Job descriptions and person specifications:

Examples

In this information sheet you will find the examples of the competency-based job description and person specification from this section of the main course. You can modify and adapt them to your own purposes.

Job description for an Associate Dean of College (Academic)

Job title / Associate Dean of College (Academic)
Job purpose / To contribute to the progression and execution of a strategy for the work of the College, provide academic leadership and take the lead in program development and management including ensuring quality standards are reviewed and enhanced. To take line management responsibility for department chairs and to work through department chairs to ensure the effective deployment of college resources. To contribute to the general academic progress of the institution. To represent the Collegeand the institution to the wider community.
Reports to: / Dean of College
Campus base: / City campus
Key responsibilities: / Lead curriculum development and innovation in instruction, in line with the university’s instructional strategy.
Manage the course development and review process.
Monitor and evaluate the quality of the student experience and take action to ensure the retention and progression of the College’s students.
In response to proposals from department chairs, be responsible for the general operational management, organization and discipline of teaching staff within the College.
Resolve disputes over workloads between department chairs and teaching faculty.
Working with department chairs, co-ordinate staff development and scholarly activity.
Contribute to the development and implementation of a strategic plan for the work of the College.
Participate in the College’s Executive Committee and take particular responsibility for the quality of the student learning experience and the professional development of the College’s academic staff.
Assume operational responsibility for the promotion and marketing of student recruitment activity of the College in liaison with the Marketing and Admissions Department and Executive Office.
Act as a role model for continuous professional development and as a champion of equal opportunity and diversity.
Maintain knowledge of educational developments relevant to the work of the College.
Participate actively in regional, national and international forums relevant to the work of the College.
Develop further the University’s national and international profile.
Terms and conditions / Job title: / Associate Dean of College
Length of office: / Annual appointments
Appointment: / Full-time
Date of appointment: / Start of academic year

Person specification for an Associate Dean of College(Academic)

Criteria / Priority
(1, 2, 3) / Method of Assessment
1. Qualifications
Degree in an appropriate discipline / 1 / Application form
Higher degree/relevant professional qualification / 2 / Application form
Academic standing equivalent to that required for the
conferment of the rank of Professor / 3 / Application form
2. Skills/Knowledge
Detailed knowledge of quality assurance procedures in HE
and capacity to maintain and develop procedures to
enhance the quality of the student experience / 1 / Interview; peer review meeting
Knowledge of developments in instruction in the relevant subject area / 1 / Interview; peer review meeting
Knowledge of developments in HE / 1 / Interview; peer review meeting
Ability to communicate effectively in a wide range of
contexts and to represent the University at a senior level / 1 / Presentation
An understanding of good practice in academic research
and of the frameworks relevant to research / 2 / Interview; peer review meeting
Ability to provide strategic and operational direction to
subject leaders and to lead curriculum development and
innovation in instruction / 1 / Interview; peer review meeting
Capacity to set and operate budgets and monitor the
achievement of budgetary targets / 1 / Interview; presentation
Capacity to drive and focus strategic vision / 1 / Interview; presentation
Proficiency in the application of IT systems capable of
exploiting the potential of IT with respect to instruction / 2 / Interview; application form
3. Experience
Significant involvement within the sector in current issues
and future development / 1 / Application form
A record of demonstrable success in the leadership and management of teams of academic managers / 1 / Application form; interview
A record of achievement in the leadership of instructional innovation in HE / 1 / Application form; interview
4. Personal qualities
Inventive / 1 / Letter of application
Confident and resilient / 1 / Presentation, Interview
Committed to the support and development of staff / 1 / Interview; peer review meeting
Efficient and well-organized / 1 / Letter of application; presentation
Ambitious, demanding of high standards and objective-oriented / 1 / Interview; presentation
  1. Essential criteria
  2. Desirable criteria
  3. May be used to select one candidate over another if priorities 1 and 2 do not decide the matter

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