About the position
Branch/Department(s) - Academic Department
Line Manager - Academic Dean
Main Purpose of Job
- Leads the development and implementation of institutional learning and teaching strategy.
- Holds accountability for all quality assurance and regulatory requirements related to learning and teaching at The Institution.
- Oversees the development and implementation of academic policy related to learning and teaching.
- Line manages the academic leadership team members responsible for the overall quality of learning and teaching at The Institution, inclusive of the Head of Learning and Teaching, the Head of Work Integrated Learning and the Head of Postgraduate and Professional Programmes.
- Seeks to network extensively within the public and private higher education sector nationally and internationally in order to expand the academic reputation of The Institution, with a particular emphasis on representing The Institution on various platforms related to learning and teaching.
- Supports the Dean: The Institution College in the Management of the Academic Department, the Academic Leadership team, as well as the Academic Board.
- Management of the Academic Department budget related to Learning and Teaching.
- The Deputy Dean: L&T is a senior manager of The Institution and is therefore responsible for providing leadership, guidance and motivation.
Organisation Chart
Minimum Qualifications and Experience
- PhD in Psychology, Education, Training and Development or a relevant tertiary qualification.
- 5 years + experience in Private Higher Education at a Senior Management Level.
- A minimum of 10 years + experience at a Senior Management Level in Higher Education.
Performance Management
Within the Organisation
- Academic Board
- Senior Management
- Academic Department
- Staff
- Educator Faculty
- Students
Outside Organisation
- Public & Private Academic Institutions
- Regulatory Bodies
- Professional Bodies
- Government Departments
- Learning and Teaching forums
- Committees that lend itself to the core academic work of The Institution
Skills
- Demonstrates outstanding leadership skills.
- Has established a reputation for teaching and learning excellence.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Outstanding written, oral communication and presentation skills.
- Demonstrates excellent report writing skills and the ability to reconcile policy and business issues.
- Excellent networking, influencing and negotiating skills.
- Strong project management and performance management skills, and the ability to develop, monitor and evaluate strategies and complex work plans.
Personal Attributes
- Passionate about promoting a culture of proactivity, innovation, transparency, collaboration and flexibility in The Institution.
- Commitment to the culture and values of The Institution.
- Is a leader of people and is able to elicit buy-in and motivate others.
- High level of personal responsibility and a strong sense of accountability.
- Self-disciplined with outstanding administrative, organisational and time management skills.
- Willing to consider alternative perspectives and ideas.
Key Results Area
Strategic Leadership and Operational Management of Learning and Teaching at The Institution
Specific Tasks and Activities
- Leads the development of institutional learning and teaching strategy alongside the teaching and learning team, using the OKRs as a means of annual goal setting and tracking.
- Ensures the implementation of learning and teaching strategy is smoothly executed.
- Provides support and mentorship to direct supports, which includes the various Head of Teaching and Learning, as well as the Head of Work Integrated Learning.
- Oversees the smooth operations of teaching and learning, as well as WIL and postgraduate research on the respective campuses.
- Reports to the Academic Boards on the implementation and completion of learning objectives of The Institution.
Key Performance Areas
- Strategic initiatives proposed, identified and developed in line with strategic vision using OKRs
- Monitor progress of OKR's and addresses challenges that impede progress at an individual and team level.
- Collaborative participation in academic efforts demonstrated throughout the institution.
- Regular meetings with direct supports.
Quality assurance related to learning and teaching at The Institution
Specific Tasks & Activities
- Promotes the academic quality culture at The Institution through the establishment of a systematic quality system.
- Work with the Head of Academic Standards and Quality Assurance to develop robust system for quality monitoring and evaluation and management of learning and teaching at The Institution.
Accountability of regulatory requirements related to learning and teaching at The Institution
Specific Tasks & Activities
- Works alongside the Academic Dean and broader Academic Team to ensure accountabilities for all regulatory requirements of the CHE, SAQA, the DHET and various professional bodies, with specific attention paid to learning and teaching.
Key Performance Areas
- Ensures the completion of reports relating to the requirements of regulatory bodies.
Policy Development and Management
Specific Tasks & Activities
- Oversees the development and implementation of academic policy related to learning and teaching, inclusive of Work Integrated Learning and Postgraduate Research, that are in line with regulatory and professional body requirements.
Key Performance Areas
- Ensures that all academic and other staff members are aware of academic policy requirements.
- High quality academic policy framework with policy gaps identified and addressed in a timely manner.
- Ensure that academic L&T, WIL & Research policies are relevant and up to date.
Governance and College Operational Management
Specific Tasks & Activities
- Supports the Academic Dean in the Management of the Academic Department overall.
- Contributes to and leads various committees and platforms which contribute to the overall running of The Institution College, inclusive of, but not limited to:
- Academic and College Leadership
- Academic Board
- Senate
- REC
- Stratco
- Graduation Committee
Key Performance Areas
- Attends and contributes to weekly Academic Leadership meetings.
- Supports the Academic Dean in preparations for the termly Academic Board and attends all Board meetings.
- Along with the rest of the Academic Team, produces a termly Quality Assurance Report.
- Management of the Academic Department budget related to Learning and Teaching.
Teaching, Learning and Scholarship
Specific Tasks & Activities
- Supervision and/or Lecturing
- Develop academic gravitas by representing The Institution at academic conferences, networking opportunities etc.
Key Performance Areas
- Takes an active role in promoting scholarship at The Institution.
Networking and Public Relations
Specific Tasks & Activities
- Actively build public profile of The Institution in general
- Work closely with Marketing to provide Media input on request.
- Build and maintain positive contacts with relevant stakeholders.
- Networks with external stakeholders to expand The Institution's influence on the higher education landscape nationally and internationally.
Key Performance Areas
- Represents The Institution institutionally at conferences, graduation, educator conferences, research colloquiums, educator meetings, programme launches etc.
Desired Skills:
- PHD in Psychology
- PHD in Education
- PhD in Training and Development
- Experience in Higher Education at Senior Management Level
Desired Work Experience:
Desired Qualification Level:
