POSITION DESCRIPTION-SCHEDULE A POSITION DESCRIPTION DOCUMENT PURPOSE The purpose of this position description document is to provide you with a clear understanding of your role, and how that role fits within Melbourne Institute of Technology (MIT) as an organisation. This document provides an outline of your key areas of accountability and desired outcomes from satisfactory performance of the role. It does not provide an exhaustive list of tasks and activities that are required to be performed in order to fulfil the role. POSITION DETAILS Position Title: School / Division: Associate Director Student Engagement Department of Student Engagement Classification Level 10 Campus: Melbourne and Sydney ROLE The Associate Director, Student Engagement, reports to the Director of Marketing and Student Engagement of the Institute and the members of the Executive Management. The Associate Director Student Engagement will foster, direct and implement student engagement across both campuses and will forge opportunities for students to be committed members of the institute. The role involves creating an environment that will realise students learning potential and maximise their educational achievements, as well as helping them develop critical thinking and ethical leadership through their student journey. The Associate Director will work closely with both senior and all members of staff to achieve the outcome. MIT VISION AND GOALS Founded in 1996, Melbourne Institute of Technology (MIT) has grown dynamically as one of the leading private, higher education providers in Australia with campuses in Melbourne and Sydney. MIT is a teaching only Higher Education Institution. Our vision, mission, values and goals as approved by the MIT Board of Directors in December 2014 are set out below. Vision MIT aspires to be a leading private higher education provider nationally and internationally by proactively developing innovative educational approaches to meet industry needs and by a commitment to inspire tomorrow s graduates. Mission MIT, through its higher education programs and personalised and transformational student experience, provides the opportunity for individuals to access knowledge and to enrich and transform their futures. 1 P a g e
Values 1. Excellence; 2. Integrity; 3. Accountability; Excellence in learning Excellence in teaching 4. Transformational Change. Goals and Priorities: 1. To provide high quality programs that meet the needs of our students and industry; 2. To provide an inclusive environment where all students have the opportunity to succeed; 3. To strengthen institutional effectiveness, financial sustainability, collegial governance and sense of community; 4. To make collaboration an integral part of all our activities. MIT ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE MIT business model comprises four (4) key focus areas as guided by its vision: Academia, Finance, Marketing, and Operations. Our organisational structure is designed to ensure each of these areas is fully resourced. Our Executive Management Team is responsible for the development of our strategic plan, and effective implementation of strategies across all business areas. It comprises our: Chief Executive Officer Managing Director Director of Marketing & Student Engagement Academic Director Human Resources Director (pro term) Campus Director, and General Manager ORGANISATION CONTEXT Student Engagement is one that is holistic and will have an impact on all of MIT plans, activities and outcomes. Every action that the Institute takes has the potential to enhance the engagement of students in that particular facet, whether it is academic, operational, finance or marketing. The aims of student engagement are to: Forge opportunities for students to become engaged and committed members of the Institute, Challenge students to apply critical thinking and ethical leadership principles, Immerse students in a diverse culture that encourages exploration of their identity, Embody the values of a just society and build a strong sense of campus community, and Realise the students learning potential and maximise their educational achievements. RESPONSIBILITIES 2 P a g e
The Associate Director, Student Engagement is responsible for assisting in the development, implementation and evaluation of all aspects of the Institute s student engagement activities, and will contribute to the success of the institute s overall goals and objectives. This responsibility incorporates the areas as set out below but not limited to: Area Institute s Environment Outcomes In accordance with the Institute s Student Support Services Plan: Assist in developing an environment that is educationally stimulating and includes the opportunity to discuss, explore concepts and discover new ideas Be aware of the profile of the student community and the minority and majority groups and the differences that will impact on their engagement Be aware of the students needs, aspirations and motivation and adjust student engagement activities according to changing factors Promote student engagement and relevant knowledge to all Institute staff whether full time or part time; academic or administrative Ensure that there is sufficient orientation and transitional support for students Policy and procedures Ensure: Expectations for student engagement are realistic and achievable and are communicated throughout the institute and are reflected in institute policies and procedures. obtain students commitment and empower them to challenge and actively deal with matters that may jeopardise their ability to complete their program of study or other students commitment to complete ensure that all students are aware of the necessary policies and procedures, including the grievance procedure in order to have a regulated, smooth and successful and knowledgeable student life 3 P a g e
Student Services Administration activities (including enrolments and management of student records ) Enrolment activities Leadership in the student services & engagement department In guidance with the students requirements and needs: provides a range of support services such as advocacy, counselling, health, welfare, accommodation and career services which are run by qualified personnel and evaluated by the students Ensure administration activities in both student administration and academic area (the latter in consultation with HOS and FedUni coordinators). Efficiently retain all data accurately and in accordance with approved policies and procedures Facilitate compliance with Partner Institutes (Federation University) policies and procedures in matters relating to student services. Facilitate compliance with all government and other regulatory bodies Ensure that the Manager Student Service: Liaise with the Academic HOS and FedUni Coordinators in relation to timetable, units and additional staffing during intakes. Provides appropriate training for academic administration staff so that they can provide directional and general information to other staff and students in the context of student enrolment processes. Liaises with partner provider in relations to student enrolments and reenrolments Ensures that documents and records are accurate, completed and filed in an appropriate and timely manner Ensures that the academic administration staff provide accurate, timely and comprehensive information and advice in relation to enrolment, course requirements, credit transfers and general administrate queries. Ensure provision of high quality services in the following areas/functions: Enrolments and student records services Student experience and engagement Student Welfare, Counselling and Services 4 P a g e
Student Recreational Services Student support Services (accommodation, airport pick up, buddying, mentoring, study support etc.) Help Desk services (reception, some accounts support etc.) Being in charge of the day to day operational matters of the Department. Monitoring progress towards goal achievement and implementing timely corrective action (when required) Ensure: timely reporting of progress against objectives revision of plans to take into account changed circumstances (when required) appropriate action is taken in order to achieve goals Special projects Ensure special projects and tasks assigned (as may be from time to time) are carried out efficiently and effectively. COMPETENCIES The following core competencies are required to effectively fulfil the requirements of this role: General management skills (ie skills and abilities required to manage not only self but others including delegation, supervision, communication) Team contributor Technical skills and knowledge: o o Recognised degree and postgraduate qualification in relevant field Higher education services, administrative, student engagement and its management experience. KEY SELECTION CRITERIA Application letter and resume must address the qualification/knowledge/experience/attributes section under the key selection criteria Qualifications: Include all educational and training qualification, Requirement professional membership, criminal record check report etc 1. Recognised degree and postgraduate qualification in business, IT or relevant field Knowledge/Experience/Attitude/Skills 5 P a g e
2. Demonstrated Senior Student Services leadership in a higher education institution (including strategic planning and people management). And ability to work independently and as part of the senior management of the Institution. 3. Experience in project management including designing and maintaining quality assurance frameworks for higher education institutions. 4. Appreciation and an understanding of service contracts in higher education environment. 5. Demonstrated commitment to and enthusiasm for learning and teaching. 6. Demonstrable student engagement activities at a senior level with a focus on student outcomes (completions, progression, attrition and retention) 7. Demonstrated capacity to play a leading role in student experience, engagement, administration and its management 8. Demonstrated capacity to work effectively with professional bodies and other external stakeholders with demonstrated superior communication and negotiation skills. 9. Appreciation of cultural awareness and issues relating to the diverse cultural background of the student body and knowledge of ESOS and other appropriate legislation as it affects student s welfare PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SCHEDULE B Staff performance is managed in accordance with MIT Performance Management System which incorporates: Regular performance reviews Ongoing feedback Identification of professional development needs and provision of support Reward structure Focus area Measure - example Student retention (student and staff engagement quality) Implementation of Student engagement plan MIT wide Relationships internal Student survey and statistics Effectiveness of the Student Engagement Plan MIT Wide Staff statistics retention, outcomes from performance reviews 6 P a g e
Relationships within and across campus, effective communication and positive interactions of such relationships. Relationships external Maximisation of resources Survey and statistics Student engagement externally student functions (including industry referrals, alumni activities, On campus events involving industry etc) Project business case (including value for money considerations) Innovation new initiatives and programs 7 P a g e