Appointment of Academic Director
Further Particulars
Background
Founded in 1624 to serve the common good through the provision of education and the
promotion of scholarship and research, informality and distinction have always rubbed
shoulders at Pembroke. This was Samuel Johnson’s college, as well as JRR Tolkien’s and
Senator J William Fulbright’s. A string of remarkable scientists studied and taught here in the
18th and 19th centuries, among them chemist Thomas Beddoes and astronomer Nathaniel
Bliss, sharing life in the College with outstanding theologians and lawyers, including John
Moore who became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1783 and the celebrated jurist Sir William
Blackstone. James Smithson, whose testamentary wishes led to the founding of the
institution which bears his name in Washington, also studied here.
Today, the student body is made up of 365 undergraduates, around 30 visiting students on
their “Junior Year Abroad” from US universities, and 255 post-graduates. The College is
committed to the tutorial system of undergraduate teaching with subject tutors covering a
wide range of disciplines. Pembroke Fellows are supported in their teaching by a team of
College lecturers and the College is also home to 15 Research Fellows and 11 Associates.
The whole student body participates in College activities, with an especially active MCR
(graduate student) community. A support staff of 90 provides administration, library,
maintenance, IT, accommodation, catering and conference and events services.
The College is an independent legal entity with all major decisions taken by its Governing
Body. This group is chaired by the Master and comprises 29 Tutorial Fellows, five
Professorial Fellows (in Anaesthetics, Anglo-Saxon, Law, Medicine and Scientific
Visualisation), six Fellows by Special Election (one of whom is an Honorary NHS Consultant
Surgeon), three Advisory Fellows (from the world of business), the Academic Director, the
Bursar, the Home Bursar and the Strategic Development Director. Recommendations to
Governing Body are made by the main College committees: Academic, Finance & Planning,
and Domestic & Buildings, all of which involve student representatives in their discussions.
Pembroke Fellows are involved in a wide range of research in their various University
departments, as well as across disciplines in College. Areas of expertise within the current
Tutorial Fellowship range from the use of language to the chemical biology of carbohydrates
and proteins, and from the impact of civil rights movements to the psychology of colour
perception. In addition to providing a space for inter-disciplinary projects to emerge and
take shape (such as exploring what animal behaviour and mobile robotics experts can learn
from each other), Pembroke is also home to two research clusters: the Oxford Changing
Character of War programme and the Oxford Martin Programme on Human Rights for
Future Generations.
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In line with our belief that all those with the necessary academic talent should have the
opportunity to experience an Oxford education, regardless of their background, the College
has pioneered a new approach to access and outreach work. Academically intensive
programmes are run in partnership with schools and sixth form colleges in parts of London
(Pem-Brooke) and Greater Manchester (Pembroke North), led by Oxford’s first full-time
Access Fellow, and have been hailed as a gold standard for such initiatives by the sector’s
independent regulator, the Office for Fair Access.
Outside of term times Pembroke plays host to a variety of conferences and events which
yield a vital source of income to support our core activities. While some of these activities
are with corporate business, a large proportion are academic-related. In the summer
months some of the participants in Oxford University’s residential UNIQ outreach course
are based at the College, as well as the annual summer schools organised and delivered by
Pembroke staff and students for sixth formers taking part in the College’s own access
scheme.
In 2013 Pembroke took up occupancy of a brand new set of quadrangles and buildings which
lie immediately to the south of the historic main site – and are joined to the older buildings
by an award-winning footbridge. The new buildings provide an exceptional range of
facilities, including a suite of teaching rooms, a multi-purpose auditorium, a café for the
whole community and an art gallery (which houses the JCR (undergraduate) owned
collection of modern British artworks). The 100 study bedrooms have made it possible for
Pembroke to offer all undergraduates at least three years of accommodation in College, as
well as having space for a significant number of each year’s new intake of post-graduates.
Our new facilities allow us to have much more ambitious plans for our academic community
as we look to the future. The challenges for the years ahead are significant as the College is
operating in a rapidly changing financial and political climate. A review of Pembroke’s
strategic plan is currently taking place, with emphasis being placed on fundraising for our
nationally recognised access programme, enabling student attainment, graduate scholarships,
and academic posts. The College is fortunate in having many loyal supporters and
benefactors, and anticipates an ambitious consolidation of core academic activities, a robust
infrastructure and new facilities in the years approaching its 400th anniversary in 2024.
More information about the College is available online at www.pmb.ox.ac.uk
The Role of the Academic Director
The Academic Director leads the College’s academic strategy, in a role which encompasses
the traditional remits of Senior Tutor, Tutor for Admissions, Dean of Visiting Students and
Dean of Graduates. He/she is responsible for maintaining and developing within the College
an environment of academic excellence for both undergraduate and postgraduate learning,
and for overseeing the arrangements for delivery of all College teaching and welfare
provision for students. As an academic leader the post-holder must be a strong and
respected representative of the College on relevant intercollegiate and University
committees and groups.
The Academic Director is a member of the College’s Governing Body, to which he/she
contributes considered analysis of academic issues, and works closely with the Master and
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other Senior College Officers (Bursar, Home Bursar, Strategic Development Director and
Vicegerent) on a day-to-day basis. Close working relationships with Fellows and academic
staff are vital, and day-to-day interaction with students is an important part of the role.
The Academic Director with the Master, Senior College Officers, and the Tutorial Fellows
takes part in the social activities that maintain good relations with all parts of the College
community. This includes alumni and others (who are the immediate responsibility of the
Development Office) who advise and support our fundraising activities.
Summary of Key Responsibilities
Recruitment and Admissions
 Responsible for the overall recruitment, admission and induction of undergraduates
and graduates, including overseeing the smooth-running of the admissions process,
advancing the College’s strategy for the recruitment of students both nationally and
internationally and ensuring compliance with the agreed policies of the University.
 Responsible for the direction and management of the College’s Access and Outreach
programme, including working closely with the Access Fellow on access strategy and
planning.
 Oversees the College’s international recruitment activities, including recruitment for
Pembroke’s high quality, integrated visiting student programme.
Teaching arrangements and systems
 Responsible for ensuring that appropriate teaching arrangements are in place for
undergraduates, with accurate recording and mechanisms for feedback on the tuition
received, and College responses to university and other surveys
 Responsible for monitoring academic discipline and fitness to study.
 Responsible for the College’s teaching budget.
 Organises and helps to deliver study skills and examination preparation sessions for
undergraduates.
 Oversees travel awards.
Research Support
 Oversees the development of research clusters in College.
 Oversees the operation and development of Pembroke’s expanding graduate
scholarship programme.
 Responsible for the Dean of Graduates fund.
Student development and welfare
 Responsible for individual student case management and advice, in consultation with
the Welfare team and Tutorial Fellows.
 Responsible for the Academic administration of current students in coordination
with the University.
 Oversees the award of undergraduate scholarships and exhibitions.
Academic Staff
 Working closely with the Master and Subject Fellows, responsible for HR matters
relating to all academic staff.
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Takes the lead with the support of relevant subject Fellows and the Master on the
College side of Fellowship appointments as well as those of stipendiary and nonstipendiary College Lecturers.
Responsible for the induction process for academic staff and for the development of
the Tutors’ Handbook.
Responsible, from the College perspective, for dealing with procedures for
probation, reappointment and regular review.
Development of College-specific policies (e.g. Code of Conduct, Harassment policy)
and procedures where required.
The Academic Office
 Leadership of the Academic Office (currently comprising the Academic Registrar,
Deputy Academic Registrar/Student Support Advisor, Graduate Secretary,
Admissions Officer, Access Officer and Administrative Assistant). Members of the
office team report to the Academic Registrar, who reports directly to the Academic
Director.
Membership of Committees
 University committees:
o Senior Tutors Committee
o Admissions Committee
o Graduate Committee
o other University committees and sub committees relating to academic
matters as required
 College Committees
o Governing Body
o Academic Committee (prepares agenda and papers with the Academic
Registrar)
o Finance and Planning Committee
o Development Committee
o other committees or working groups as determined by the Governing Body
Higher Education policies and procedures
 Ensures that the College is compliant with legislation, regulations and procedures
relevant to Higher Education, including equality and diversity, immigration visas and
the right to work.
 Is aware of changes in the wider academic world and advises the College
appropriately.
Structure and reporting (see diagram)
The Academic Director is accountable to Governing Body and works under the guidance of
the Master.
Collaboration with Tutorial Fellows is vital, and support is provided by the Graduate
Advisory Group (which facilitates the intellectual vibrancy of the graduate population), the
Student Advisory Group (which advises on academic strategy as related to the various
disciplines represented in College), Welfare Advisers (who provide pastoral care for
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students) and the Vice-Gerent (deputy Master). All these roles are filled by Tutorial Fellows
on a rotating basis.
The Access Fellow reports to the Academic Director, as does the Academic Registrar, who
in turn leads a team of administrative staff in the Academic Office. The team handles much
of the day-to-day business of the Academic Director’s responsibilities. There will be an early
opportunity for the successful candidate to review the organisation required to provide
effective academic leadership and support as the Academic Registrar has signalled her
intention to retire in 2016.
Academic Director – structure and reporting
Vicegerent
(Deputy
Academic
Director)
Academic
Director
Graduate Advisory
Group
Student Advisory
Group
Academic
Registrar
Graduate
Secretary
Deputy
Academic
Registrar
Welfare
Advisor(s)
Access
Fellow
Admissions
Officer
Administrative
Assistant (part
time)
Access
Officer (part
time)
Denotes Fellow
of the College
Denotes
support staff
Person Specification
The College anticipates appointing either an established academic who wishes to re-focus
his/her career to provide strategic thinking, administrative support and all-round service to a
small academic community, or an academic administrator who has worked closely with
academic staff, endorses the values of a collegiate university with a strong tradition, and is
suited to a leading role in the service of a small academic community.
The successful applicant will have:
 at least a good Honours degree (II.i or above); a postgraduate degree will be an
advantage
 understanding or experience of the requirements of teaching and research
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the ability to think/contribute strategically to future academic developments in
College
sensitivity to different points of view, and the ability to achieve consensus on issues
following debate
a positive stance and attitude in developing relationships, initiatives and options for
action that might benefit the College
an engaged and flexible approach to the resolution of practical and individual issues
a commitment to building strong, co-operative and supportive relationships with
academics, and a good understanding of the varying commitments in all their roles,
not just at College.
leadership qualities and the ability to motivate a small team of support staff
experience in dealing with committees and an ability to work within democratic and
collegial, rather than managerial, structures
excellent organisational skills, proven administrative ability and meticulous attention
to detail, including when dealing with financial information
sympathy with the aims, objectives and academic values of an institution at the
topmost level of the higher education system and an interest in the current trends
and changes in the Higher Education sector
a commitment to a pastoral role in a college community; experience of handling
student welfare matters will be an advantage
advanced oral and writing skills, and an ability to present information, analysis and
arguments clearly, including the use of IT to a level appropriate to a modern office
environment
Terms and Conditions
The expectation is that this will be a full-time role, however the College would be willing,
exceptionally, to consider an 80% FTE appointment where, for example, an academic has
20% of his/her time already funded or committed for other academic or related activities.
The appointment will be for a probationary period of one academic year, then, subject to
satisfactory performance, with appointment to the retiring age thereafter.
The salary will be within the range of £44, 620 - £59,914 p.a. depending on experience plus
a housing allowance of £7,727 p.a.
The postholder will also be entitled to other allowances determined by the College from
time to time. Currently these are an allowance of £606 p.a. for employment related
expenditure, additional IT equipment or books and £220 p.a. for entertainment of students.
The post is pensionable with the USS Pension Scheme.
The postholder is eligible to participate in the Private Health Care scheme to which the
College currently subscribes.
As more fully set out in the contract, the appointment will, during the first year, be
terminable by three months’ notice given by either party to the other and thereafter by six
months’ given by either party to the other. The Fellowship of the College will be coterminous with employment under the contract.
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The post includes membership of the Senior Common Room (SCR), including full lunching
and dining rights.
Holidays: 30 days a year, plus public holidays, to be taken in agreement with the Master.
Holidays must be taken outside the academic term and other periods when the Academic
Director’s presence is essential (including the admissions period in December, the
announcement of A level results in August and Open Days in the summer)
Recruitment Process
The College is seeking to make an appointment with effect from 1st September 2015.
A letter of application, with CV and details of three referees (one of whom must be
contactable prior to interview) should be sent by email to the Master’s PA,
nicola.barefield@pmb.ox.ac.uk by 5pm Friday 10th April.
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted on or before Friday 24th April.
planned for Thursday 30th April and Friday 1st May.
Interviews are
Equality of opportunity
The policy and practice of Pembroke College require that all staff are offered equal
opportunities within employment and that entry into employment and progression within
employment will be determined only by personal merit and the application of criteria which
are related to the duties of each particular post and the relevant salary structure. In all
cases, ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration. Subject to statutory
provisions, no applicant or member of staff will be treated less favourably than another
because of his or her sex, marital status, racial group, disability, or sexual orientation.
Where suitably qualified individuals are available, selection committees will contain at least
one member of each sex.
Data Protection
All data supplied by applicants will be used only for the purposes of determining their
suitability for the post and will be held in accordance with the principles of the Data
Protection Act 1998 and the College’s Data Protection Policy.
Eligibility to work in the UK
Applicants who would need a work visa if appointed to the post are asked to note that
under the UK’s points-based migration system they will need to demonstrate that they have
sufficient points, and in particular that:
(i)
they have sufficient English language skills (evidenced by having passed a test in
English, or coming from a majority English-speaking country, or having taken a
degree taught in English)
(ii)
they have sufficient funds to maintain themselves and any dependants until they
receive their first salary payment
Further
information
is
available
at:
http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/visasimmigration/working/tier2/general/
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