Job Title: Dean of Education and Outcomes
Department: Directorate of Education and Outcomes
Reports to: Provost and Chief Academic Officer
Grade: Academic, SPOT
Salary scale: Commensurate with Experience
Term: Permanent
Hours: Full-time

Overview

As the University builds on its rich heritage, we seek exceptional people to contribute to the shaping of our future. St Mary’s University provides a high-quality professional environment, guided by a distinctive ethos and rooted in Catholic mission and values. Committed to inclusivity, our University is an open and welcoming community for all. We are on an exciting journey of transformation and growth, to benefit students, staff and the wider St Mary’s community. Our values of excellence, generosity of spirit, respect and inclusiveness are at the heart of all our endeavours.

With over 6000 students and 700 staff, the University makes significant contributions to our local community and wider society, empowering our community to have a positive global impact.

The University is proud of the support given to students which is underpinned by the provision of teaching that is student-focused with a strong emphasis on skills and character development.  Our student-centred culture leads to excellent levels of student satisfaction with St Mary’s ranking 5th in the country for Teaching Quality and 7th for Student Experience. The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 ranks St Mary’s University in the top 50 universities in the UK. We rank in the top ten for student experience and in the top five for teaching quality. (Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.)

The Dean of Student Education and Outcomes is a newly created position which contributes a pivotal role in shaping and enhancing the overall student learning experience and outcomes at St Mary’s University. This includes the University’s approach to education and student experience with innovations in teaching delivery, building communities and bringing the student voice and equality, diversity and inclusion agendas into key committees and decision making. We look forward to welcoming applications for this exciting Senior Management role from inspiring leaders who share our values, and are able to lead the Faculty through what will be a period of considerable change and development.

Job purpose

The University is proud of the support given to students and is underpinned by the provision of teaching that is student-focused with a strong emphasis on skills and character development. The Dean of Education and Outcomes will report and provide advice to the Provost and Chief Academic Officer, as well as other colleagues on all matters relating to:

• Learning and Teaching
• Educational Outcomes and Student Success
• Student Experience and Enhancement
• Access and Participation Plan
• Academic support provision and professional development
• Academic Partnerships
• Academic leadership for University-wide curriculum enhancement of the academic offer
• Equality, diversity and inclusion

The postholder will take the lead, working collegially with colleagues across the University to provide strategic leadership to ensure the delivery of high-quality education, fostering an environment that empowers students and academic staff in the delivery of an exceptional student experience. You will provide vision and leadership for the Directorate to ensure efficient and effective operation of its work, as well as playing a crucial role in delivery of the five pillars of our refreshed Vision 2030.

Main duties and responsibilities

Accountable for the successful development, delivery and evaluation of an ambitious, coherent and shared strategic plan for education and inclusion. The post holder will:

Strategic leadership

• Lead a clear and compelling vision for education, student experience and inclusion, collaboratively identifying what makes for sustainable education and outcomes at St Mary’s University.
• Ensure effective communication of the strategic aims of Student Education and Outcomes throughout the academic community and the broader University.
• Champion for strategic curriculum development, incorporating innovative educational methods and technologies at the highest standards. Facilitate practical consolidation of the curriculum to ensure the institutional offerings remain contemporary, inspiring, and achievable.
• Direct impactful institutional change, gauged through enhanced student satisfaction scores, EDI, Equality Charter metrics and outcomes, staff engagement and other pertinent metrics.
• Promote a high-performance culture founded on trust, authentic collaboration, evidence-driven change, and a commitment to continuous improvement

Operational leadership and management

• Oversee the implementation of strategies aimed at improving student success and outcomes, collaborating with colleagues to collectively identify and address barriers to student achievement.
• In partnership with academic Deans and Directors, ensure the delivery of best practice in learning and teaching across the University.
• Work with St Mary’s Student Union (SMSU) to collaboratively design and implement strategies for education experience, ensuring the comprehensive integration of the student voice into strategy, policy, procedures and decision-making processes.
• Collaborate with Executive Deans and academic colleagues to take a leading role in the development of the University’s academic portfolio, including academic partnerships to meet growth ambitions. Ensure the coherence and effectiveness of the academic offer.
• Lead the University’s engagement with relevant areas of the external regulatory landscape, ensuring that learning, teaching, and the student experience meet and enhance quality and compliance with the TEF (Teaching Excellence Framework) Framework standards and B3 metrics from the Office for Students (OfS), Access and Participation Plan, as well as other Public Sector Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs). Ensure that the University meets or exceeds the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in relation to its education provision and EDI objectives.
• Provide leadership in the development and implementation of the University’s Access and Participation Plan (APP) and the implementation of Equality Charters, Disability Confident Scheme and LGBTQ+ inclusion project. Engaging and working with staff and student network committees to deliver joint outcomes
• Provide professional and academic leadership to ensure a proactive and strategic approach to EDI which supports the implementation of the University’s Diversity and Inclusion aims for staff and students, ensuring objectives are met and strategic goals progress. Be a visible role model. Work with the HR Directorate to ensure alignment of EDI staff activity with the People Strategy.
• Working with professional services directorates, provide academic leadership of critical Quality Assurance and improvement processes including academic standards.
• Responsible for the oversight of the comprehensive Academic Development Programme including ongoing continuing professional development for all academic staff. To ensure the continuous review and updating of this agenda in line with the University’s strategic objectives.

Other responsibilities

• Act as a senior adviser to the Provost on relevant areas of responsibility, ensuring that your professional knowledge is kept up to date and benchmarked favourably against good practice within comparable organisations.
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with internal and external bodies (including national and international organisations) to promote the University.
• Take responsibility for the Health and Safety aspects of all Staff and Students in the Directorate.
• Deputise for the Provost as required.
• Chair Committee and establish working group as required.
• Other ad-hoc duties as required.

This job description reflects the present requirements of the post, and as duties and responsibilities change/develop, the job description will be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the post holder.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

All of the following criteria are considered essential.

• Hold a first degree and relevant postgraduate qualifications, normally a doctoral qualification.
• Substantial experience at strategic senior manager level within an education-based organisation of comparable size and complexity.
• A substantial and demonstrable record of outstanding achievement in a senior academic leadership role.
• Deep understanding of the higher education landscape and issues affecting UK Higher Education and the differing educational needs of disciplines.
• Evidence of successfully leading transformational change in learning and teaching daily on an institutional wide basis.
• Demonstrable experience of driving change and impactful outcomes in education, as well as the student experience.
• Highly developed strategic mindset – able to inspire commitment to St Mary’s Vision, goals and objectives for education and student outcomes.
• Experience of, and expertise in, budgeting, forecasting and the management of financial and other resources.
• Skilled strategic, creative and analytical thinker, able to establish high levels of personal credibility and integrity.
• Team player who can influence and collaborate in an environment of distributed decision-making.
• Excellent customer relations skills, including a commitment to continuous improvement to respond to staff and student requirements to deliver a high level of customer service in support of the academic mission.
• Ability to develop a compelling vision that balances respect for tradition with carefully calculated risks, and delivers step change in performance.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the issues and demands facing the University within a wider higher education context.
• Ability to interpret pedagogical theory and innovation into terms accessible to a variety of stakeholders, and to translate into actionable and impactful plans.
• Good interpersonal skills, including the ability to develop excellent working relationships with a range of internal and external partners.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to use advocacy and negotiating skills to effect change.
• An understanding of how this role can help to enhance the University’s widening participation, equal opportunities and social inclusion agendas, and a commitment to translate this understanding into action.
• Respect for the purposes of the University and a belief in, and commitment to, the role of higher education in society.
• Excellent understanding of the developments and requirements of academic professional development in HE contexts.
• Vision, energy and genuine passion for the University mission and values, including our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusivity.

University policies and procedures

All staff are expected to undertake their work in an inclusive, fair, safe and respectful manner, particular consideration should be given to the University values.

St Mary’s University reserves the right to change and amend this Job description/Person Specification in accordance with the changing requirements of the organisation.

Job title: Dean of Education, Theology and the Arts
Faculty: Education, Theology and the Arts
Reports to: Provost
Salary: Circa £96,000 + £5,000 corporate duties allowance – commensurate with experience
Hours: Full-time (At this level of post it is expected that the post holder will work additional hours if required as part of the contractual hours)
Term: Permanent

Contextual information

As the University builds on its proud heritage, we are looking for exceptional people to help shape our future. We provide a high-quality professional environment, inspired by our distinctive ethos and Catholic mission and values. Our values of excellence, generosity of spirit, inclusiveness and respect inspire us to create an academic community in which everybody is welcomed and which puts the student at the centre of all our endeavours.

With over 6,000 students and 700 staff, the University makes significant contributions to our local community and wider society, empowering our community to have a positive global impact.

The University is proud of the support given to students which is underpinned by the provision of teaching that is student-focused with a strong emphasis on skills and character development.  Our student-centred culture leads to excellent levels of student satisfaction with St Mary’s ranking 5th in the country for Teaching Quality and 7th for Student Experience. The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 ranks St Mary’s University in the top 50 universities in the UK. We rank in the top ten for student experience and in the top five for teaching quality. (Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.)

The Faculty of Education, Theology and the Arts is at the heart of the University’s strategy and we welcome applications for this exciting senior leadership role from inspiring leaders who share our values, and are able to lead the Faculty through what will be a period of considerable change and development.

The Faculty consists of three Schools: the School of Education, the School of Theology, and the School of Liberal and Creative Arts, with established expertise and resources in these fields.  We are committed to offering a vocationally relevant portfolio of programmes to the highest academic standards.

The School of Education welcomes everyone with a passion for education and offers a wide range of programmes including primary and secondary teacher training routes. Additionally, the School offers professional development opportunities for teachers and we are in partnership with 500+ schools and other organisations. The Dean will be expected to promote an excellent research culture and lead staff in the development of new CPD offerings for school and academy leaders, with an initial focus on Catholic multi-academy trusts.

The School of Theology has an excellent record in both research and teaching. The Mater Ecclesiae College, a Pontifical Institute based at St. Mary’s University has Pontifical Degree awarding powers and, together with the School, prepares candidates for ordained ministry at various levels in the Catholic Church. The School of Theology also has unique programmes in, for example, bio-ethics and Christian social thought and theology.

The School Liberal and Creative Arts includes our existing suite of Drama, Film and Liberal Arts programmes. Our undergraduate Drama degrees combine the best of Drama School (conservatoire) training with the best of university education and our postgraduate courses are vocational programmes that aim to equip students with advanced industry skills, as well as provide the opportunity for artistic experiment and research. Liberal Arts aims to explore the Arts and Humanities with an interdisciplinary approach, studying a broad range of subjects. This includes aspects of History, English, Film and Creative Writing and enables students to discover creative methods of engagement and leadership that will help shape the future of our cultural, heritage and creative arts industries.

All these areas have a sound foundation in teaching and research but, as the University implements its strategy, we seek a candidate who will lead and work with academic and professional service staff to develop new programmes in an era of considerable change, as well as take advantage of enterprise opportunities and deepen the research culture.

You can read more about the Faculty here.

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Provost and Chief Academic Officer, the Dean of Education, Theology and the Arts will have strong leadership and management credentials, with demonstrable experience in educational leadership with a thorough knowledge of the challenges and opportunities in the university sector. You will be responsible for effective Faculty Leadership, efficient Faculty operations and finances and delivering an inclusive educational experience through co-ordinated Faculty activities aligned to University Strategy and the development of the Faculty’s portfolio.

The Dean of Education, Theology and the Arts will take lead, working collegially with colleagues across the University to actively contribute to wider University management and initiatives. You will provide vision and leadership for the Faculty to ensure efficient and effective operation of its work as well as, play a crucial role in the delivery of the five pillars of our refreshed Vision 2030 to include achieving student success, developing our people, extending our impact through growth, expanding our reach through partnership and enhancing our sense of place.

The Dean of Education, Theology and the Arts will be responsible to providing strong Academic Leadership and Innovation for the School driven by a commitment to Teaching and Learning, the Student Experience, Partnerships, Research and Knowledge Exchange, Effective Management of Resources.

Main duties and responsibilities

The main responsibilities of the role include the following:

Achieving student success

• Lead, develop and co-ordinate teaching and learning in the Faculty across all disciplines.
• Working with Heads of School, take overall responsibility for student lifecycle processes from student recruitment through retention, progression and graduate outcomes. This includes associated activities in relation to enrolment, assessments and examinations, module selections, timetabling and technology enhanced learning.

Developing our people

• Lead, manage, develop and motivate staff in the Faculty to create a culture of academic excellence, collegial working, inclusiveness and respect.
• Managing, developing and recruiting the staff in the Faculty.
• Lead the Faculty through complex change processes, engaging and influencing stakeholders at all levels, and providing leadership and transparency in decision making.
• Supporting Heads of Schools in the Faculty, increasing accountability for discharge of their areas of responsibility.
• Manage the Faculty’s core budget and non-core income-generating activities.

Extending our impact through growth

• Providing strategic leadership in the development and operation of the Faculty, working with other members of the Senior Leadership Team to promote the University’s Strategic Vision.
• Promoting the Faculty externally.
• Acting as an advocate for the Faculty and ensuring its views are represented at relevant Committees in the University.
• Ensure systems and processes are in place to successfully meet the Ofsted Inspection and ongoing delivery framework, to ensure ongoing accreditation.
• Actively foster and develop new international relationships.
• Market effectively the Faculty’s programmes to potential home and international students.
• Develop the Faculty’s portfolio of programmes to respond innovatively to the changing nature of student and employer demand.
• Actively promote a research culture in the Faculty, including through the development of inter-disciplinary research in co-operation with other faculties.
• Ensure compliance with quality assurance and enhancement procedures for all taught and research programmes within the Faculty.

Expanding our reach through partnership

• Work with other Faculties within the University on the development of research, professional development and taught programmes.
• Develop a range of strategic partnerships and relationships with schools mutli-academy trusts, professional organisations and the range of stakeholders involved in teacher education, including policymakers, regulators and relevant funding bodies.
• Build effective working relationships with leading academics, practitioners and, employers relevant to the Faculty’s activities in order to promote and enhance the work of the Faculty in teaching, research and knowledge exchange.
• Facilitating Faculty-level enterprise activities, including the development of commercial opportunities to develop research programmes and exploit intellectual property in conjunction with the Director of Research.
• Work with alumni to further the interests of the Faculty.
• Facilitating Faculty-level alumni and development activities in conjunction with the relevant Director.

Enhancing our sense of place

• Take responsibility for the Health and Safety aspects of all Staff and Students in the Faculty.

Other responsibilities

• Charing Faculty and University level Committees as required.
• Other ad-hoc duties as required.
• Deans will be expected to pursue actively their own personal and professional development, in consultation with the Provost and Chief Academic Officer.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

All of the following criteria are considered essential unless otherwise noted.

Knowledge and qualifications

• Graduate with Doctoral level academic qualifications in an area covered by the Faculty. (Desirable)
• Specialist subject expertise and working knowledge in a relevant discipline.
• Recent academic leadership and management experience of complex teams in Higher Education at School, Faculty or University level.
• Successful experience of financial management at a School, Faculty or University level in HE environment.
• Track record of successfully leading change at School, Faculty or University level in HE environment
• A proven competency in teaching in a relevant discipline and strong teaching record in Higher Education.
• Knowledge and experience of leading the implementation of learning and teaching initiatives. (Desirable)
• Personal research record. (Desirable)
• Record of involvement in partnership working with non-academic organisations to produce demonstrable economic, public policy or quality of life benefits. (Desirable)
• Experience in policy writing and strategic thinking.

Skills and abilities

• Leadership: ability to establish principles and set direction and motivate colleagues in HE.
• Interpersonal skills: ability to relate to others with tact and diplomacy.
• Analytical and creative thinking: ability to conceptualise and analyse problems and to synthesise complex sets of information and ideas.
• Collaboration: ability to work with senior colleagues within agreed framework.
• Communication: ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.
• Planning and organisation: workload and financial and resource planning and monitoring, and ability to assess and implement priorities.
• Highly developed negotiating and influencing skills.
• Facilitate change and achieve conflict resolution.

University policies and procedures

All staff are expected to undertake their work in an inclusive, fair, safe and respectful manner, particular consideration should be given to the University values.

St Mary’s University reserves the right to change and amend this Job description/Person Specification in accordance with the changing requirements of the organisation.