Job Description:

Qualification and AssessmentManager

Open College Network West Midlands

Post Title:Qualification and Assessment Manager

Hours per week:36.5 Hours

Responsible to:Director of Access and Compliance

Location:Open College Network West Midlands Office, Wolverhampton

Salary:£33,990- £42,147

Job Purpose:To leadthe qualification and assessment development work of Open College Network West Midlands and effectively manage the Open College Network West Midlandsqualification and assessment portfolio.

To work with the Director of Access and Compliance and other Senior Managers to identify and evaluatenew qualification and assessment opportunities; to manage negotiations with external partners concerning the design anddevelopmentof qualifications for submission to the regulators and the delivery of units and qualifications to the market.

To oversee the development and monitoring of assessment and other resources related to qualifications and units ensuring effective and efficient use of human and financial resources allocated to the product development team.

To identify and develop new opportunities to ensure the continued improvement of Open College Network West Midlands’ product portfolio.

To manage the Product Development team in order to ensure an efficient and cost effective quality assured service.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.Team

  • Manage the Product Development Team and carry out regular supervisions and appraisals to ensure that targets are set and achieved.
  • Ensure the effective and efficient use of the human, physical and financial resources available to the Product Development Team.
  • Contribute to the Company Action Planning process, and ensure that any elements of the plan assigned to the Product Development Team are addressed.

2.Product Development

  • To lead the development, implementation and evaluation of a Qualification Development Plan to ensure appropriate products, which will increase the market share, are valid and developed in a timely fashion.
  • To lead on the development of proposals for qualification development and submission for approval.
  • Effectively manage the development and review of units of assessment, qualifications, learning support materials, assessments, e-learning and assessment packages and other products, as determined by relevant company strategies and plans, including the Strategic Plan, the Company Action Plan, the Qualification Development Strategy,the Validity Strategy and the annual Qualification Development Plan.
  • Monitor product development activity and analyse data forevaluation purposes.
  • Engage with relevant external bodies to ensure the validity of the portfolio (e.g. liaising with other AO’s in relation to TQT).
  • To lead on the generation of new products relating to qualifications and assessment.
  • To adopt a customer-focussed approach to Open College Network West Midlands provision through a thorough understanding of the market and funding regimes.

3.Business opportunities

  • Work with the Director of Access and Compliance to identify new business opportunities by engaging with customers, employers and other partners and stakeholders.
  • Be responsible for the generation of new products.

4. Marketing and promotion

  • In liaison with the Director of Business Development, contribute to the promotion of products and services.
  • In liaison with the Director of Business Development, ensure the production of material for the Open College Network West Midlands website, e-newsletters, email shots and other publications and publicity.
  • Contribute to the marketing and promotional activities of Open College Network West Midlands.

5. Quality Standards

  • Provide support to the Access & Quality Team on the implementation of services to support the continuous improvement of systems and procedures.
  • Liaise with the Director of Access and Compliance and members of the Access and Quality Team to investigate and respond to complaints regarding product development processes, recommending appropriate courses of action and ensuring that confidentiality is guaranteed and maintained;
  • To work as part of the Open College Network West Midlands staff team and contribute to Open College Network West Midlands activities including audit, validity and review.

6.General

  • To have regard for relevant Data Protection legislation and at all times, bear in mind his/her responsibilities under such legislation. Attention is specifically drawn to the need for confidentiality in handling personal data and the implications of unauthorised disclosure.
  • Have regard to the provisions of the Computer Misuse Act and any successor Acts and, in particular, take such steps as may be necessary to prevent unauthorised access to computer material (Section 1) and the unauthorised modification of computer material (Section 3).
  • Have due regard to matters of Health and Safety in the workplace and abide by the spirit and intention of the Open College Network West Midlands Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy at all times.
  • To liaise with, and contribute to the activities of other Teams, as appropriate.
  • Undertake any other duties as commensurate with the post.

Open College Network West Midlands reserves the right to review and amend the content and reporting lines of this contract.

Qualification and Assessment Manager1

Person Specification:

Qualification and Assessment Manager

Job title:Qualification and Assessment Manager

Responsible to:Director of Access & Compliance

QUALITIES / ESSENTIAL CRITERIA / DESIRABLE CRITERIA
Qualifications and Training /
  • Professional qualification at level 6 or above and/or relevant experience

Experience and Skills /
  • At least 2 years management experience
  • Experience of managing projects
  • An understanding of cross sector post 16 education and lifelong learning
  • Knowledge of awarding body and regulatory structures
  • Extensive knowledge of credit based qualifications.
  • Extensive knowledge of qualification and assessment development and review
  • Knowledge of current funding legislation
  • Experience of meeting challenging business targets
  • Understanding of current regulatory strategy
  • Experience of developing and implementing strategies / plans
  • Experience of networking with key stakeholders
  • Experience of managing a team
  • Appropriate ICT skills
/
  • Knowledge of current education legislation
  • Knowledge of the current market place for Open College Network West Midlands provision
  • Experience of developing qualifications and support materials
  • Experience of developing on-line learning materials
  • Experience of engaging with employers to develop/deliver qualifications
  • Experience of internal and external assessment practices and methodologies

Personality Traits – Attitude and Temperament /
  • Ability to work as part of a team
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills
  • Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
  • Ability to analyse and problem solve
  • Ability to build and maintain relationships with a range of organisations and individuals
  • High level of motivation and enthusiasm
  • Commitment to diversity and equality

Additional or Special Requirements /
  • Willingness to travel as required
  • Willingness to work unsociable hours
/
  • Currentdriving licence

Qualification and Assessment Manager1