PGT Academic Governance Manager

Job Purpose

To provide efficient and effective administrative management of academic governance for postgraduate teaching within the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences (MVLS). This post is responsible for providing guidance and advice to academic and administrative colleagues and ensuring that all postgraduate teaching meets College and University standards. The post is also responsible for managing postgraduate taught (PGT) appeal and misconduct caseloads and supporting the student experience by leading on engagement and managing the PGT Graduate Skills Award.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

1.       Effective and efficient management of PGT academic governance within the College of MVLS, providing advice, guidance, and training to colleagues on a wide range of governance issues, ensuring compliance with College and University regulations.

2.       In conjunction with the Dean of Postgraduate Teaching, leading on the development and implementation of College level policy to ensure UK-wide and University-level quality standards for PGT qualifications are met or exceeded whilst ensuring that new policies, procedures, and initiatives specific to PGT are effectively implemented. This includes providing accurate and appropriate briefing materials to the Dean of Postgraduate Teaching in relation to changes to policy and process, ensuring they are kept abreast of evolving policy and best practice.

3.       Supporting the delivery of strategic objectives by project managing the development of new PGT programmes working closely with the PGT Manager and Business Development Manager to ensure that academic colleagues are effectively supported through the process. This includes management of the College Board of Studies meetings, ensuring that University polices, and timelines are adhered to.

4.       Ensuring the provision of accurate, high-quality documentation and associated reporting mechanisms to meet the requirements of quality enhancement and assurance outputs such as annual monitoring and period subject review processes, ensuring compliance with policies, procedures and timetables stipulated by the University.

5.       Developing and maintaining good relationships and communication throughout the College and University Services to remove potential internal barriers, enhance collegiality and develop best practice. Providing advice to staff on policies, procedures and practices and their development to ensure accurate information is available to the College community.

6.       Contributing to the provision of the management information as appropriate i.e. PGT data for internal and external returns, analysis and benchmarking of data including student numbers, retention and submission/completion rates, and monitoring and management of student performance. Input to, and where appropriate co-ordination of, College/Graduate School responses to internal and external consultation documents.

7.       Engaging in the continuous monitoring and enhancement of PGT provision by reporting to Senate on an annual basis on areas of good practice, areas of concern, and student and staff feedback through the analysis of annual monitoring returns, external examiner reports, committee reports and student surveys.

8.       Work closely with the Dean of Postgraduate Teaching and the PGT Manager in managing the Periodic Subject Review process.

9.       Updating and collating revisions to College entries within the postgraduate prospectus and University regulations on an annual basis ensuring that any changes to postgraduate provision, including the introduction of new programmes, is accurately reported, and reflected in student facing documentation such as programme specifications and web pages.

10.    Responding to and resolving/progressing student complaints and appeals in a sensitive, discreet and efficient manner, whilst ensuring adherence to procedures, equitable treatment of students and timely processing of cases. Servicing the College Appeals Committee as necessary, providing high-level advice and guidance to staff and appellants.

11.    Leading and delivering continuous improvements to PGT student experience activities, primarily but not exclusively, within the framework of the PGT Graduate Skills Award, working in collaboration with the Skills Development Manager to identify best practice by reviewing and evaluating activities and benchmarking provision against the sector. This will include reviewing and creating actions in response to student feedback as part of the Graduate School’s wider response.

12.    Input to the development of feedback mechanisms for postgraduate students, to ensure that students’ needs are considered and met where appropriate.

13.    Overseeing the organisation and evaluation of PGT events including workshops, careers sessions, induction programmes, away days and other ad hoc events which support implementation of University and College strategy. This will include management and monitoring of budgets and resources for student experience activities.

14.    Development and maintenance of the Graduate School PGT web pages to promote the College and the role of the Graduate School both internally and externally, providing information for staff, current and prospective students.

15.    Effective line management of Graduate School Administrative Assistant with a strong focus on staff development, ensuring that a seamless support service is provided to the Deputy Director of Professional Services and other relevant staff within the Graduate School.

16.    Managing the College’s PGT misconduct caseload, providing advice and guidance to colleagues, working closely with Academic Policy & Governance to ensure the timely conclusion of local cases. This will include drafting associated policies, processes and ensuring that appropriate reporting mechanisms are in place to support continuous improvement.

17.    Undertaking any other duties as assigned by the PGT Manager.

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1. Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in a similar or number of distinct roles. Or Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9 (Ordinary Degree, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4) or equivalent (including professional accreditation with relevant formal training) and experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s).

A2. Up to date knowledge and understanding of the PGT sector.

A3. Good knowledge of academic programme structures, HE qualifications and associated academic regulations and governance.

A4. Extensive knowledge of developing and implementing administrative systems.

A5. Extensive knowledge and understanding of relevant policies and regulations applicable to higher education or a similar environment, i.e., professional body.

A6. Excellent knowledge and understanding of MyCampus, PIP and Moodle or similar bespoke IT systems.

A7. Extensive knowledge of Quality Assurance practices.

Desirable:

B1. Knowledge of PGT regulations including those for quality enhancement and assurance.

Skills

Essential:

C1. Ability to work proactively, using initiative and judgement, setting own targets and priorities to effectively manage the shifting demands of the role.

C2. Excellent influencing, relationship-building, and negotiating skills across organisational and professional boundaries and able to challenge status quo.

C3. Ability to manage multiple projects and schedule, prioritise and balance workload to meet deadlines.

C4. Proactive approach to problem solving, using initiative, and collaborating effectively to resolve issues.

C5. Excellent IT and data management skills, including spreadsheet and databases.

C6. Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.

C7. Ability to handle confidential and sensitive matters with absolute discretion.

C8. Excellent attention to detail and analytical insights.

C9. A creative approach to preventing and solving problems while influencing others to adopt solutions.

C10. Ability to support and develop administrative staff to deliver a seamless customer facing support service.

Desirable:

D1. High-quality project and change management skills.

Experience

Essential:

E1. Extensive experience in a similar role in higher education.

E2. Experience of servicing formal committees including accurate minute-taking, timely collation and distribution of papers and follow-through on actions.

E3. Experience of working in an academic environment, actively contributing to the development of policy, procedures, and regulations.

E4. Process management experience at an appropriate level in a complex organisation.

E5. Experience of report writing.

E6. Proven track record of development and line management of staff.

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.

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.