Associate Dean Business Management

Scholars School System is a project of UK CURRICULUM & ACCREDITATION BODY (UKCAB, a registered charity founded in 2006) and has vibrant campuses across the United Kingdom in Birmingham, Manchester, London, Bradford, and Leicester.

We are in search of a dedicated Associate Dean- Business Management to join our mission of delivering world-class education from Foundation Year to Level 7, in collaboration with prestigious partners like Leeds Trinity University. Over 5000 (UK and EU) learners have successfully completed their learning journey in the last five years with the current student population being over 5000.

The Associate Dean of Business Management will support the Executive Team and School Leadership Team to provide strategic and operational leadership to the School’s activities and ambitions, with a strong emphasis on driving innovation, communicating best practice and promoting a vibrant culture to support the student academic experience within the School. The key driver is promoting success for all our students.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

·       Provide strategic and operational leadership in the development and review of the School’s portfolio of undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes, including the implementation of University policy in learning, teaching and assessment. 

·      Share collective responsibility and be a positive role model in providing clear and effective leadership to the School, promoting a sense of collegiality and ambition, to deliver academic excellence.

·       Have collective responsibility in facilitating the development of strong relationships between departments and across campuses to promote a vibrant and responsive culture to support the highest quality student experience. 

·       Promote innovation and excellence in student education maximising the benefits of digital and other resources to support learning, with a focus on student partnership and students as change agents.

·       Ensures effective communication and collaboration within the School, across the University and with relevant internal and external stakeholders to ensure joined up working, identify opportunities, maximise benefits and achieve goals

·       Working with Senior Management Team and Heads of Department within the University’s framework for quality standards, ensure the best academic experience for students on undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes.

·       Membership of relevant School Committees/Boards and other working groups and report on delivery against targets and write relevant reports as required in a timely manner.

·       Liaise and act as a key point of contact with staff at partner institutions

·       Represent the University nationally to enhance our external profile and to generate benefits for the University as a whole

·       Working with the relevant Senior Management Team play an integral role in ensuring that alignment of best practice and innovation is shared and promoted across the University.

·       Support and value educators through the professional development of School staff, in particular as it relates to a research-led and scholarly approach to teaching excellence

·       Play an integral role in the promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion where staff and students are valued and have a sense of belonging

·       Lead the strategic development and review of the School’s portfolio of undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes.

·       Line manages the Business management Team, ensuring that all staff work towards their professional development in enhancing their own learning and have on-going support to fulfil their role effectively.

·       Work in a timely manner to ensure that teams have the required number of staff to undertake teaching and learning activities required for student success.

KPIs:

Strategic: -

Work strategically with Deans and Heads of Department to achieve SSS organisational goal and vision 

Review teaching and peer review observation provision for academic staff

Introduction of personal developmental plan for academic staff 

Academic staff are supported to undertake education and training to progress their knowledge and expertise, including mentoring staff to achieve HEA Fellowship.

Create a culture where research informed teaching and learning is embraced across the University. Academic staff are supported to develop research expertise and knowledge and undertake research projects to enhance teaching and learning across the university

Organise annual research conference for staff

To build on current CPD courses and activities in the development of academic staff working within Business Management by conducting a training needs analysis of academic staff

Within teaching and learning, academic staff will be supported to enhance assessment and feedback for consistency and equity of student experience

To develop a framework for graduate attributes and outcomes for levels 3-7 students in alignment with the OFS B3 threshold 

Departmental: - 

·       Curriculum Development: Review and update Business Management modules in alignment with academic quality standards in the delivery of contemporary education.

·       Student Satisfaction Surveys: Measure student satisfaction with teaching quality, learning resources, support services, and overall educational experience.

·       Retention Rates: Monitor student retention and graduation rates to assess the effectiveness of teaching and learning initiatives in keeping students engaged and progressing towards their degrees.

·       Campus Development Participation: Monitor centres engagement in professional development activities related to teaching effectiveness, instructional technology, and pedagogical innovation.

·       Course Completion Rates: Track the percentage of students who successfully complete courses within the expected timeframe, indicating the effectiveness of teaching methods and course design.

·       Graduate Outcomes: Track the post-graduation success of students, such as employment rates, further education enrollment, and career advancement, to evaluate the relevance and effectiveness of the educational programmes.

·       Accreditation Compliance: Ensure compliance with accreditation standards related to teaching and learning, including assessment practices, curriculum content, and Centres qualifications.

·       Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives: Monitor progress towards enhancing diversity and inclusion in teaching and learning environments, including representation of underrepresented groups among students and Centres.

·       Budget Management: Evaluate the efficient allocation of resources for teaching and learning initiatives, including Centres support, instructional materials, technology infrastructure, and student support services.

·       Introduce academic writing workshops for students and review other academic needs and develop resources accordingly

The job description may be altered at any time in the future, in line with the level of the post, to meet changing institutional requirements and the growing dynamic environment of higher education. Any changes will be made in full consultation with the post holder.

Person Specification: Please ensure that your application statement provides clear and specific examples to illustrate how you meet each essential criterion. Applicants that fail to do so will not be shortlisted.

Please see Key below

Ph.D. in related field

Higher Education teaching qualification PGCert/SFHEA

Must know HEI and private sector

Administrative experience and a strong record of increasingly responsible leadership in academic administrations, including supervisory and management experience

Leadership skills, interpersonal skills, and ability to work collaboratively with staff in the office and across the university college

Experience working in a diverse higher education environment and a commitment to advancing racial equity and justice

Ability to deal sensitively with confidential information and ensure that the office maintains a high degree of professionalism and discretion

Strong written and oral communication skills

Compensation and Perks:

Salary: Competitive.

Working Hours: 9 am to 6 pm, on-site.

Travel requirements for business purposes.

Annual Leave: 28 days plus bank holidays.

Incentives: Up to £5k annually, based on quarterly KPIs post-probation.

Salary Growth: 3% annual increase, subject to KPI achievement.

A generous relocation allowance is available for candidates considering a move to either Birmingham or Manchester campuses.

Additional Benefits:

Company pension scheme.

Access to discounted or complimentary food.

Performance-related bonus structure.

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent