JOB DESCRIPTION
Associate Dean and Head of Department of Teacher Education
Details
Job Title:
Associate Dean and Head of Department
Department:
Faculty of Education and Sport and Dept Teacher Education
Job Reports To:
Dean of Education and Sport
Location:
Bedford
Post Number:
Pay Point:
Spot salary
Context
As a key member of the Faculty Executive Group, associate deans support the Executive Dean
(henceforth referred to as the Dean) in providing academic and managerial leadership to the Faculty,
liaising as appropriate with external agencies and internal departments to maintain standards of
provision and secure income streams.
This post in particular includes to specific responsibilities:
a) Head of Department of Teacher Education. Heads of Department offer leadership and
management to the team of departmental academic and professional support staff to deliver a
high quality student experience develop and oversee delivery of the department’s portfolio,
ensure it performs highly against all relevant quality review and inspection standards and
remains a financially sustainable area of our activity, and support the development of
excellent research.
b) Strategic and managerial leadership of the Faculty’s education partnership activity
(schools and other educational settings) to ensure effective business development
and high quality provision.
Key Elements (please tick as appropriate)
1 This post has MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY
.
2 This job requires SAFEGUARDING
.
3 This is a KEY POST (i.e. must have nominated deputy)
.
YES x
NO
YES
NO
YES x
NO
Principal Accountabilities
As Associate Dean
To support the Dean:
1. To provide academic leadership and day-to-day management for the Faculty
2. To propose, develop and implement policy and strategic initiatives
3. To enhance the student experience
4. To maintain all aspects of quality in the Faculty
5. To recruit to courses
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x
JOB DESCRIPTION
Associate Dean and Head of Department of Teacher Education
6. To ensure all policies and regulations of the University are operationalised effectively within
the Faculty, paying particular regard to staff welfare, health and safety and financial
regulations
7. By deputising for the Dean in his/her absence
8. By taking on designated roles and responsibilities as requested
9. By undertaking any other reasonable duties
Designated responsibility as Head of Department of Teacher Education:
10. To offer academic leadership to the team of departmental academic and professional support
staff, managing and supporting them in a way that enables them to fulfil their potential and
perform against expectations
11. To ensure students on departmental courses have a high quality experience of teaching and
local pastoral care
12. To ensure the department’s courses perform highly against all relevant quality review and
inspection standards, undertaking effective continual improvement planning
13. To maintain oversight of all elements of the teacher training partnership, whether by directly
line managing staff or working collaboratively across boundaries, in order to ensure the
partnership is working in an efficient and integrated manner to provide high quality training
14. To develop all aspects of the department's academic provision, identifying, evaluating and
responding creatively and innovatively to new ideas and market trends in their subject
15. To manage resources of the department (financial, human and physical) so that agreed
targets are met including the necessary development and innovation to secure further
success
16. To ensure that the department has an appropriate and evolving portfolio of courses and
consultancy / professional development products and activities
17. To ensure that the department has a portfolio of research, including funded projects,
commensurate with its size and subject focus;
18. To ensure that agreed student recruitment and retention agreed targets are met
19. To ensure that the department carries out appropriate strategic and business planning as
required
20. To keep the Faculty, Department and University fully informed of changes in the requirements
of teacher training, and of changes in stakeholder policy and emerging practice and policy
21. To contribute to the academic development of the Faculty and the wider University
community, and to chair and participate as appropriate in University/Faculty committees
and/or project task groups
22. To maintain a personal level of research and scholarly activity and/or professional practice as
appropriate, and contribute to national and international subject development
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JOB DESCRIPTION
Associate Dean and Head of Department of Teacher Education
23. To maintain the engagement of the department and its members in the operation and
development of the University, ensuring that they are fully informed of developments and
changes in policy and practice, and operate accordingly
Designated responsibility as strategic lead for education partnerships:
24. To provide strategic leadership and management of the Faculty’s education
partnership activity (schools and other educational settings) across all departments to
support curriculum development and delivery, including short courses and
consultancy, and research
25. To ensure the growth and business development of our education provision through
the submission of bids and tenders and the nurturing of new and existing partnerships
26. To lead on contract management for all education partnership activity including financial, legal
and quality aspects
27. To ensure opportunities are maximised for education placements and work
experience ensuring their delivery is managed efficiently and effectively.
28. To liaise with other relevant heads of department to facilitate synergies and support
their work with schools and other educational settings
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JOB DESCRIPTION
Associate Dean and Head of Department of Teacher Education
Essential Criteria
Qualifications
Knowledge
Desirable Criteria
Evidence
(Indicate were evidence will
be assessed from )


Application Form
Interview
Knowledge of current changes impacting on
higher education provision in the UK


Application Form
Interview
Demonstrably successful and substantial
leadership and management role(s) in higher
education.
Experience of managing course planning
and course delivery in a higher education
(or similar) setting


Application Form
Interview
Substantial experience of strategic and
operational planning.
Evidence of excellence in UG/PG research
supervision
Wide-range of experience related to quality
assurance and enhancement.
Experience of/or inclination to bid for
research funding and/or commercial
activities
A doctorate or professional equivalent or
standing
QTS
A management qualification or equivalent
level achieved through formal CPD
HEA recognition
Knowledge of the Government’s higher
education agenda and an understanding of the
challenges facing higher education, particularly
in the area of the Faculty’s specialisms:
Education and Sport
Understanding of current issues facing Teacher
Training in the UK and internationally and their
implications for ITT provision and practice
Experience
A record of current research activity suitable
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JOB DESCRIPTION
Associate Dean and Head of Department of Teacher Education
Evidence of employing successful team
leadership skills including performance
management
for REF or equivalent engagement with
policy or practice contexts.
Evidence of engagement in successful
OFSTED inspections
Experience of teaching, learning and
assessment
Experience of successful change management
in an educational environment
Skills/abilities/c
ompetencies
Proven ability to organise a demanding workload
and to manage time effectively
A strong entrepreneurial approach to business
development
Evidence of strong communication, presentation
and teaching skills
Ability to continue to develop a research profile
and/or professional activities at the cutting-edge
of practice
Ability to manage the diverse range of academic
and professional subjects, taught at different
levels, in the Faculty.
Ability to manage effectively partnerships with
stakeholders, especially schools and colleges.
High levels of team building and people
management skills.
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Proven ability to manage budgets in an HE
context.


Application Form
Interview
JOB DESCRIPTION
Associate Dean and Head of Department of Teacher Education
Ability to manage student complaints and issues
effectively.
Evidence of effective team working.
Personal
Attributes
Enthusiasm, commitment and integrity.
Commitment to the mission of the University.
Evidence of commitment to student experience.
Good people- and performance- management
skills
A collaborative approach to managing
relationships within and beyond the department
Ability to lead a team
Ability to work as part of a senior management
team in the University
Awareness of management styles and
understanding of their personal management
style and its potential impact on staff
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

Application Form
Interview
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Equality Statement
The University of Bedfordshire is fully committed to the principles of equality in all its actions.
Members of the University’s community are expected to respect and value individuality, differences
and diversity; and work with others in an inclusive and consultative manner. A commitment to
equality of opportunity for all individuals irrespective of their age, belief, disability, gender, race,
religion or sexual orientation is at the core of what we do and members of the community must
actively promote a positive non-discriminatory work and learning environment for fellow staff and
students. Employees should demonstrate an understanding of the University’s commitments to
equality and diversity as an integral part of the university’s core values and be able to identify and
challenge discrimination, harassment, prejudice and inappropriate behaviour.
Health & Safety Statement
All employees are required to ensure that all duties and responsibilities are discharged in accordance
with the University’s Health and Safety (H & S) at Work Policy. They should take reasonable care for
their own H & S and that of others who may be affected by what they do or do not do. Staff should
correctly use work items provided by the University, including personal protective equipment in
accordance with training or instructions.
Environmental Statement
Employees must make proper use of any equipment and systems of work provided and take all
reasonable steps to ensure that control measures are properly used. Employees must work with their
Line Managers to ensure that an inventory is retained of all hazardous substances in the office that
could be released into the environment. Employees are expected to identify operations that use
significant amounts of energy, with a view to reducing consumption. This includes identifying
operations that use resources, such as paper, and review the need for the current level of
consumption, identifying savings where possible. Employees are expected to identify waste streams
with a view to recycling and reuse, minimising office energy use in heating and lighting.
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Briefing
Note: the content of this Job Description does not preclude other work required by the faculty
department. Details of accountabilities will be discussed at annual reviews.
Date Job Description issued to, discussed with and understood by Post Holder ----------------------------Name of Post Holder: -------------------------------------------------------- Signature: -------------------------------(I confirm I have been briefed on the requirements of this Job Description and other related
documents)
Name of immediate Line manager: -------------------------------------- Signature: -------------------------------(I confirm I have briefed the Post Holder on the requirements of this Job Description and other related
documents)
Nominated Deputies (if applicable)
As a KEY POST at least one nominated deputy must be identified. The Job Holder must confirm that
the Nominated Deputy(ies) receives a copy of, and is briefed on this Job Description.
Name of Nominated Deputy: --------------------------------- Signature: ------------------------ Date: ----------(As the Nominated Deputy for this post, I confirm I have been briefed on the requirements of this Job)
If there are more nominated deputies, they should sign further copies of this Job Description.
Amended
by:
Dated
:
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Versio
n: