Section One – Job Details
Job Title: Head of Department
Department: Academic
Reports to: Vice Principal
Grade: E4 Hours: 0.3/0.4 fte (see below)
Section Two – Job Purpose
The role holder will havesubstantial experience of working in osteopathic education and an observableexperience ofand commitment to excellence in teaching and learning. He/She will strive to embed the ESO’s strategic vision for education and have the leadership skills to influence and inspire faculty to fulfil that vision.
Within the ESO academic department, there will befour Heads of Department each representing one of the following themeswithin the ESO programme:
i. Professional Knowledge & Clinical Reasoning (0.3 fte)
ii. Osteopathic Principles & Skills (0.3 fte)
iii. Osteopathic Integration & Consolidation (0.4 fte)
iv. Osteopathic Professional Identity &Personal Development (0.3 fte)
The Head of Department has responsibility for the academic health and development of their department and will contribute to the quality cycle.
The Head of Department will work with the Vice Principal (VP) in:
•Developing, implementing and monitoring teaching, learning and assessment strategies (including Technology Enhanced Learning TEL)
•managing the academic standards, procedures and resourcing the elements of the programmein the department, as described in the new curriculum.
•ensuring that the elements of the programme and other departmental modules are delivered to the highest of standards in line with the validated documentation and regulatory requirements.
•providing support in the development, review and implementation of policies and procedures.
•managing the department quality cyclewhich includes:
  • conducting all quality monitoring, evaluation and reviewactivity
  • devising and implementing action plans arising out of annual review cycles and any other related activity
  • responding to student feedbackrelating to the department
  • responding to external examiner input relating to the department
  • participating in the programme annual monitoring and review cycles
  • overseeing the student feedback process for all modules within the department
The role holder will be responsible for fostering excellence in teaching and learning.
The Head of Department will ensure that courses they are responsible are delivered efficiently and effectively and that students maximise their educational experience.
The successful role holder will be someone who has an ability to:
  • promote osteopathy and the ESO positively at all times.
  • motivate students and lecturers to achieve their full potential in the academic setting.
  • identify areas of weakness and work with the students/lecturers to overcome them.
  • recognise excellence/good practise and share this among the academic community.

Section Three – Main Responsibilities
The role holder will
  • Promote and develop academic excellence in teaching and learning and assessment in the department.
  • Provide copies of all assignment briefs, examination papers and marking schemes for each module being taught, for review by the CASC and External Examiner for his/her comments within the prescribed timeframe.
  • Line manage faculty within the department’s courses(including appraisals)
  • Manage the student feedback cycle for the department’s courses.
  • Participate in the induction and training of new teaching faculty
  • Participate in the Faculty Professional Development Review process, including undertaking teaching and learning observations, identifying faculty training needs and supporting faculty development
  • Take an active role in assessments – examining, moderating, observing and marking.
  • Act as a point of contact for students with educational issues relating to the course.
  • Act as a channel of communication between students and the programme manager.
  • Report issues of concern to the Vice Principal/Academic Registrar e.g. student progression, fitness to practise, fitness to study, discipline etc.
  • Participate in relevant meetings. Heads of Department will meet as a team twice a term or as necessary. Heads of Department will meet regularly with student representatives.
  • Assist in the management of student complaints where appropriate.
  • Support faculty and staffwith continuing professional development in line with the ESO’s strategic plans.
  • develop the use of technology (e.g. Moodle, Pebblepad, and video assessment strategies, for staff development and enhancement of student learning and assessment within the clinic.
  • Provide information to the timetabling coordinator to assist with the timetabling of the department’s courses.

Section Four – Dimensions
The ESO is responsible for the education of approximately 200 students at any one timeand it is the role holder’s responsibility to maximise the student experience within their department.
The role holder will be a member of the Academic Team and he/she will line manage approximately 10 members of faculty.
The ESO is a partner college of the University of Greenwich and is accredited by the General Osteopathic Council (the regulatory body for the practice of Osteopathy in the UK).
The Head of Department will be a member of the following committees:
Academic Board;
Programme Committee;
Progression and Awards Board;
Student Attendance and Support Committee (SASC);
Student Experience Group (SEG);
Section Five – HERA Competencies
  • Teaching and Learning
  • Team Development
  • Service Delivery
  • Communication
  • Pastoral Care and Welfare

Signature of role holder Date:
Name of role holder
Signature of line manager Date:
Name of line manager:
Date for review (2 years’ time – or sooner if the need arises)

Head of Department - Person Specification
Essential / Desirable / How assessed
Qualifications and Experience
Educated to degree level (or equivalent) / Application form and interview
Osteopath (Registered with GOsC)
Post-graduate qualification in Higher Education (or working towards)
Management qualification
Academic Leadership qualification/proven experience
Good working knowledge of E-Learning platforms (e.g. Moodle and Pebble Pad)
Professional skills
Leadership - Evidence of:
  • ability to lead a team to excellence.
  • ability to initiate, develop and implement agreed strategies to time and budget
  • Ability to inspire, motivate and empower staff
/ Application form, interview and references
General Management - Evidence of:
  • Ability to manage a team
  • Ability to embrace and successfully manage change
  • Strong people management skills
  • Time management skills

Teaching and Learning - Evidence of:
  • Current knowledge of developments in Higher Education
  • Understanding of effective teaching, learning and assessment strategies
  • A good working knowledge of HE and ESO policies and procedures
  • An understanding of Quality Assurance processes.
  • Relevant teaching experience
  • A sound understanding of the requirements of osteopathic education.

Personal and Professional skills and attributes:
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. An ability to communicate effectively at all levels (both verbally and in writing) / Application form, interview and references
Ability to prepare written reports and presentations for all levels
A clear vision, recognise and use opportunities, be flexible and open to new ideas
Ability to make effective decisions
Ability to use innovation and creativity to resolve problems
Good IT skills