Main purpose of the job
The Senior Academic Developer will join a team of academic developers and learning technologists, within the ExPERT Academy (EA). The ExPERT Academy works with Schools and Colleges across the University to enhance expertise in teaching and learning, develop the curriculum, maintain teaching up-to-date approaches, and grow staff knowhow with a range of learning technologies. The ExPERT Academy’s main aim is to enhance the environment and the curriculum to deliver the highest standards of teaching and learning across the institution.
Please note, the confirmed date for interview for this vacancy is Thursday 20th January 2022.
Key areas of responsibility
- Course Leader for the University’s accredited academic practice courses undertaking all relevant activities to support course management (marketing, recruitment, teaching, assessment, tutoring and preparing for exam boards and reporting requirements for quality purposes).
- Take responsibility for Advance HE Fellowships at levels UKPSF D2 to D4, with the contribution of other senior academic developers in the EA.
- Take responsibility for and lead all processes related to the training and enhancement activities in Schools/Colleges under their remit, to support teaching excellence (online and in-person), curriculum development, academic practice and scholarship
- Oversee their Schools/Colleges’ online provision to deliver the highest quality on UWLFlex Online (our online environment); support institution-wide course validation processes to ensure successful validation of highly engaging online/blended courses; and provide all relevant pedagogic support
- Support and develop staff capability in flexible teaching on campus
- Opportunity to lead the University’s online Journal New Vistas for bi-annual publication release
- Provide leadership in relation to the role of quality processes in curriculum development, particularly (but not exclusively) to online and blended learning.
- Put in place systems to evaluate performance, report on usage, and monitor regularly the progress of UWLFlex
- Contribute to delivery of central academic development sessions, as part the ExPERT Academy programme of CPD
- Foster scholarship of teaching, and good practice dissemination with colleagues in the schools and professional areas who have an interest or expertise in learning and teaching.
- Engage with the mentoring process as a member of the ExPERT Academy.
- Contribute to the management, planning and delivery of the annual Festival of Learning and Teaching.
- Represent ExPERT Academy at relevant committees, and feedback to the ExPERT Academy.
- Lead or contribute to relevant University Committees, working groups, user groups as agreed with Head of ExPERT Academy; ensuring that consideration is given to the academic staff development needs arising from policy/organisational change.
- Represent and advance the interests of the University externally in relation to learning, teaching and pedagogic research and scholarship.
- In addition to the above areas of responsibility, undertake any other reasonable duties relating to the broad scope of the position.
Person Specification
Qualifications and/or membership of professional bodies
- Higher Degree (L7) and relevant professional experience in HE (E)
- Teaching Qualification or Fellowship of the HEA or above (E)
- SFHEA or evidence of engagement with the UK professional standards framework with intent to submit for UKPSF 3. (D)
- PhD (or close to completion thereof) (D)
Knowledge and experience
- Successful experience in similar roles demonstrating expertise and an authoritative understanding and knowledge of higher education, gained through a range of experiences, and exposure to different practices and processes. (E)
- Practical experience of supporting HE staff with professional development. (E)
- Evidence of being well acquainted with the UK professional standards framework (E)
- Knowledge of how people learn and experience of translating this into practice in relation to academic staff development. (E)
- Sustained experience of developing and/or leading successful curricula in Higher Education at all academic levels.(E)
- Sustained experience in scholarly inquiry/research in relation to learning and teaching in higher education reflected in extended external networks. (E)
- Experience of supporting students at postgraduate level. (E)
- Knowledge of current best practice particularly in relation to academic professional development and online curriculum design and teaching (E)
Specific skills to the job
- High proficiency and experience with a range of relevant online technologies used in support of learning (Blackboard, Collaborate, Turnitin, audience response systems, etc). (E)
- High level of familiarity with the UK Professional Standards Framework for Academic Practice. (E)
- Familiarity with TEF developments (E)
- Excellent skills in curriculum design and quality assurance/enhancement. (E)
- Research skills particularly in relation to producing high quality outputs. (E)
General skills
- Good management and team building skills. (E)
- Excellent networking and communication skills. (E)
- Excellent academic writing skills. (E)
- Outstanding professionalism. (E)
- Ability to work flexibly. (E)
Other
- Commitment to continuing professional development. (E)
(E) Essential (D) Desirable
The University of West London has appointed SearchHigher as their recruitment partner for this campaign; please apply below by submitting a CV & Cover Letter in Word Document format , or you can also email your documents to enquiries@searchhigher.com ; or call Kaye Powell on 07387238343 for a confidential conversation.