Job Title:Assistant Academic Director - Business, Law, and MarketingDepartment:IR0021 Academic ProgrammesReporting to:Academic DirectorThe Assistant Academic Director will support the Academic Director in providing academic leadership in programme management, development and review and will work closely with programme teams in the delivery and implementation of high-quality learning opportunities for students. The Assistant Academic Director role is focused around 3 distinct areas:Effective programme management and teaching (a minimum of 200 hours of teaching and at least 5 years of experience in teaching Business, Marketing, or Law is required for this role) learning and assessment initiatives in DBS programmes.Implementation of programme development, review, and retention initiatives in the discipline area.Supporting the discipline Academic Director in discipline development, enhancement and innovation including opportunities for business development, employer-facing initiatives and improved graduate outcomes.Role Overview:The Assistant Academic Director role is an important role in DBS. This individual is responsible for ensuring high-quality, learner-centred education through effective programme management of an allocated suite of programmes and supporting teaching, learning and assessment initiatives in DBS. The Assistant Academic Director will lead programme development and review, as required, specifically supporting the Academic Director in developing programmes that strategically add to the suite of DBS programmes. They will help drive innovation and employer engagement initiatives to enhance graduate outcomes and the reputation of DBS. They will lead Programme Team meetings and Programme Boards, ensuring a regular cycle of meetings occurs and that the necessary reports and minutes are generated. They will support the Academic Director in the preparation of the Annual Programmes Report, and other reports as required. Together with the Academic Director, the Assistant Academic Director will ensure that programmes are taught in accordance with their validation and that programmes are taught to the highest possible standard. They will assist in programme promotion, student recruitment and partner management and deputise for the Academic Director as required, supporting the Academic Director in improving student retention and ensuring optional graduate outcomes. The successful candidate will have strong interpersonal skills, and experience in programme management and will collaborate and work well with the discipline Academic Director, Programme Level Managers, faculty and all key stakeholders. The Assistant Academic Director will be acutely aware of the viability of programmes and be alert to commercial opportunities and efficiencies in programme design, scheduling and other related areas in DBS.The Assistant Academic Director will report to the Academic Director and work in a collaborative and cohesive way with senior management programme teams and others at various levels of DBS in the acquittal of their duties.Main Responsibilities:Academic quality Effectively manage an allocated suite of programmes in a discipline area, instigating effective retention initiatives and facilitating optimal graduate outcomes.Manage programme-level teaching, learning and assessment, including the preparation of assessment schedules and learner-facing information.Steer the implementation of teaching, learning and assessment programme initiatives, and support and guide module leaders on the same.Ensure academic quality, guiding and supporting programme teams, in the provision of high-quality, learner-centred educational offerings.Role model innovation in teaching and learning in the suite of programmes in the discipline area.Lead programmes undergoing review and revalidation and support new programme development as required.Be fully conversant with company QA policies and procedures so as to provide guidance to other team members as appropriate.Oversee the academic quality and compliance of programmes, and module(s) as required.Assist the Academic Director in the annual review and evaluation of programmes, and modules, including the preparation of the Annual Programmes Report, ensuring such reviews are documented with consequent actions planned and delivered.Prepare the Programme Board and Programme Team Meetings agenda and reports.Contribute to discipline, faculty, or college-wide working groups or committees as requested.Mentor new members of faculty in your discipline area as required.Deputise for Academic Directors as required.Undertake other academic leadership work as assigned by the Academic Director.Programme ViabilitySupport the pursuit of the most financially viable means of advancing programme objectives.Support the pursuit of cross-listing of modules across programmes, ensuring that programme content produced for synchronous or asynchronous delivery has optimal use to maximise the return on development investment.Engage effectively with College Operations on the implementation of new programmes or changes to existing programmes, including transition to a changed delivery format post PRR, to ensure their operational and academic effectiveness.Undertake actions to maximise continuing student numbers on programme.Work on programme solutions to meet corporate and other tender requirements as required.Academic Delivery and Programme ManagementEngage in programme management and develop an operational plan on suite of programmes as allocated by the Academic Director.Work collaboratively with the Academic Director and Programme Level Manager(s) to ensure high-quality programme management and learning experiences for DBS learners.Review programme/module documentation to ensure teaching schemes, module guides, reading lists, assignments and examination papers are relevant, current and appropriate to the level.Support and implement initiatives that improve student retention and graduate outcomes.Attend open events, lead induction sessions, disseminate information on electives, engage in timetable approval and Moodle review.Lead, manage and plan for Programme Team meetings, Programme Boards, Examination Boards and other meetings as required.Attend Boards of Study and Academic Board, supporting Academic Director in reporting and associated duties. Oversee the selection of class representatives for each level of the programme.Generate learner-facing materials such as Programme Handbooks, Website materials, etc.Evaluate Moodle pages and identify good practice and areas for improvement, and take appropriate action to improve further the quality of teachingLiaise with the educational technology and development team on how IT can support the development and teaching of the subject areaIdentify any actions relating to programmes that need to be taken arising from the External Examiner feedback.Ensure exam papers are submitted in a timely and appropriate fashion for all allocated programmes.Provide high-quality academic, pastoral and personal support for students.Support student recruitment through participation in marketing and promotional events.Review and make recommendations on students applying for courses through the RPL process and escalate applications to Academic Directors as necessary.Review and make recommendations for PMCs, deferrals etc and escalate/ consult with the Academic Director as required.Work flexibly and efficiently, to maintain the highest professional standards and to promote and implement the policies of the College.Teach (classroom and/or online) in areas allocated by the Faculty Manager and approved by Head of Academic Programmes.Undertake all other activity associated with the delivery of teaching and variety of modes.Professional DevelopmentWilling to engage in continuous professional development in teaching, learning and assessment.Contribute to, and attend, CPD events and training, that are set up with the purpose of faculty development and assistance in teaching, learning and assessment.Active in research and scholarly activity to the benefit of DBS and themselves.Maintain membership of any professional, discipline-specific, affiliated bodies.Skills and AttributesEssentialThe successful candidate will have strong interpersonal skills, be a good communicator, understand how to work collaboratively and well with others, have demonstrable experience in programme management, review and revalidation, and most of all, be an educational professional and academic leader in their field. The Assistant Academic Director will have a strong work ethic and possess a set of values that align with the DBS values. They will have:Proven ability to work as part of a team as well as independently.Ability to foster and maintain professional relationships.Proven ability to multitask and successfully deliver high-quality work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.Strong communication skills.Master's qualification in relevant discipline.Good understanding of academic programme management and delivery in the higher education field.Good understanding of academic regulations.At least 5 years of proven academic experience in the higher education sector.Proven experience in programme management and delivery.DesirableStrong understanding of customer service and an appreciation of the requirements of a private educational institution.Qualified to PhD level or well progressed on a PhD track.Teaching and Learning qualifications will be an advantage.Other particulars of the role:Assistant Academic Directors assume responsibility for the management of a suite of programmes in DBS. This suite will be identified at the commencement of the role.Reporting to the Academic Director, Assistant Academic Directors will teach a maximum of 200 hours per annum in an area of expertise and subject specialism, as allocated by Faculty Management. Any hours in excess of this amount are subject to the approval of line management.Pay & BenefitsThe salary for this role is 58K.Free Internal Courses;Discounted Fees for Family Members;Life Assurance & Disabilities Cover;Sports & Social;Employee Assistance Programme;Employee Discount Scheme; Paid sick leave;Death-In-Service Benefit.This job description is a guide to the work the post holders will initially be required to undertake. It may be amended from time to time to meet changing circumstances by mutual agreement. It is expected that the post-holders and their manager will review the job description regularly.Position Type: Full timeContract Type: RegularPay Frequency: Location: Dublin, IrelandJob Functional Area: Faculty ManagementAll appointments are subject to providing proof of eligibility to work in Ireland on full time basis (upon being invited to interview). Please refer to our privacy policy here: DBS Privacy Notice for Candidates.This job description is a guide to the work the post holder will initially be required to undertake. It may be amended from time to time to meet changing circumstances by mutual agreement. It is expected that the job description will be reviewed regularly by the post-holder and their manager.DBS is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. 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