Job Description
Job title:
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching)
Responsible to:
Vice-Chancellor
Department:
Office of the Vice-Chancellor
Job purpose
The role of Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) at the University of Bath is exceptionally
challenging and rewarding, with a broad range of responsibilities. These fall into the three broad
areas set out below:
Firstly, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) will champion, develop and oversee
implementation of strategy for learning, teaching and the student experience.
Secondly, in order to achieve excellence in learning, teaching and the student experience, the
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) has management responsibility for the professional
services that directly influence our academic provision and will work closely with the academic
departments of the University.
Finally, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) has a number of additional responsibilities
that naturally belong with a position at this senior level. The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning and
Teaching) is part of the senior management team of the University which leads on the development
of strategic direction and policy for the institution and its constituent parts. The Pro-Vice-Chancellor
has further responsibilities which include membership and/or leadership of a number of University
committees, representation of the University externally, and leading strategic reviews and projects of
institutional importance.
Main duties and responsibilities
Strategic Leadership of Learning, Teaching and the Student Experience

Contributing to the strategic management of the University with a particular brief to consider the
effects of any policies on learning and teaching and the student experience.

Accountable for the development, dissemination and implementation of the University’s learning
and teaching strategy and operational plan, and strengthening our reputation for excellence.

Accountable for the strategic oversight of the student experience.

The external brief of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor includes membership of the Bath Student
Community Partnership, a town-gown liaison group convened by Bath and North East Somerset
Council.
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
Nationally the post holder is expected to keep abreast of and shape relevant developments in the
Higher Education sector as they apply to the student experience and learning and teaching
issues.
Managerial Responsibilities for Professional Services and the Students’ Union
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) has responsibility for the leadership and
management of the main professional services that have a direct influence on the student learning
experience. There are five senior managers currently reporting directly to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor
(Learning and Teaching): the Director of Academic Registry, the Director of Learning & Teaching
Enhancement, the Head of Student Services, the Head of Careers Advisory Service and the Chief
Executive of the Students’ Union.
Responsibilities as part of the Senior Management Team
The Senior Management Team, led by the Vice-Chancellor, is responsible for matters relating to
the strategy, leadership and management of the University and consideration of policy issues and
new initiatives.
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) will attend meetings of the University’s Governing
Body and is a member of Senate, Court, Convocation, the Vice-Chancellor’s Group and Executive.
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) participates in the strategic planning process of
the University.
The role of Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) also has a significant committee portfolio
which changes over time. The following are currently chaired by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning
and Teaching)

The University Learning, Teaching and Quality Committee

Academic Programmes Committee

Directors of Studies (Taught Programmes) Forum

Teaching Fellows Sub Group of Academic Staff Committee

Alumni Fund Panel

SAMIS (Student records and information system) Board
Other Duties
Finally, the post holder may be required to undertake such other duties commensurate with the
nature and level of the post as directed by the Vice-Chancellor. This may include the chairing of
Appointment Panels, Appeals and Grievances Hearings as well as a wide variety of ad hoc ‘task and
finish’ groups and strategic reviews.
Term of Office
Pro-Vice-Chancellors are appointed by Council on the recommendation of the Senior Academic
Appointments Committee which is made via Senate. The term of office as Pro-Vice-Chancellor
is for an initial period of up to five years, at which time the incumbent will be reviewed.
Further period of appointments of up to five years may be made by Council on the recommendation
of the Senior Academic Appointments Committee which is made via Senate.
The post holder will also hold the role of Professor of the University which is open-ended.
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Remuneration
Remuneration for Pro-Vice-Chancellors reflects their seniority within the University and their
academic standing. The successful candidate will be remunerated within the Professorial salary
range. An additional non-pensionable allowance will be paid during the time that the individual is a
Pro-Vice-Chancellor. The post comes under the jurisdiction of the Remuneration Committee which
is chaired by the Chair of Council with regard to salary reviews.
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Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching)
Person Specification
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
Assessed by
A/F
I/T
R
Qualifications
√
√
Breadth and depth of Higher Education
experience necessary to deputise for the
Vice-Chancellor or other academic members
of the senior management team on a wide
variety of issues.
√
√
√
√
Experience at a senior academic level in a
University. This could be at the level of Head
of Department, Dean or other similar post.
√
√
√
√
Ability to contribute to institutional policy
development across all the major issues
facing a top ranked research intensive
University.
√
√
√
√
Knowledge of and passion for learning and
teaching issues in higher education.
√
√
√
Experience of delivering change
management projects in an academic
community
√
√
√
√
Professorial or equivalent standing, with a
research reputation and profile
commensurate with a senior academic
leadership role.
Experience/Knowledge
Skills/Ability
Inspirational leadership and management
skills, including a commitment to high
performance and continuous improvement.
√
√
√
Proven influencing skills and the ability to
represent the University’s interests in policy
debates at local, regional and national level.
√
√
√
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Criteria
Essential
Desirable
A/F
√
√
Skills/Ability (Continued)
Assessed by
I/T
√
Excellent written and oral communication
skills, including crafting complex messages
for diverse stakeholders.
Able to work with a very wide range of people
inside the University including: students,
particularly the student sabbatical officers;
senior professional services staff, academics
and the senior management team.
√
√
Ability to represent the University to the
outside world, including the media, the Local
Authority, the Funding Council etc. on
matters relevant to the brief.
√
√
√
Ability to understand the major concerns of all
the academic disciplines represented in the
University.
Ability to chair major University Committees
in an effective and efficient manner
√
Code: A/F – Application form, I/T – Interview/Test, R – References
March 2015
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R
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