enquiries may be addressed to HR at zhi.yang@xjtlu.edu.cn

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