Job Description
Job Title:
Associate Dean (Graduate Studies)
Period:
Up to three years in the first instance
Reporting to:
Dean
Reporting to
Job Holder:
None
Overall Purpose:
To be responsible to the Dean for leadership and management of the Graduate School, for
postgraduate taught and research student recruitment and admissions and for the strategic and
academic leadership of learning, teaching and the student experience in the Faculty’s postgraduate
provision. To promote and represent the Faculty at University level as required.
Principal Duties:
University Management
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To make an active contribution to the University's corporate goals and strategic aims in
postgraduate provision.
To play a full part in institutional activities.
To represent and promote the interests of the University.
Leadership
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To lead and manage the Faculty Graduate School.
To implement strategies and polices to enable the Faculty Graduate School to promote critical
intellectual enquiry and independent academically-rigorous engagement in a supportive
environment.
To ensure that mechanisms are in place within the Faculty to implement University-wide
strategies and policies for graduate studies.
To work with postgraduate students and their representatives to build and develop student
engagement and the student experience
To strengthen the research base by increasing the number of postgraduate research students.
To enhance the entry standards of taught postgraduate students.
To investigate and bring forward proposals for different models which, where appropriate,
provide pathway opportunities for students from taught postgraduate programmes to
postgraduate research programmes.
To review all new postgraduate programme proposals and collaborative activities for the Faculty
prior to their submission for formal approval, including their academic content and coherence,
academic standards and quality, relationships with existing provision, and conformity with the
University’s academic framework.
To review degree scheme review reports for the Faculty prior to their submission for formal
approval.
To review all proposed major amendments to units, programmes and schemes of assessment
for postgraduate programmes of the Faculty prior to their submission for formal approval.
To monitor and act upon annual monitoring reports for taught postgraduate programmes,
External Examiners’ reports, accreditation reports, student feedback and formal written student
complaints. To disseminate and implement good practice identified in these reports or from
other sources across the Faculty.
To liaise with the Associate Dean (Learning and Teaching) in relation to taught postgraduate
programme delivery.
To work with the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Support and Development Office
to investigate opportunities and progress proposals for CPD activity at the post graduate level.
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To strengthen ties between the International Office, Graduate Office and Academic Departments
to enhance recruitment and admissions processes for postgraduate students.
To work with the International Office and Faculty staff to identify and ‘target’ key international
markets and develop focused marketing and recruitment strategies.
To systematically analyse recruitment, admission and retention information for postgraduate
students in the context of national trends and any Faculty-specific educational objectives.
To ensure consideration of any issues, in relation to postgraduate provision, referred to the
Faculty by relevant committees.
To formulate Faculty responses to internal and external consultation papers relating to graduate
studies.
To work with Departments within the Faculty, and across the University, to develop integrated
graduate training programmes which include taught coursework, generic skills training and
original research.
To work with Departments within the Faculty, and across the University, to identify and obtain
funding to underwrite enhanced graduate training provision.
To take action to achieve the objectives of the Innovation and Enterprise Strategy as appropriate
to the role.
Planning
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To lead, in liaison with the Heads of Department, the development of the portfolio of activities
across the Faculty.
To contribute to the Annual Planning Cycle and the production of the Faculty Plan.
Governance
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To ensure that graduate studies activities of the Faculty are undertaken in accordance with the
governance, policy and regulatory frameworks of the University.
To chair the Faculty Research Students Committee and serve on or chair other Committees,
Working Parties and Groups of the Faculty as required.
To represent the Faculty on Committees, Working Parties and Groups of the University as
required.
General
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To contribute to the management and operations of the Faculty and University by undertaking
specific responsibilities as agreed with the Dean.
To work collaboratively with other Associate Deans and Heads of Department to establish and
maintain national and international recognition of the University as a centre of excellence for
graduate education.
To undertake any other activities assigned from time to time by the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy
Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellors or the Dean.
Hours:
The nature of the role is such that the postholder will be provided with a remission
of 0.3 from their other academic duties to undertake this role.
Flexibility:
Please note that given the need for flexibility in order to meet the changing
requirements, the duties of this role may be changed after consultation with the
Vice-Chancellor, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor or the Dean.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title:
Associate Dean (Graduate Studies)
Selection Criteria
Essential:
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Academic and/or professional qualifications and relevant experience, which reflect the
nature of the appointment.
Experience of winning bids for and successfully managing externally funded activities.
Good interpersonal skills and experience of communicating effectively with a wide variety of
stakeholders.
Effective management and leadership skills appropriate to an HE environment.
Understanding of the issues involved in successfully integrating high-quality teaching,
research, and business development activities within an academic setting.
Experience of working effectively with external agencies, as appropriate to the role.
The ability to chair formal and informal meetings;
September 2010