Campuses and Student Services
Director of Learning Services
Grade J, *£63,552 per annum
Location: South Wales, Pontypridd Campus
Internal/External Vacancy
Background
The University of South Wales (USW) is now a major player in the Higher Education market, one of the top ten
campus universities in the UK by student number. Formed in 2013 as the result of a merger between the former
University of Glamorgan and the University of Wales Newport, USW has already achieved national recognition in
a number of areas, notably for its work in student support and widening participation.
Within its Group structure are included the National Conservatoire of Wales (the Royal Welsh College of Music
and Drama) and a major college of further education (The College, Merthyr Tydfil). With campus locations in
Pontypridd, Cardiff, and Newport, its reach is both deep and wide.
Our Vision is to be “The University of choice in Wales and beyond for students, organisations and communities
who value vocationally-focussed education and applied research which provides solutions to problems that affect
society and the ecomony”.
We aim to achieve significant results from our applied research and we are seeking to further enhance our
growing reputation and portfolio of partnerships with major employers under our Business Engagement Strategy.
Current examples include British Airways and the National Health Service. We aim to strengthen our role as a
leading university for career progression that will be reflected in the employment rate of our graduates.
Innovative Learning and Teaching will be the foundation of our academic success linking strongly with a research
portfolio and commercial successes. The University’s membership of the St. David’s Day Group (USW plus the 4
research-led universities in Wales) is testimony to this performance and ambition.
The structure of the University at senior level comprises an Executive Team (VC, 2 DVCs, 2 PVCs), 4 Deans of
Faculty and Executive Directors of corporate areas. The Director of Learning Services role is within the Executive
Director Campuses and Student Services portfolio.
Amongst a variety of projects set up to integrate and develop USW is one that looks to create a “High
Performance University” with “success through people”, reflecting the commitment to harnessing the talents and
full engagement of staff.
Director of Learning Services - an opportunity to deliver your vision...
Having been through a period of change and development, with more exciting developments to achieve, we are
looking for a forward thinking creative leader and manager to join our team in taking our library and associated
services forward in a modern 21st century learning environment. This includes the development of integrated
services, collaborative working to achieve vibrant energetic and innovative social learning spaces, and on line
provision. Success will involve proactive collaboration across Campuses and Student Services as well as
partnership working with our Faculties.
The remit of this role is challenging, but with the potential to be highly rewarding. Strong leadership and
management within Learning Services is pivotal and candidates must be committed to achieve excellence in all
aspects of this professional services contribution.
As Director of Learning Services, you will be responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of Library
Services, Student Employability and Student Professional Development Services across our three campuses.
You will have sound experience in leading library developments, modernising library services and achieving
user-led service excellence, helping us to deliver library and learning resources that enhance our students’
experiences and support and facilitate the delivery of our strategic direction and Academic Plan.
The key aspect of your role will be the development and quality provision of Library Services. We have four
libraries and service delivery points on all campuses and operate both static and peripatetic services to ensure
our students receive equity and quality in provision. Campuses and Student Services work in partnership with
the Students Union to ensure students are fully involved in helping to shape services for the future
The secondary aspect of your role will relate to the employability agenda. You will have knowledge and
understanding of employability in the HE sector and show an active interest in the personal and professional
development of students in preparation for work experience and graduate employment. In this regard you will
oversee an experienced team of professionals in our newly formed employability service. Using your leadership
and management skills you will help to develop, motivate and guide this dynamic and proactive team to deliver
careers information and guidance, work placements and associated work experience opportunities, monitoring
performance and liaising with senior colleagues in faculties and Business Engagement to ensure appropriate
support is being delivered.
We are a University with locally rooted foundations and exciting global connections. As one of the largest
universities in the UK, we are focussing on distinctiveness in our programmes and exceptional learning
experiences. We are ensuring that our students are engaged with learning through active participation and
simulation. Our students will study off campus at home, on campus, in partnership with employers through a
variety of models including blended, intensive block mode and flexible time periods of delivery. The way we
embrace new technologies and provide relevant services to facilitate our delivery will be critical to their and our
success.
Our Academic Plan outlines the way in which we aim to enhance our students’ and stakeholders’ experiences in
order to meet our vision.
As a key member of Campuses and Student Services, you will work in partnership with colleagues in your team,
across faculties and with the Students Union. Your direct team will include the Director of Student
Administration Services, Director of Campus Services, Director of Student Services, all of whom work together to
ensure consistently excellent customer service, collaborative approaches to new developments and high
performance.
Campus and Student Services Structure
Departmental
Executive Director
Administration Support
Campuses and Student Services
Director of Student
Administration Services
Director of Student
Support Services
Student Administration
& Timetabling
Disability & Dyslexia
Assessment & Awards
Counselling
Student & Management
Information
Mental Health
Student Advice
SAS Campus Teams
Health
Resident Tutors
Money Services
Director of Campus
Services
Accommodation
Sport
Library Services
Catering
Employability & Student
Development Services
Conferencing
Creche
On-Line Student
Support Service
Learning Services Structure
Director of Learning
Services
Manager Library
Services x 2
Employability
Manager x 1
Director of Learning
Services (Vacant)
Student Development
and Study Skills
Manager x 1
Staff 50 + casuals
Staff 17
Staff 6.4
Budget £3.5m
Budget £900k
£300k
The terms and conditions of the post (including grade and salary) will be those of the University of South
Wales.
CLOSING DATE: 16th September 2015
JOB DESCRIPTION
Title: Director of Learning Services
Type of Contract: Permanent
Grade: J
Responsible to: Executive Director Campuses and Student Services
Strategic Direction from PVC Student Experience, DVC (Academic), DVC Strategic Resources
Responsible for: Department of Learning Services - Library Services, Employability and Student Development
Services
Main Purpose of the Job:
The Post holder will provide strategic and operational leadership for the University’s Learning and Student
Development Services and Environments across the University’s three campuses. This includes Library
Services, Student Employability and Student Professional Development Services.
The Post holder will ensure that the Learning Services continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of
students and academics. The Post holder will learn from best practice elsewhere and innovate so that the
service is forward looking and fit for the future in support of University strategic priorities.
As part of the Campuses and Student Services senior team, the role holder will play a key role in the
development and enhancement of the support for teaching and learning in partnership with senior academic and
professional service colleagues.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
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To contribute to the senior team, leadership aims and objectives of the University through support for
institutional activities and plans.
To work as part of a senior team in Campuses and Student Services, working supportively and
collaboratively to represent all student facing services within this portfolio.
To provide vision and strategic leadership and direction for Library Services
To ensure that Library, strategies, policies and services are aligned with the University Strategy;
oversee and monitor implementation of these.
To ensure a user-focused approach in partnership with academic departments and professional
services to develop high quality provision that meets the needs of academic departments, staff and
students.
To collaborate closely with faculties, academic departments and the Director of IT to ensure excellence
in the provision of digital/online Library resources, services and learning support.
To position the University competitively with new developments in areas such as digital content, online/distance service provision, Open Access, human resources and learning spaces.
To direct and manage the development of the University’s collections in support of learning, teaching
and research activity in partnership with faculties.
To develop and promote access to, and best use of, library collections and resources in line with shifting
student, academic needs and new technology.
To manage significant budgets (£4.6m) and take responsibility for the effectiveness and efficiency of
services operations and provisions.
To report on activity, performance and cost effectiveness, and ensure that decision making is based on
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the provision of high quality management information.
To be responsible for quality standards and compliance with quality frameworks, monitoring and
reporting on services to ensure appropriate internal and external benchmarking.
To represent the University and engage effectively in appropriate external networks, regionally,
nationally and internationally, ensuring the services are able to anticipate and meet new challenges.
To lead, inspire and develop staff, including performance management, change and succession
planning.
To oversee day to day operations in the Employability and Work Placement Services and contribute to
further developments. This includes student personal and professional development, co-curricular
activities, ensuring all academic programmes are supported to deliver real work experience, and that
the portfolio of employers willing to engage with USW expands in scope and reputation.
To contribute to new initiatives such as the integration of service delivery.
To undertake other duties commensurate with the role and as part of the senior team as requested by
the Executive Director.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Essential
Desirable
 Excellent analytical, problem-solving and
decision-making abilities.
 Excellent dynamic leadership, communication,
influencing and interpersonal skills, including a
record of successful internal and external
collaborations.
KNOWLEDGE
Essential
Desirable
 Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of
the UK Higher Education system, opportunities
and challenges services.
 Knowledge of current trends in broad learning
services and employability provision including
pedagogy,
processes,
communications,
publishing
EXPERIENCE
Essential
Desirable
 Demonstrable experience in Library, Information
 Record of working constructively in
Management
partnership with other senior and academic
managers, as well as students, demonstrating
 Evidence of achieving user-led service excellence
excellent communication and influencing skills
both in person, on line and through shared
services.
 Experience of successful management of large
teams and professionals in a multi site
environment.
 Experience of financial management involving
analysis and control of budgets and resources.
 Evidence of leading successful change
management and other projects
 Evidence of successfully modernising Library
Services and resources through digital/online
means and process improvement
TRAINING
Essential
 Relevant professional qualification
 Higher degree or equivalent
development
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Essential
Desirable
professional
Desirable
 Ability to speak Welsh