JOB DESCRIPTION 

POST TITLE:  Programme Area Manager – Foundation (Level 1)

LINE MANAGER:  Curriculum Area Manager – Academic and Foundation     Learning. 

SALARY SCALE:  Point 38 on the College Payscale

DATE  January 2012

INTRODUCTION

The primary responsibility of the post is to assist the Curriculum Area Manager to lead, develop and expand the work of a designated curriculum area. All staff are expected to support the College’s commitment to safeguarding and child protection.

GENERAL SCOPE OF POST

To work with the Curriculum Area Manager to assist with the strategic management and development of College services and provision.

COLLEGE RESPONSIBILITIES

In addition to the generic responsibilities referred to above, all colleagues employed directly in connection with the teaching and learning experiences of students at Stratford upon Avon College are expected to undertake the following College related responsibilities.

 Flexibility

Work flexibly as part of a team with cross College responsibilities.

 Pastoral Care

Act as personal tutor to a group or groups of students.

 Faculty Responsibilities

Assist with the general management of the Faculty. Undertake timetabling, assisting with the allocation and staffing of courses, undertake staff performance appraisal reviews, lesson observations and the identification of individual training needs etc. Where appropriate, assist with the arrangements of Faculty based development activities.

 Curriculum Development

Contribute to and/or lead curriculum development and design for a significant course or group of courses. Undertake the responsibility for the design and development of new courses.

  Programme Management

Research and develop teaching materials and learning strategies for a significant range of courses and/or levels, liaising with teaching colleagues, convening and chairing course team meetings, completing and maintaining course related documentation and systems and organising assessment/exam schedules etc. Monitor and analyse course performance data including retention and attendance data and institute appropriate action as necessary.

  Marketing

Assist with the recruitment, admission and enrolment of students and the marketing of courses in particular, and the College in general. To include assisting with the production of copy for College/course prospectus, brochures and the like. 

  Quality Assurance

Participate fully in undertaking all aspects of the College’s Quality Assurance systems. Produce Sub-SARs and Action Plans.

  External Links

Act as link between the College and external awarding bodies and or other contacts.

  Equal Opportunities

Be committed to, and actively support, the College’s policy on equal opportunities, entitlement and inclusiveness.

Staff and Continuous Personal Development

As identified, participate fully in all activities designed to improve the quality of individual, team and College performance.

Health & Safety

Implement College Health and Safety systems and procedures.

Other Duties

Undertake other commensurate duties as may be required from time to time.

HOURS OF WORK

The postholder will work 37 hours per week and up to 415 scheduled hours and unscheduled hours per annum.

CRIMINAL RECORDS BUREAU

Due to the nature of the post you may be required to undertake duties that involve unrestricted contact with children or vulnerable adults therefore the offer of employment is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure statement from the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).   A copy of the CRB’s Code of Practice is available on request.

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN

The College is fully committed to Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults, following safe recruitment in line with Government procedures.

JOB ROLE RESPONSBILITES AND DUTIES

 Operational Management of the designated Programme Area

• Work closely with the Curriculum Area Manager (CAM), to plan an appropriate provision.
• Work closely with the CAM to recruit sufficient lecturers/learning mentors, instructors or assessors to deliver the planned programme.
• Ensure the availability of appropriate resources.
• Organise and implement appropriate structures for the delivery of high-quality programmes.
• Proactively promote the curriculum provision relating to the Curriculum Area or wider College in order to meet challenging recruitment targets.
• Review the curriculum offer regularly to ensure it meets the learner needs.
• Represent the College with relevant external organisations or at events thereby furthering the work of the College.
• Assist in creating and maintaining appropriate conditions for an effective working environment to include undertaking Health and Safety Risk Assessments in accordance with College policy.
• Ensure that all College policies such as equal opportunities, disability, diversity and inclusivity are promoted and adhered to.
• Carry out session observations, NVQ observations and action planning in line with College’s Quality procedures.
• Ensure College’s Quality Assurance procedures are embedded and contribute toward continuous quality improvement. 
• Maintain close links with the appropriate agencies and local partnerships.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for developing and expanding the provision with employers and cross-College curriculum areas.
• Develop networks and manage strategic partnership projects with local agencies to support delivery and high quality provision.
• Maintain high quality documentation and ensure College polices and procedures are adhered to.
• Assist in CPD sessions provided across the College.
• Liaise with teams across the college to plan and deliver high quality education and training.
• Facilitate the use and dissemination of the Learner Profile Documents.

 Cross-College Responsibilities

• Ensure that the full range of provision is planned in a co-ordinated and coherent way.
• Work with the Head of Learner Services to develop ALS provision and widen entitlement.
• Lead with the team to write the annual SAR & Action Plan.
• Chair regular team meetings with appropriate minutes and team log.
• Ensure the quality files are regularly updated to give a comprehensive over view of the programme.
• Complete timetabling and strategic planning, liaison with other teams.
• Assist in the preparation of Management Review Documents.
• Co-ordinate Internal Verification and action NSS reports as required.
• Assist in the completion of Special Measures Action Plans to address underperforming programmes and implementing the plans.
• Develop forums and learner surveys and review and implement the feedback.
• Ensure that a thorough mentoring and induction programme is developed for new member of staff.
• Effectively implement College quality improvement processes.

 Student Recruitment, Achievement and Progression

• Prepare publicity materials in partnership with Marketing.
• Recruit new students via national and local networks.

 With the Head of Learner Services and the admissions team, arrange student interviews, where appropriate diagnostic assessments and individual  needs analysis.

Prepare and assist in the Student Induction programme.

• Provide advice, guidance and support to students, on the programme and on progression.
• Search out and develop new accreditation routes for students.

 Ensure the co-ordination and standardisation of internal assessment and external validation and portfolio verification.

• Ensure student records are maintained in line with audit and Awarding

Body requirements.

• Organise and contribute towards Awards Ceremonies and Open Events.
• Proactively work with CIS to ensure that student data is accurate.

 Curriculum Delivery

• Undertake teaching duties across a range of programmes according to skills and experience.
• Carry out assessments and record learning outcomes as appropriate to the demands of the awarding bodies.
• Devise and deliver interesting and innovative activities for learners and in conjunction with other team members, develop strategies to improve learning features.
• Work with external bodies to provide appropriate provision for NEETS programmes.
• Work with the local Area Partnership to develop appropriate provision through integration within the programme for permanently excluded or a risk of exclusion learners aged 14-16.
• Lead the effective integration of E-Learning into the area of responsibility.
• Support students in undertaking nationally recognised qualifications.
• Undertake such other commensurate duties as may from time to time be required. 

 Other duties

 Develop strategies for smooth and effective transition between levels.

 Embed core elements effectively in curriculum development.

 Work effectively with Connexions to recruit to appropriate programmes.

 Liaise effectively with colleagues to facilitate progression into work apprenticeships, independent living or further education.

 Work closely with Learner Services and CIS to ensure support is appropriate to meet learners’ needs and ALS is properly documented and claimed. 

NOTE:

This is a description of the job as it is at present constituted. Job descriptions are periodically reviewed and updated in the light of the changing needs of the College. After consultation with the postholder the job description may be amended.

Supporting information

Programme Area Manager – Skills Development Foundation (Level 1)

This is an exciting opportunity for an inspirational and charismatic leader who is strategically astute and able to drive the Foundation Programme forward to build upon its current reputation and in particular to support innovation within the delivery and development of the curriculum.

You will be working collaboratively with other staff to co-ordinate our Foundation Learning activities and courses, ensuring that the provision is of a high quality, are responsive to the needs of the learner and meet the priorities of our funding agencies. Job responsibilities will include curriculum management, developing progression routes for Foundation learners to other programme areas, supervising a team and delivering to outstanding performance and success levels.

You will be able to demonstrate the ability for guiding and influencing change in response to national policy developments. You will also have the broad range of management skills required to effectively manage the range of resources in a complex organisational environment and deliver excellent value for money.

The successful candidate will have substantial experience of planning, managing and delivering a high quality Skills for Life/Foundation programmes, excellent organisational, presentation and IT skills as well as the ability to work to deadlines. In addition, there is an expectation that the successful candidate will plan and deliver effective New Start, Phoenix, T18 and NEETS provision.