Higher Education Lecturer

Short description

The award-winning West Ham United Foundation (WHUF) is seeking a Higher Education Lecturer to deliver on our innovative collaborative degree programmes in partnership with UEL.

At the heart and soul of London since 1895 West Ham United is a dynamic, fan-focused football Club constantly moving forward but always with an eye on the past.

Our home at the London Stadium has a capacity of 62,500 making it one of the biggest club Stadia in the country however our tickets are the lowest priced for London based clubs in the Premier League, echoing objectives to create Affordable Family Football.

In 2018, our Women's team gained a professional status for the very first time, jumping 2 divisions and competed in the Women's Super League (WSL), the premier division of women's football in England. After finishing a respectable 7th, the team enjoyed particular success in the FA Cup reaching the final of the competition, eventually being beaten by 2017 winners Manchester City.

In April 2019, we opened our brand-new Academy facility based at Chadwell Heath which will help to bring through some of the very best talents in the area, the recent emergence of First Team Players Declan Rice and Ben Johnson are a testament to the work already being done at the Academy.

On the business side, we are continuing to create a Stadium our supporters can call home, with the renaming of the Billy Bonds Stand and Claret and Blue pitch surrounding amongst the latest developments. Additionally, the Club has achieved the Disability Confident Leader status.

The Club employees a constantly growing workforce of approximately 300 core staff and 500 Foundation and events staff, and is a truly unique place to work. We welcome talented individuals who will thrive in our ambitious organisation.

In October 2023, West Ham United was awarded the Advanced level of the Premier League Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard, recognising the Club’s ongoing dedication and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). It is the second time West Ham United has received the award, which is the top accolade that can be achieved by Premier League clubs, having first been presented with the Advanced level in 2020.

The award-winning West Ham United Foundation (WHUF) is seeking a Higher Education Lecturer to deliver on our innovative collaborative degree programmes in partnership with UEL.

Our BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching & Performance degree programme offers students a unique chance to combine a programme of academic study and work placements with WHUF, WHU F.C and a range of partners. Through our links to a Premier League Football Club, students are provided with a range of exclusive opportunities giving them an insight into the sector and equipping them with the skills needed to be successful.

We are looking for an exceptional lecturer to work with the HE team on a full-time basis. The individual should have a good understanding of youth development in sport, sports coaching and able to effectively engage and motivate a diverse range of students. The successful candidate will have passion and commitment to make a real difference to the learning experiences, and lives, of the students on the programme.

Reporting to the Higher Education Manager the position is based at the UEL Docklands Campus with some outreach across East London

Key Responsibilities

•Lecture on WHUF collaborative degree programmes with the University of East London. This includes, but is not limited to, our BSc Sports Coaching and Performance programme (

•Contribute to curriculum development and support the wider learning pathway development across the WHU Foundation. Specifically, the post holder will support teaching in the following disciplines: sports coaching, professional development and performance sport (e.g. performance analysis, strength and conditioning or player care).

•Prepare teaching material as required for the allocated teaching contact hours and to support any related assessment in accordance to quality standards.

•Coordinating student work placements across the Foundation through liaising with the relevant line managers and overseeing the completion of the relevant documentation.

•Supporting the Higher Education Manager in sourcing new partnerships for both placements and guest lecturers.

•Support student work placements at Level 4, 5 and 6 through attending site visits and logging student hours.

•Support the wider staff team on student recruitment activities, including; UCAS Exhibition, creating marketing materials and leading on student open days.

Other Responsibilities:

•To support the design, preparation and development of teaching materials for the relevant collaborative degree programmes, across a range of modules.

•To contribute to module developments and deliver lectures, seminars, tutorials and other supervisory duties when needed.

•To assist in the development and delivery of appropriate strategies to facilitate and support students in learning activities.

•To undertake university, WHU Foundation and module administrative duties in consultation with the WHUF/UEL Programme Leaders where necessary.

•To support students throughout their work placements, this will involve;

oHelping to organise, monitor and evaluate students’ progress during placement.

oSupporting the Sport Management Intern to record relevant information by updating systems, documents and databases.

oAttending student placement site visits to ensure that all safeguarding procedures are in place and to help to build the relationship between the degree programmes and external partners.

•To keep up to date on the subject area and relevant policy and research developments.

•Understand and adhere to safeguarding policies and procedures, especially linking to student placements.

•To undertake professional development by participating in staff development (CPD) and training activities.

•To support or lead other duties as requested by the line manager/organisation

Qualifications & Experience:

Essential

· Relevant Postgraduate qualification in sports coaching, sports science or sports management

· Coaching qualification (Level 3)

· Teaching experience within Higher Education

Desirable

· PGCert Teaching and Learning (Higher Education)

Relevant Abilities/Skills/Knowledge:

• Ability to engage with a diverse range of students, both within both a group and one-to-one setting (E)
• Ability to plan engaging sessions that are relevant and appropriate for a formal learning environment (E)
• A relevant knowledge base that is up to date and relevant (E)
• Ability to work to deadlines and time-manage effectively. (E)
• Good communication and interpersonal skills both internally and externally, which are culturally competent. (E)
• Understanding of how to use data to inform delivery and measure impact. (E)
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and work within multiple deadlines. (E)
• Motivated and enthusiastic about our work. (E)
• Works collaboratively with others and prepared to work flexibility outside office hours on occasion. (E)
• Adhere to the principles of equality diversity and Inclusion. (E)
• Self-motivated and the ability to work on own initiative. (E)A creative, innovative thinker that is looking for ways to develop curriculum/programme content (E)
• Ability to think outside the box and problem solve. (D)
• Good ICT skills. (D)
• Understanding and commitment to the Club’s Equality Policy and ability to promote anti-discriminatory practice. (D)

EDI Statement

Our club's history is rooted in a solid commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and we openly strive to be leaders in promoting EDI values. West Ham United is tactical in its approach to addressing inequity and prioritising the undertaking of meaningful and lasting change for all.

We prioritise removing barriers to attracting and engaging the best talent from all communities. We are proactive in creating equal access to opportunities and benefits for everyone and a discrimination-free environment where everyone experiences being treated with dignity and respect regardless of their background, circumstances, or protected characteristics.

Safeguarding

At our Club and Foundation, we advocate a proactive approach to ensure every child and adult has the right to experience safety and be treated with care, respect, and dignity. Therefore, we prioritise protection from harm and promote safeguarding good practice and compliance as an integral part of all our operations and engagement. This includes conducting robust, safer recruitment checks to identify any potential risks associated with individuals who may pose a threat to children or adults who are at risk of harm.

Staff must follow the Club’s Safeguarding reporting procedures to report without delay allegations of abuse, poor practice, or anything else that is or may impact the welfare of a child, young person, or adult at risk. After contacting and taking guidance from the Safeguarding Team, staff must use the Club’s Child Protection Online Management System (CPOMS) to record the concern within 24 hours unless directed otherwise.