Head of Educational Services

Permanent position, 36.5 hours per week.

The School of Life Sciences is excited to introduce a new post of a Head of Educational Services. The postholder will be required to deliver strategic and operational leadership to the administration of teaching and learning to support the School’s objective of providing an educational provision that produces graduates able to face up to the challenges of the 21st century, whether presented at local, regional, national, or global levels. We are looking for an individual with a vision, experience, expertise, and drive they will be able to translate into building a truly exceptional professional service to support our academic endeavour.

The postholder will join the School’s Senior Management Group and will work closely with the Head of School, Deputy Head of School (Academic), and all Directors of Study. They will report to and deputise for the Head of Administration. They will be responsible for a growing team of 16, who look after the School’s nearly 1,500 students across all levels of study. The postholder will assist the School in scoping areas for further development and expansion of our teaching and learning provision, as well as guaranteeing active engagement with all quality assurance and enhancement processes internally, as well as externally.

Interview Date: TBC.

**JOB PURPOSE**:
To deliver strategic and operational leadership to the administration of teaching and learning in support of the School of Life Sciences’ objective to provide an outstanding teaching, learning and student experience throughout the student lifecycle. The postholder will lead on review, development, and implementation of administrative processes. They will design, develop and implement appropriate and effective systems and processes to support an exceptional educational experience for Life Sciences students at all levels of study and develop strategy relating to course delivery and programme enhancement. The Head of Educational Services will provide senior leadership to and oversight of the Educational Support Services and Student Experience & Employability Teams. The postholder will be the School’s key contact for teaching and learning matters and will be working very closely with central University teams, especially with regards to systems, processes and procedures. The postholder will also collaborate with counterparts in other academic departments to inspire and emulate good practice in teaching and learning.

**DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES**:
**Strategy**
- Working closely with key colleagues, the SLS Senior Management Group and the Teaching Strategy Committee, undertake a lead role in the development and delivery of the School's teaching and learning strategic plans.
- Keep abreast of Government white papers, policies and sector developments/best practice in order to drive, plan and implement strategies for future-proofing our course provision.
- Prepare and deliver quality assurance reviews of teaching and learning at the School of Life Sciences such as Institutional Teaching and Learning Review (ITLR), and TEF. Lead on the preparation of associated documentation and evidence base.
- Lead on the quintennial Royal Society of Biology accreditation exercises for BSc and MBio courses, as well as annual reviews, working closely with the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
- Work with the School’s Head of Administration to ensure that the development and implementation of the School’s strategic objectives is effectively coordinated and supported.
- Act as the intermediary between the School and other departments/the Faculty/University in matters relating to quality assurance, teaching and learning. Represent the School at a senior level, both within the University and externally.
- Contribute to University-level initiatives and inform institution-wide change, ensuring that Life Sciences and wider Faculty needs are reflected in all considerations by the Education Executive and other key University decision-making bodies.
- To represent the School in groups and decision-making concerning teaching/study spaces, noting that Life Sciences activity spans all three University campuses.

**Quality Assurance**
- Act as a key member of the Teaching Strategy Committee and Senior Management Group advising and briefing the Chairs and committee/group on academic standards, quality assurance, curriculum and programme design, regulatory compliance, recruitment, business development, placements, careers and skills.
- Chair working groups that may result from School teaching and learning initiatives, managing the prioritisation of activities and implementation of key improvement projects.
- Develop, manage and embed quality assurance policies, procedures and processes to assure the highest attainable standards of quality in all teaching and learning activities ensuring that they are fully compliant with the University’s regulations.
- Act as a source of expertise and School authority o