Academic Policy Manager

Job Purpose

As Academic Policy Manager you will provide professional support for the management of the University’s Academic Quality Framework, including:

•         the development and implementation of the University-wide Student Facing Service (SFS) Review Framework;

•         directly supporting the Senior Academic Quality Manager to ensure appropriate strategic alignment of SFS Review activity to support the enhancement of the student experience across the University, and;

•         supporting the administration and management of the Academic Standards & Quality workstream within Academic Policy & Governance.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Senior Academic Quality Manager, Academic Policy & Governance:

Relying on detailed knowledge and understanding of quality assurance and quality enhancement in Higher Education, provide central institutional operational management of the Student Facing Service Review Framework, collaborating with services in various University Directorates delivering a comprehensive review framework for Student Facing Professional Services.

1.  Lead the operational management of the Review framework including:

•         Development and dissemination of comprehensive guidance to support the operation of Framework, engaging colleagues in participating areas.

•         Development and coordination of the Review schedule, mapping review activity across student facing services and guiding teams through the review process to optimise staff engagement with the Framework.

•         Working with colleagues in Planning Insights & Analytics, to identify and manage relevant data for the Framework to support an evidence-based approach, and ensure effective arrangements for collecting and collating student feedback on service support.

•         Co-ordinate review activity and support the production of output reports.

•         Engage in reflective review of the operation of the Framework with an enhancement focus monitoring effectiveness of the review process.

•         Produce documentation on the Framework activity to fulfil the University’s reporting requirements on quality management, for both internal and external stakeholders including the QAA and SFC.

•         Provide direct advice and support to students participating in SFSRs.

•         Provide advice and support on the processes to the Vice-Principal (Learning and Teaching) and other senior staff.

2.    Directly support the Senior Academic Quality Manager in the management of the Student Experience Committee including the provision of reports and advisory papers and draft policy relating to the Committee’s remit. Support the efficient and effective dissemination of information on the Committee’s activities to the University community including reports to Court, Senate, and senior staff. Where appropriate, support implementation of SEC decisions. Ensure SEC’s activity is coordinated with the academic governance business cycle. Take a best-practice approach to committee activity to ensure it contributes optimally to the University’s educational offer.

3.    Support the management of student academic appeals to Senate to ensure adherence to procedures, adequate briefing of Senate Assessors for Appeals and members of Senate Appeals Panels, and relevant colleagues on College level academic appeals to ensure effective operation of procedures equitable treatment of students. Appeals casework – preparing complex documentation, attending preliminary disposal and full hearing meetings, preparing outcome reports and letters to ensure clear and timely communication to students and their representatives, and to Schools and Colleges.

4.    Support other activity relating to the delivery of the Academic Quality Framework, in particular manage at least one Periodic Subject Review event per academic session.

5.    Actively participate in the meetings and business of Academic Policy & Governance and contribute to associated planning and resource management processes.

6.    Attend meetings of national bodies and at conferences to keep up to date with national developments in quality management and quality enhancement and to gain and share information, knowledge and working practices in the higher education context thereby contributing to personal and team development.

7.    Undertake other duties as are assigned by the Academic Policy & Governance management team.

Knowledge/Qualifications/Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential

A1  Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and management skills in a similar or number of different specialist roles or Scottish Credit and Qualification framework level 9, 10 or 11 (ordinary/Honours Degree, Post Graduate Qualification), or equivalent.

A2  Good knowledge of the quality assurance and enhancement framework applicable to the Higher Education sector in Scotland and the UK.

A3  Knowledge of the organisation and administration of higher education in Scotland and the UK.

A4  Knowledge of Data Protection Act and Freedom of Information Act.

Desirable

B1  Excellent understanding of the University’s internal quality assurance and enhancement procedures.

B2  Good Knowledge of the University’s Strategic Plan, Inspiring People: Changing the World, the Student Experience Strategy, and the Learning & Teaching Strategy.

B3  Understanding of the Data Protection Act and Freedom of Information Act.

Skills

Essential

C1    Good interpersonal and negotiation skills.

C2    Ability to interact successfully with all staff, including senior staff both internal and external to the University, and with students.

C3    Ability to show initiative and work pro-actively showing a high degree of responsibility.

C4    Excellent organisational skills and the ability to work to tight deadlines.

C5    Highly effective written and oral communication skills with the ability to draft accurate, concise and comprehensive reports and communications, and articulate complex information in an accessible way and present to varied staff and student groups.

C6    High level of attention to detail.

C7    Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.

C8    High degree of IT literacy.

C9    Good numeracy.

C10  Ability to facilitate change effectively.

C11  Good analytical and problem solving skills.

Desirable

D1  Good committee management skills.

Experience

Essential

E1  Previous direct experience in academic administration and knowledge of higher education.

E2  Experience of formulating and drafting documents of strategic importance.

E3  Experience of evaluating the effectiveness of processes and projects.

Desirable

F1  Experience of project management from development through to implementation and operational management in areas of strategic importance with significant impact.

F2  Direct experience of quality management within the Higher Education context.

F3  Experience of clerking formal committees and drafting minutes and reports.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £39,347 – £44,263 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and open ended (permanent). Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension – pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.