Appointment of Associate Dean of Education Westminster Business School
We re proud to be a University that develops the intellectual, physical, social and welfare elements of over 20,000 students. Our values are to be courageous, connected, generous, excellent and sustainable so we can face the issues of the modern world. Our four main campuses Regent, Marylebone, Cavendish and Harrow offer state-of-the-art facilities including 350-seater lecture theatres, the award-winning teaching and social space in the Psychology Department, the cutting-edge architecture studios, and the purpose-built Financial Markets Suite with Bloomberg platform. All have been extensively redeveloped to create fresh and inspiring places to learn and socialise, creating a unique university community. With a ten-year strategy to invest in our estate, there are great things ahead for our staff as well as our students. Our University has a long and proud tradition. Founded as The Polytechnic Institution in 1838, we are the original blueprint for the sought-after model of collaboration with industry and practice. Today we are a cosmopolitan university with a social conscience. Since our inception we have honoured the concepts of innovation and creativity combined with providing an education for all, irrespective of background, in order to shape and improve lives around the world. The University has always been, and continues to be, imaginative in recognising new needs and developing appropriate offerings for its many target markets. The University also has a strong and historic commitment to promoting equality and embracing diversity. As a place to work or to study, we strive to strengthen our reputation as a welcoming and inclusive organisation. We are dedicated to ensuring that Westminster graduates are confident, independent, highly employable and free thinking, furnished with the technical and analytical skills to compete in the global knowledge economy. Westminster students will benefit from the experience of a diverse, multicultural and vibrant learning community in the heart of London. ABOUT US 2
MAIN OBJECTIVES Current position and plans Located in the heart of London, the premier global city, we are a cosmopolitan university building on our roots as an innovative institution with a social conscience. We aspire to be a practice-focused university in the top half of HEIs in the UK with some disciplines in the top 500 worldwide. Occupying a distinctive place as an independent, commercially aware institution, Westminster will build to 2020 and beyond on its progressive, inclusive and enterprising history to shape the future of professional life. We will continue to create a rich, dynamic and inspirational university based on world-leading research, absorbing teaching, and enterprising education for all. Our confidence will be built on financial strength and a high-quality estate with a modern, technologically advanced infrastructure that provides strong evidence of our commitment to a green agenda. Our students will be global citizens, professional leaders, and lifelong learners, appreciating the need for interdisciplinary approaches in understanding and resolving the constantly evolving intellectual, professional and business challenges of the 21st century. Together these characteristics will position Westminster as the leading practice-focused London-based university. Organisation The University comprises five faculties. The University Executive Board comprises the Vice- Chancellor and President, Provost, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement), Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Experience), University Registrar, Director of Finance and Operations, Director of Recruitment, Admissions and External Affairs, and the five Faculty Deans. Corporate Services The Corporate Services functions provide the effective and professional delivery of services in support of teaching, research and knowledge transfer, and the management of student residences and sports facilities. The Corporate Services Departments are: Academic Registry Admissions Alumni and Fundraising Commercial Development and Business Services Communications Corporate Planning and Performance Estates Planning & Services Financial Services Governance, Risk & Security Human Resources Management Information Systems and Support International Recruitment and Partnerships Libraries & Curriculum Support Marketing Services Organisational Development and Well-being Student Affairs. Faculty of Architecture and Built Environment (Marylebone) Faculty of Science and Technology (New Cavendish) Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (including Languages and the Westminster Law School) (Regent St) Westminster Business School (Marylebone) Westminster School of Media, Arts and Design (Harrow) 3
WESTMINSTER BUSINESS SCHOOL The Westminster Business School was established in 1997 and is located in Central London at the University s Marylebone Campus. The School has a large and diverse student community of 4,400 students, enrolling over 1000 undergraduate and 600 postgraduate students each year. The School has around 200 full-time faculty and 100 visiting lecturers, making it one of the largest University business schools in the UK. Under the leadership of our new Dean, Professor Malcolm Kirkup, the School s vision is to gain worldwide recognition as an internationally facing, professionally applied and research-engaged Business School. The School delivers teaching, research and academic enterprise through six Departments: Accounting, Finance and Governance Human Resource Management Leadership and Professional Development Marketing and Business Strategy Economics and Quantitative Methods Business Information Management and Operations Education In our teaching activities, we deliver applied, practical programmes linked closely to the requirements of business and the professions. Our programmes have accreditation from the following professions: the Association of MBA s (AMBA), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), Association for Project Management (APM), Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), Chartered Management Institute (CMI), Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI), Institute of Direct and Digital Marketing (IDM), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and Digital Marketing Institute (DMI). The School is also working towards accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Such accreditations, together with the strength of our corporate connections, means the Faculty is able to ensure a strong professional practice focus. Our team of exceptional faculty bring together a unique combination of academic, professional and industrial experience. Accordingly, our curriculum is professionally and practically focused, but underpinned by applied research. In addition, there is a strong emphasis on connected and integrated thinking and breaking down the traditional silos in business and management education. We deliver our programmes in high-spec teaching and study facilities, in a recently modernised complex on the Marylebone Road. Our teaching facilities include a state-of-the-art Financial Markets Suite which features Bloomberg terminals and software. We are currently constructing a unique Board Room Lab to provide a facility to develop student s communication skills to enhance their impact in business meetings. This facility will launch in September 2017. 4
WESTMINSTER BUSINESS SCHOOL Research The Business School hosts three Research Centres that have portfolios of research recognised to be internationally worldleading and excellent. These are the Centre for Employment Research, the Centre for Research in Finance and Financial Services and the Centre for the Study of the Production of the Built Environment. These Centres attract funding from leading grant awarding bodies such as ESRC, the Leverhulme Trust and the Nuffield Foundation. We are investing considerably in our research activities, and this includes the appointment of five new Professorial faculty in 2016/17 and the establishment of a new Centre for Entrepreneurship. Our research community includes a growing PhD programme, with plans to expand to 70+ research students over the next three years. Academic Enterprise The School has a thriving portfolio of executive education programmes and also undertakes consultancy for a wide range of businesses and public sector organisations. Particularly successful short courses include training and development for leadership in healthcare, the Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing, open courses including Women for the Board and a series of APMG-accredited Project Management programmes. The School also undertakes contract work for organisations such as The Royal Society, the Department for Business Innovation and Skills and the Government Equalities Office. The School is involved in a number of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) as well as research and development projects for business organisations. Global Engagement The School has one of the most diverse student and staff communities in the UK. We attract 46% of the University s postgraduate intake of non-uk enrolments and 38% of undergraduate non-uk enrolments. We have a diverse and cosmopolitan international student profile, with a third of non-uk students coming from the EU, a third from South East Asia and a third from the rest of the world. We enjoy a wide range of partnerships with international universities. We have 43 active Exchange partnerships (Australia, North America, China and six European countries) and new partnerships are being established in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Chile and Brazil. We aim to have 60 exchange partners by 2018/19 (both short and long-stay) to meet our 20% outward mobility objective by 2020. A combination of progression agreements, validations and franchise agreements provide relationships with 20 institutions. This is set to grow, as new agreements are being established in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and China. Uniquely, we have a thriving partnership in Uzbekistan, through the Westminster International University in Tashkent, where large numbers of students are engaged in studying a range of our validated and franchised undergraduate and postgraduate business programmes. 5
THE APPOINTMENT 1. JOB TITLE: Associate Dean of Education Westminster Business School 2. reports TO: Pro Vice Chancellor and Dean of School 3. ROLE PURPOSE: the Associate Dean has primary responsibility for the strategic planning and operational management and development of the School s undergraduate and postgraduate portfolio of programmes and collaborative educational partnerships. the Associate Dean will provide academic leadership and strategic direction for the educational mission of the School, supporting the Dean to deliver on the School s KPIs relating particularly to the Teaching Excellence Framework. the Associate Dean will be a member of the Faculty Executive Group (FEG) and the Faculty Operations and Resources Committee (FORC) and will assist the Dean in the management of the School and implementation of its academic activities. The Associate Dean will also play a key role liaising with other senior university staff on behalf of the Dean as appropriate. 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES: 4.1 to lead on the planning and development of a marketdriven, and financially sustainable, portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the UK and internationally. This will include rationalisation of programmes which are not economically viable or which do not support the Faculty s market position or objectives. 4.2 to lead on designing and reviewing proposals for innovative and competitive new courses (UG and PG) that will help position Westminster Business School as a market leader in professionally-oriented and applied education. This will include championing the development of interdisciplinary programmes in collaboration with other University faculties where such programmes can bring unique market offers and additional revenue streams to the School and University. 4.3 to develop and deliver improvements in the teaching, support, assessment, retention, employability and student experience outcomes associated with the Teaching Excellence Framework in order to enhance the national and international ranking of the Faculty. 4.4 to strengthen and extend the School s accreditation profile, to ensure professional recognition for all programmes and to secure and retain AACSB accreditation. 4.5 to be a senior member of the School Executive Group contributing to the leadership of colleagues in their respective roles and to deputise for the Dean as appropriate. 4.6 to line-manage the Faculty Directors of Learning and Teaching, Quality and Internationalisation, and Directors of UG, PG and MBA Programmes and collectively, and in association with Heads of Department, oversee the management, monitoring and improvement in the quality of the Faculty s programmes in line with University and other relevant standards and regulations. 4.7 to ensure the consistent provision of feedback, guidance and staff development for teaching and learning and the monitoring of performance against clear and equitable standards and university policies, ensuring that colleagues provide accurate and timely information to its administrative and student communications systems. 4.8 to guide the strategic development of international education partnerships, and to support the Dean and the Faculty Director of Internationalisation with negotiations and ongoing partner relationships. 4.9 to formulate and implement an annual strategy to improve learning, teaching, quality assurance and the student experience for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. 6
NOTE: This job description does not form part of the employee s contract of employment but is provided for guidance. The precise duties and responsibilities of any job may be expected to change over time. Job Holders should be consulted over any proposed changes to this job description before implementation. 4.10 to contribute to the development and implementation of a distinctive marketing strategy for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, consistent with the national and international marketing strategy of the Faculty and the University. 4.11 to maintain excellence in their own profile in teaching and research, and to represent and promote the Faculty externally through collaborations and partnerships, as well as presenting at conferences and related fora in the UK and internationally. 4.12 in collaboration with the Registrar and Director of UG and PG Programmes, to oversee the resolution of student complaints and appeals including the student disciplinary procedure as required. 4.13 to undertake such tasks as the Dean may determine from time to time, commensurate with the grade of the post, and to deputise for the Dean as appropriate. 5. Context The Faculty s portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes determines our competitiveness and our long term financial sustainability. Enhancing and maintaining the quality of our programmes, and the associated student experience, are therefore critical and unambiguous priorities. Delivering successfully on these priorities, however, is becoming more challenging as the higher education market heads into a period of volatility, uncertainty and complexity as a result of changes in the economic outlook, regulation, competition, technology and student and employer demands. In the face of these challenges, the Faculty needs to strengthen its strategic leadership capacity and capability, particularly in directing the development of its educational agenda. The Associate Dean of Education will support the work of the Dean in this critical area. 6. Management Context The Associate Dean is an established permanent position and is a full-time management role requiring a commitment to, and broad understanding of, the main academic disciplines taught within the Faculty. Associate Deans are expected to maintain their personal teaching and research interests. The Associate Dean supports the Pro-Vice Chancellor and Dean of School who has overall charge of the quality of teaching, research and academic enterprise, and the provision of all services to students and other client groups within the School and external to the University. The University operates a devolved management structure and each Faculty/School is responsible for the development and implementation of business and strategic plans to ensure that its income exceeds its expenditure by an appropriate margin, and the Associate Dean undertakes a key role to achieve this. The Associate Dean is expected to take an active and effective role in University strategic and operational management, and to undertake representational duties locally, nationally and internationally. Depending on the subject areas within the Faculty, they will also have a key role representing the University and their subject discipline with professional bodies, research funding councils, and industry groups. 7. Dimensions Staff Managed Faculty Director of Learning and Teaching Faculty Director of Quality Faculty Director for Internationalisation Director of Undergraduate Studies Director of Postgraduate Studies Director of MBA Budgets As delegated in order to meet strategic and annual plans of the Faculty and University. 7
PERSON SPECIFICATION 8.1 Qualifications A Masters degree in a business subject area or Masters degree in other subject, plus professional qualification in business subject area is essential. A PhD in a business subject area and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy is essential, including a strong research record or professional practice in an area within the subjects covered by the Faculty are essential. 8.2 Experience The role holder will be a Professor or, would meet the requirements to be confirmed as a member of the University s Professoriate at appointment. An outstanding track record of personal achievement in learning, teaching, research and quality. Evidence of the ability to successfully manage and motivate staff and other resources within a matrix management structure would be a distinct advantage. A high level of analytical and administrative ability is essential as well as significant experience of academic administration, such as programme leadership, quality assurance, marketing and curriculum development. A proven track record of business planning, resource management, and understanding, interpretation and implementation of strategic initiatives to address the key issues affecting HE are essential. Specific attributes would include a track record of significant achievement in the following areas: Demonstrable evidence of innovation in learning, teaching and quality; Experience of teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level in Higher Education; experience of course leadership at undergraduate and postgraduate level; In-depth knowledge of developing UK University/HE systems and procedures with particular reference to curriculum development, quality assurance and enhancement; Experience of leadership of annual monitoring, transition and periodic review and QAA Audit; Proven track record of successful management in a public or private organisation, including managing and leading successful team; Evidence of fostering a culture of continuing professional development to ensure commitment and enhanced curriculum outcomes; Substantial experience of HE programme management with evidence of successful cross collaboration within and across Departments and Faculties, business partners, industry and professional bodies, preferably including some international experience; Developing business plans, fee structure, budgets and project plans and successfully managing resources within them; Experience of leading and successfully gaining external accreditation for professional courses, e.g. AMBA, CIPD, ACCA, etc; Experience of building and managing relationships with overseas partners. 8.3 Aptitudes and Abilities Essential qualities include: Leading change by championing the vision and supporting the people involved. Planning and putting in place the necessary resources and supporting systems, including monitoring and communications; Taking ownership and control and exercising leadership; initiating action and taking responsibility; Setting ambitious but realistic goals. Showing commitment to their own personal development and identifying development strategies needed to achieve work and career goals; Seeing and contributing to the big picture, showing the way forward so others understand what they must do to align their efforts to university-wide goals; Providing direction, inspiring others and taking responsibility for contributing to and delivering results to achieve the University s vision/goals. 8.4 Other The candidate must show willingness to travel overseas in support of external partners. It is desirable that the candidate is familiar with/experience of working with relevant bodies associated with Business Schools, for example: AACSB, QAA, ABS, HEFCE and AMBA. 8
How to apply To apply, please visit our website at westminster.ac.uk/westminster-business-school-vacancies and complete the online application form and send along with your CV. Applications should arrive no later than close of business on Wednesday 8 February 2017. Interviews will be held on Thursday 30 March 2017. Administrative contact (for queries only): Resourcing@westminster.ac.uk Please note: we are unable to accept any applications by email. All applications must be made online. CVs in isolation or incomplete application forms will also not be accepted. Please be aware that, for this role, you will need to provide details of three referees. These referees will be contacted at the shortlisting stage, for those candidates selected for interview, and asked to review your application against our Professorial criteria. 9
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