Associate Head of School – Quality & Accreditation at Coventry University

Coventry University Group is a global education group with a mission of Creating Better Futures. Driven by our passion and belief that through education, equity, and innovation our students, people, and communities are empowered to transform their lives and the world around them. Our people are the key to our success and each role within the group plays a key role in shaping the world around us.

The School of Computing, Mathematics and Data Science is a new School that has been created within the College to promote growth in these areas. The School is responsible for the development of a thriving portfolio of teaching, international partnerships, and industrial collaboration.  We offer undergraduate degrees in IT Management, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, Ethical Hacking & Cybersecurity, Interactive Media & Web Technologies, Games Technology and Data Science. Our postgraduate courses include Data Science (Conversion), Data Science & Computational Intelligence, Computer Science, Management of Information Systems & Technology, and Cyber Security.

As Associate Head of School in Quality & Accreditation you will be joining the management team of the School and you will deliver and develop courses which foster a first-class educational experience while nurturing and producing industry-ready graduates. 

The Role

Within the School of Computing, Mathematics and Data Science we seek to appoint a highly motivated Associate Head of School Quality and Accreditation.  Reporting to the Head of School with a functional reporting line to the Associate Dean for Quality and Accreditation, you will have specific responsibility for developing and managing Quality and Accreditation in line with internal and external regulations both for home and international programmes.

With guidance from the Associate Dean Quality & Accreditation, you will apply the College/University/Group Quality & Accreditation strategies throughout the School, ensuring that University policies are applied consistently to course design, approvals and reviews, achieving regulatory compliance whilst on behalf of the School, leading on approval processes, managing the Quality cycle for the largest TNE portfolio in the University/Group and leading on external validations. You will be responsible for ensuring the School is prepared for audits and all accreditation events and will oversee the preparatory project phase in the lead up to the approval event(s).

You will be responsible for leading on all Quality Assurance and enhancement activity relating to the School’s academic work, including on and off-campus delivery such as CPD, online, TNE, blended and distance learning, working collaboratively with other AHoS colleagues across the range of portfolios as required to maximise student experience. On behalf of the school, you will be responsible for assessment checking, marking protocols, moderation, and assessment boards ensuring adherence to process and timescales. Alongside AHoS colleagues and under the guidance of the Associate Dean, you will be expected to ensure the School contributes to the annual review of courses in the College’s Annual Report, monitoring and delivering action plans to enhance courses. You will work closely with Module Leaders, Course Directors and Course Administrators and will ensure that employability is embedded into all courses.

Liaison with accreditation bodies is a key part of this role ensuring links are established/developed and necessary actions taken to gain appropriate accreditations throughout the School. You will be responsible for maximising all professional accreditation opportunities for courses and subjects within the School.

As part of the School’s Management Team, you will be involved in helping to set and drive the School’s strategy around Quality and Accreditation, line manage staff, and assist the Head and Deputy Head in implementing the School’s wider strategy. All members of the School Management Team are expected to maintain their authority to teach by contributing to the School’s teaching, learning, and assessment in a subject area covered by the School, however it is expected that this will be a very minor part of the role.

Qualifications Required

A PhD plus experience in the relevant subject area or an equivalent level of professional experience alongside a postgraduate qualification in the relevant subject, it would be advantageous for the successful applicant to have a teaching qualification.  

Our Successful Candidate will have:

• Extensive teaching experience and evidence of successful innovation and programme development. Have a national reputation as an academic or practitioner with evidence of dissemination, and a record of achievement in curriculum leadership. Considerable experience of delivering quality assurance and accreditation programmes and Successful partnership working with accreditation bodies.
• Record of practice/research consultancy or publications in an area related to the College’s work and an ability to identify and exploit innovative and effective strategies in relation to quality and accreditation methods and approaches.
• Be able to work flexibly and use own initiative when appropriate. Must be able to demonstrate cultural awareness and be able to travel to represent the School/College/University group in the UK and overseas. Experience of working abroad or of working in partnership with organisations overseas.
• A commitment to act as a positive advocate for change in the recruitment of underrepresented groups in professional bodies, industry, commerce and the third sector is also expected.

The Benefits

As a staff member of Coventry University, you will have a access to a wide range of industry leading rewards and benefits which includes:

• Excellent Employers Pension Contribution
• 38 days Annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• New Holiday Purchase Scheme up to 5 additional days
• BUPA Cash Plan
• 50% off Tuition Fee’s for staff dependants
• CU Reward Scheme – Discounts across a range of High Street/ Online Retailers
• New Electric Car Scheme
• Cycle To work scheme

Our Culture

As a global Education Group, equality, diversity, and inclusion are embedded within the fabric of our organisation and are a key focus of our core values. We harness the power and potential of the diverse cultures, backgrounds, abilities, and experiences of our students, colleagues, and partners to create opportunities for all.

The School of Computing, Mathematics and Data Science takes pride in, values, and celebrates the quality and diversity of our staff. We welcome applications from all members of the community.

Job Description and Person Specification available on our website.

Closing Date: 8^th February 2024