Director of Learning and Teaching

School: Academy of Future Education

Department: N/A

Position: Director of Learning and Teaching

Location: Suzhou, China

Contract Type: Fixed-term, renewable. 3rd contract is open-ended

ABOUT XJTLU

In 2006 Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) was created by the University of Liverpool and Xi’an Jiaotong University – a top ten university in China. Offering a unique international education experience, XJTLU brings together excellent research practice and expertise from both institutions and gives students the skills and knowledge they need to secure careers in a global marketplace. XJTLU now has over 25,000 enrolled students in both Suzhou and Liverpool in the UK, with plans to grow to about 28,000 students by 2025. There are currently about 2,000 staff, among which about 1,000 academic staff, with an almost even split between citizens of the People’s Republic of China and international passport holders. XJTLU offers our undergraduates and postgraduates over 100 programmes with a diverse spectrum of courses.

XJTLU is entering a new and exciting phase of its development as part of its strategic priorities for the next ten years. Adopting a new higher education model based on the concept of Syntegrative Education (SE), XJTLU is currently opening a new Entrepreneurial Education site in Taicang, part of wider Suzhou, where the Entrepreneur College (Taicang) is located. The Taicang site will be a pioneer of, and educational model for, the future campus in addressing challenges arising from the 4th Industrial Revolution. Other new initiatives include new working partnerships with Xi’an Jiaotong University, the continued development of the four new Academies, and exploration of further potential locations to develop the SE model.

With a focus on innovative learning and teaching, and research, XJTLU draws on the strengths of its parent universities, and plays a pivotal role in facilitating access to China for UK and other institutional partners. At same time, XJTLU is exploring future education by blending the educational theory, best practice and culture from west and east.

For detailed information about the university, please visit www.xjtlu.edu.cn.

ABOUT ACADEMY OF FUTURE EDUCATION (AOFE)

The Academy of Future Education of Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University is an educational innovation ecosystem that focuses on research, exploration, support, and dissemination of philosophy and best practices for future education. The core mission of the Academy is to impact education innovation and reform in China and beyond through a variety of projects and programmes, based on fundamental approaches in educational innovation and systemic development designed to contribute to the future of education. The Academy supports individuals and institutions at all levels, including all the K-15 schools as well as vocational education and higher education institutions.

Four units make up the Academy, namely the Department of Educational Studies (EDS), Institute of Leadership & Education Advanced Development (ILEAD), and Educational Development Unit (EDU), Learning Institute for Future Excellence (LIFE). Key projects of the Academy include the following programmes:

·Master’s and doctoral degree programmes in education

·Research projects on future education

·Education innovation community

·Professional development programmes for educational practitioners

·Student learning excellence support programmes

·Online-onsite hybrid learning environment and resources.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

The Director of Learning and Teaching in the Academy of Future Education is a key role in the management and development of degree programmes and the delivery of learning and teaching activities, and the role holder leads on the development and implementation of Academy strategy for learning and teaching. The Director reports directly to the Executive Dean of the Academy.

The designation for this position ranges from associate professor, to senior associate professor, and up to full professor in education.

Leadership

1.The Director of Learning and Teaching provides leadership and oversight for the development of degree programmes and the delivery of teaching in the Academy.

2.The Director is a member of the Academy of Future Education Senior Management Team.

3.It is the responsibility of the Director of Learning and Teaching to ensure that teaching programmes maximise the market opportunities for the Academy; that the content of modules is kept up to date; and that new advances in teaching technology and academic discussions are accommodated.

Administration

1.The Director has oversight of all teaching activities in the four units.

2.The Director is responsible for putting measures in place to encourage the development of best teaching practice within the four units.

3.The Director is responsible for enhancing student learning experience in the Academy, and overseeing strategic development of existing and new degree programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

4.The Director may be asked to take on specific administrative tasks by the Executive Dean of Academy. These include service on committees and working parties, as well as tasks related to learning and teaching.

Management

1.The Director plays a leading role in the Academy Learning and Teaching Committee and is often, but not necessarily, the Chair of this Committee.

2.The Director may assist the Academy Senior Management Team in the effective delivery of line management and of Annual Professional Reviews.

Key relationships

1.The Director reports directly to the Executive Dean.

2.The Director of Learning and Teaching works closely with the Associate Vice President for Education on the formulation and implementation of the University Education Strategy.

3.The Director works closely with Academy Senior Management Team to ensure the development of an appropriate learning and teaching environment.

4.The Director works closely with the HoDs of four units in the Academy to ensure programs and modules meet market demand, appropriate standards of delivery, and student expectations.

5.The Director works closely with all Programme Directors in the four units in the Academy to ensure the effective presentation and delivery of programmes of learning and teaching.

6.The Director works closely with the Academy Learning and Teaching Committee and particularly with the Chair to ensure the highest standards of quality assurance in teaching planning and delivery are met.

7.The Director of Learning and Teaching is the Academy representative in the University Learning and Teaching Committee.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:

The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate:

·Significant leadership and management accomplishments in Learning & Teaching

·Self-reliance and the ability to work autonomously

·The ability to develop and implement a strategic vision

·Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:

We are looking for someone with the ambition, creativity and organizational skills to succeed in an exciting environment of continued growth and significant change. Applicants should:

·Be educated to PhD degree level;

·Have at least five years of teaching experience at university level;

·Have significant recent experience of management in a higher education context, for example, experience of being a module leader, or programme director;

·Significant team leadership experience in an HE L&T context;

·Be able to demonstrate an understanding of a principled approach to pedagogy.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:

·Experience of successful development and implementation of curricula in education, and/or teaching quality enhancement programmes;

·Experience of working within quality assurance frameworks that are institutional, national and international;

·Experience working in a transnational educational context with Chinese and/or UK partner institutions;

·The status of FHEA or higher from the Higher Education Academy in the UK and a willingness to acquire even higher levels of status based on achievements in this role.

CITIZENSHIP AND VISA REGULATIONS

Employment at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University is regulated by Chinese Labour Laws, and must comply with the regulations of the provincial government. These regulations stipulate who is eligible for legal employment with regard to obtaining work permits and visas.  Please be advised candidates over 65 may be not eligible for a work visa in the P.R. China.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

1.Clear career development path with annual review.

2.Professional development trainings are provided.

COPENSATION & BENEFITS

SALARY: Competitive salary in the market

BENEFITS

1.Allowance: XJTLU provide various month/annual/one-off allowances as

·Housing allowance

·Travel allowance

·Kids’ education allowance

·Relocation allowance

·Etc.

2.Commercial insurance: international insurance plans customized for XJTLU staff and family members. (details refer to the University Policy)

3.Paid holidays:

·Statutory Holidays (11 days)

·Annual Leave (36 days)

·Family Matters Lave

·Paid Sick Leave

·Marriage Lave

·Paternity Leave

·Parental leave

·Etc.

4.Working visa and residence permit in China:

5.XJTLU sponsors working visa and residence permit in China for the staff.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your application on our university website [HERE]. Applications must be submitted in a single pdf file that includes 3 parts in the order of:

• A cover letter

• A current CV, including date of birth, country of citizenship, and highest degree level

• Contact Details for Three References

For specific enquiries about the positions and the Academy may be addressed to the Executive Dean, Dr. Xiaojun Zhang (Xiaojun.zhang@xjtlu.edu.cn) and/or the Associate Vice President for Education Professor Zhoulin Ruan (zhoulin.ruan@xjtlu.edu.cn). Other informal enquiries may be addressed to HR at  juan.chen@xjtlu.edu.cn.