Head: Academic - Roodepoort at IIE MSA and IIE Varsity College

Duties and Responsibilities:

Academic Management                                                                                               

• Creates and manages the implementation of the campus academic delivery plan with Head of Faculties, Teaching and Learning Specialist, Educational Technologist, Lecturers, Academic Support Co-ordinators, Information Specialist and Assistant Information Specialist.

This will be achieved through the following:

• The achievement of greater student success (by achieving set targets) via an ongoing analysis of academic results, reporting on and addressing areas of risk;
• The improvement of student retention rates through the management of the quality student support interventions and strategies to improve student perseverance/resilience;
• The measurement of the effectiveness of student support interventions on an ongoing basis; and
• The management and development of the lecturing team with a focus on lecturer upskilling and scholarship, allocation of modules and lecturer workload.
• Ensures equity of academic delivery across schools.
• Accountable for compliance to the policies and procedures of The Independent Institute of Education.
• Responsible for engagement with the relevant National portfolio heads regarding campus Academic performance and compliance.
• Builds and promotes an active community of best academic practice on campus.
• Interacting with evidence and data to fully understand the status quo of the campus.
• Handling of student disputes and complaints relating to any academic matter.
• Handles lecturer queries.
• Actively engaging in action research in response to academic queries and issues raised.
• Co-ordinates and plans for annual lecturer awards.
• Supports the coordination and planning of student awards events.
• Manages the academic support and lecturer budgets.
• Works with other Senior Managers to ensure overall customer satisfaction.
• Assists the National team with academic projects.
• Manages internal and external academic audit processes.
• Attends management meetings.

Academic Staff Management                                                                                                    

• Recruits permanent academic staff and part-time staff.
• Ensures that new permanent academic staff have been trained sufficiently in order to understand their role, processes, policy and procedure.
• Responsible for the line management of the Head of Facilities, Teaching and Learning Specialist, Educational Technologist, Lecturers, Academic Support Co-ordinators, Information Specialist and Assistant Information Specialist. Within this, the clear communication of roles and responsibilities of each permanent academic team member.
• Co-ordinates the development of the permanent academic team.

Lecturing

• Teaches 1 undergraduate module per semester OR 1 postgraduate degree module in a year or supervision of Postgraduate students (campus capacity dependent). If engaged in approved formal research activity then the Head: Academic will be required to lecturer 1 undergraduate module per year. 

Research and Scholarship

• Plans, manages and reviews the research target deliverables on campus, and makes the necessary adjustments throughout the year to ensure that the required research outputs are achieved.
• Responsible for the annual reporting to the National Academic Manager on the research points achieved and qualifications completed by the permanent Academic staff and part-time staff.
• All designated academic employees are required to promote a culture of scholarship within their practice, discipline and campus/team and are also required to contribute towards The IIE’s MSA achieving its annual research output targets. Individual research output unit/s will be set in consultation with the line manager on an annual basis (Informed by The IIE 018 Academic Conditions of Service Policy).             

Competencies Required:

• Interpersonal, listening and communications skills
• Analytical and problem solving skills                                                     
• Leadership abilities to guide, influence, motivate and develop team members 
• Organisational, planning and time management skills                    
• Project management skills                                                                                                        
• Budget management skills                                                                                                        
• Quality orientated                                                                                                         
• Advanced Computer Literacy with a focus on online teaching skills and technologies
• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles of Teaching and Learning             
• Adaptive Thinking                                                                                                         
• Tolerance of operating in a pressurised and stressful environment and industry

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

• Minimum of Postgraduate Diploma/Honours Degree in Teaching Methodology or Subject Specialisation and a willingness to register for a Masters Degree (NQF Level 9).
• Masters Degree advantageous.

Minimum Experience Requirements:

• Minimum 3 years management experience with 6 years teaching or lecturing experience within a tertiary environment.
• Must have management experience in an academic setting and an understanding of the current regulatory framework and its impact on higher education and private colleges.