Dear Potential Candidate;

CURRICULUM LEADER - PROFESSIONAL TRAINING DIVISION GOLDSMITHS’ CENTRE

We are delighted that you are interested in applying for the above post.

The Goldsmiths’ Centre is the leading charity for the professional training of goldsmiths here in the UK.

We are an independent charity established in 2007 by the Goldsmiths’ Company one of the Twelve Great Livery Companies of the City of London.

The Goldsmiths’ Centre is a unique facility that brings together learners, industry and the general public in one architectural award winning space. Established to educate the general public and those working or aspiring to work as goldsmiths[1] the charity operates from a purpose built building created on the site of a Grade 2 Victorian school in Clerkenwell, London. As well as our training spaces and studios we also have managed workspace, events spaces and a café that is open to the general public.

We are at the beginning of our journey but believe that the potential of the Centre and its Professional Training Division is enormous. Each of our training spaces can accommodate a maximum of ten (10) learners at any one time. We fundamentally believe that quantity and quality are often uneasy bedfellows especially when teaching craft subjects. However, we also realise that we have scope to grow the amount of learners using our spaces for part-time, masterclasses and short courses. We also aspire to support the development of the whole of the UK industry through the provision of a market leading Continuing Professional Development programme. Something that we will want our Curriculum Leader to be fundamentally involved in as this develops.

Our aim is nothing less than to provide the best possible experience for our learners now and in the future. Today our programmes are either offered free of charge or at a heavily subsidised rate. As a charity we’d like to be able to continue to do this whenever possible for disadvantaged young people. We also recognise that whilst funding through the Skills Funding Agency presents challenges we also believe that this and access to other government and EU funding through initiatives like our franchise with North Hertfordshire College has to be something that we develop further in the future.

We need your skills and knowledge to help us to achieve this.

So, we are looking to recruit a Curriculum Leader who absolutely understands the systems, processes and challenges of the Vocational Sector. One who is ready to join a dedicated team of professionals working here at the Centre and help us to realise the potential that we undoubtedly have. We don’t need an industry specialist, although this would be a bonus, what we need is someone who has the passion, vision, energy, skills and enthusiasm to create something special, sustainable and aspirational around our Professional Training Division and the wider Goldsmiths’ Centre.

We realise that we are asking for a lot but we also know that we are offering a unique opportunity for someone who is passionate about vocational education to get involved with starting something new and special with enormous opportunity for future personal and professional development. So if you feel that you have the right skillsets, approach and something to contribute then then please send us a letter setting out how you meet our needs as set out in the attached documents included in this pack along with your latest CV.

The deadline for applications is 09.00 on Monday, 11 November 2013. Please note that we are intending to interview successful candidates on Wednesday, 20 November at the Goldsmiths’ Centre.

Good luck.

Yours Sincerely

Peter Taylor

Director, The Goldsmiths’ Centre

GOLDSMITHS’ CENTRE – CURRICULUM LEADER

ROLE SPECIFICATION

PRINCIPAL TASKS
As Curriculum Leader within the Professional Training Division you will be accountable for:

  • Managing the work of the Professional Training Division undertaking all related planning and performance management.
  • Providing pastoral care and oversight for learners on the Professional Training Division programmes.
  • Working closely with Centre Senior Management Team to ensure efficient and effective planning and use of resources.
  • Undertaking Centre-wide duties, as required.
  • Preparing Self- Assessment Reports, statistics and general reports on the work of the Professional Training Division, as may be required from time to time.
  • Supporting the Director to develop and maintain contact with employers, schools, colleges, HE providers, SFA, NSAs, SSCs and other outside organisations involved with the work of the Professional Training Division.
  • Assisting in the supervision, management and administration of Centre activities as required from time to time.
  • Promoting the efficiency and effectiveness of the Professional Training Division and the wider Centre.
  • Maintaining contact with the general public and prospective students.
  • Attending conferences, courses and external meetings as appropriate to the Professional Training Division and Centre.
  • Liaising with other providers over potential collaborative opportunities.

GENERAL DUTIES:

As a member of the Goldsmiths’ Centre Senior Management Team you will:

  • Contribute to the planning of Centre activities and advise the Board of Trustees and Director on the development of Goldsmiths’ Centre policy in areas related to the post holder’s work.
  • Work with the Senior Management Team to agree key performance indicators for your areas of responsibility and put in place mechanisms to ensure these are achieved.
  • Prepare such reports, plans and statistical analysis on marketing and services as may be required from time to time.
  • Work closely with colleagues to ensure a corporate approach to the management of the Goldsmiths’ Centre.
  • Assist with the selection, appointment and support of staff.
  • Assist with the guidance and recruitment of students.
  • Setting of annual performance targets for staff reporting to this post and carry out annual performance reviews.
  • Assist with staff development work particularly as related to the duties of this post.
  • Promote Equality and Diversity in all aspects and monitor the impact of Equality and Diversity EDIMs.
  • Ensure that you and your team operate in accordance with statutory health and safety requirements, Centre policies and current good practice.
  • Maintain a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of learners.
  • Manage the financial allocations to the Professional Training Division in accordance with government, funders and College policies and guidance.
  • Attend Conferences and Meetings as may be required from time to time at the Centre or elsewhere and undertake appropriate staff development.
  • Assist with the promotion, supervision, management and administration of such college activities as may be required from time to time.
  • Prepared to undertake any task that might reasonably be required.

GOLDSMITHS’ CENTRE – CURRICULUM LEADER

PERSON SPECIFICATION

THE CANDIDATE
The candidate will be an experienced manager working within the FE sector or an associated field. Innovative, creative and focused they will relish the challenge of establishing a new programme that builds upon the un-paralleled links that the Goldsmiths’ Centre enjoys with its industry. An effective team worker and leader they will by example lead a group of committed staff as we explore the boundaries of what can be achieved as we seek to deliver against our charitable purpose and grow our revenue streams to support this. We will therefore expect the successful candidate to be able to demonstrate the following expertise:

LEADERSHIP

  • To manage effectively the Centre Professional Training Division supporting the delivery of the Centre Corporate Plan on an on-going basis, ensuring correct standards of service are established and agreed SLAs and KPIs are achieved.
  • To undertake strategic planning and resource deployment for divisional activity alongside the Professional Training Division staff, Senior Management Team and Director.
  • To monitor and manage the quality and effectiveness of teaching and standards of performance within the Professional Training Division rewarding excellence and addressing under performance.
  • To support the Director in developing the work of the Professional Training Division to better meet learner needs, within the context of Centre policies and in response to changing Government policies and priorities; taking into account the needs of industry and the wider community.
  • To undertake the annual self-assessment of the SSAs within the Professional Training Division.
  • Attending external meetings/conferences etc. as required by the Director to assist with the building of strategic links and partnerships with external agencies.
  • To support the Director to develop the learner responsive, adult, employer and Continuing Professional Development offer.
  • To maintain contact with contemporary developments in education and their application to the Professional Training Division.
  • To take responsibility for embedding appropriate Government initiatives into the curriculum/tutorial provision.
  • To work with the Deputy Director to ensure that the Professional Training Division operates in accordance with statutory health and safety requirements, Centre policies and current good practice.
  • To manage the development and performance of specialist facilities and services within the Professional Training Division.
  • To take responsibility for implementing mechanisms to ensure that key performance indicators for the Professional Training Division are met.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Senior Management Team to ensure a corporate approach to the management of the Centre and the delivery against its charitable purpose.

STUDENTS

  • To oversee the progress and conduct of students on courses in the Professional Training Division.
  • To Provide pastoral oversight of learners on the Goldsmiths’ Centre Foundation Programme specifically and other learners generally.
  • To operate the student disciplinary process.
  • To implement curriculum alignment to ensure progression opportunities across all levels as appropriate.
  • To manage the admission of students including selection, interviewing and induction.
  • To manage the tutorial system for students on courses in the Professional Training Division.

COURSES

  • To undertake curriculum review, planning and development processes in line with Government, Skills Funding Agency and Centre policies and priorities.
  • To work with the Director to advise the Board of Trustees on the course portfolio of the Professional Training Division.
  • To manage the timetabling process and arbitrate when necessary on issues surrounding the allocation of appropriate accommodation and resources.
  • To oversee the monitoring of syllabi and schemes of work in the Professional Training Division and be responsible for their quality.
  • To ensure that the Professional Training Division course programme operates within the requirements of curriculum assessment and examination regulations.
  • To undertakecourse planning, as required.

STAFFING

  • To work with the Professional Training Division team and Director to plan the staffing and physical resources implications of course portfolio, projected student enrolments etc. for the Professional Training Division.
  • To allocate individual timetables to teaching staff and monitor and report on staff deployment, as required.
  • To allocate course management, other responsibilities and duties.
  • To assist with the selection, appointment and support of staff within the Professional Training Division.
  • In conjunction with the Deputy Director, to manage team staff in accordance with Centre policies and relevant conditions of service.
  • To set annual performance targets for staff reporting to this post and carry out annual performance reviews/appraisals.
  • To authorise and co-ordinate scholarly activity, study and annual leave in conjunction with the Deputy Director.
  • To manage and organise the meeting structure within the Professional Training Division, ensuring that meetings are effective and address key issues in consultation with the Senior Management Team.
  • To Identify and plan the staff development needs of the Professional Training Division, in conjunction with the Deputy Director.

FINANCIAL

  • To prepare, maintain and review of Professional Training Division budgets with the Deputy Director.
  • To contribute to the preparation, maintenance and review of Goldsmiths’ Centre budget with the Senior Management Team and Director.
  • To liaise with Finance Department of Goldsmiths’ Company, external funders and donors as appropriate.
  • To manage the Professional Training Division budget delegated to this post by the Director in accordance with Centre policy and guidance issued by the Board of Trustees.
  • To advise the Director on possible capital projects.
  • To recommend capital items for purchase, as appropriate.

MARKETING

Supporting the Deputy Director:

  • To further develop and implement the three-year Strategic Marketing Plan for the Professional Training Division.
  • To identify market needs and stimulate the development of new courses and services to meet these needs including the proposed high level CPD programme.
  • To effectively promote, publicise, advertise the Professional Training Division and manage media relations when appropriate.
  • To manage customer relations and liaison.
  • To develop and take part in employer engagement activities on an on-going basis.
  • To support and facilitate the implementation of the Customer Relationship Management System across the Professional Training Division.

NB: Please be aware that the duties and responsibilities outlined above are not exhaustive and therefore may be altered and/or enlarged to fulfil specific management roles. If appointed to this post, you will be required to apply for a Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure through the Goldsmiths’ Centre.

Qualifications & Core Competencies : Curriculum Leader
Criteria / Essential / Desirable
Qualifications /
  • A degree or an alternative level 6 or professional qualification.
  • A recognised teaching qualification.
/
  • MA/MSc in a relevant area.
  • Management qualification.

Professional competencies /
  • Experience in course management and curriculum development.
  • Experience of developing and managing budgets.
  • Excellent people management skills.
  • Experience at managing inter-disciplinary teams of full-time and sessional staff.
  • Knowledge of current curriculum issues and an awareness of current developments in further and vocational education.
/
  • Experience within the sector or a related area of study.
  • Relevant teaching experience.
  • Experience of OFSTED inspection.

Managerial competencies /
  • Vision, leadership and influencing skills.
  • Ability to gather, analyse and use information to aid decision making.
  • High level communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Exemplary presentation skills.
  • Excellent organisational skills.
  • Excellent administration and time management skills.
  • Ability to develop and implement strategy.
  • Knowledge of and commitment to the use of IT applications.
  • Ability and commitment to act in a professional manner.
  • Ability to manage learning situations using flexible, student centred approaches.

Disposition /
  • Committed to delivering excellent customer service.
  • Comfortable with being high profile, with high visibility around the Centre and at key events.
  • Comfortable with making decisions based on need for efficiency, service and quality.
  • Ability to work as an effective team member.
  • Drive and enthusiasm to respond and work flexibly in accordance with the needs of the division and in a changing and challenging environment.
  • Ability to demonstrate initiative and innovation in approach to problem solving.
  • Commitment to work within the framework of the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s Equality and Diversity Policy.
  • Commitment to personal and professional development.
  • Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of learners:
•Maintain professional relationships with all learners
•Achieve a CRB Disclosure satisfactory to the Centre.
Personal Qualities /
  • A good record of timekeeping and attendance.
  • Appropriate professional appearance.

[1] A worker in precious metals that includes jewellery, silversmithing and the allied

trades