Learning and Teaching Manager (

Job Number:

24002009)

Department of History

Grade 7: – £37,999 – £45,163 per annum

Open-Ended/Permanent – Full Time

Contracted Hours per Week: 35

Closing Date

: 24-Nov-2024, 11:59:00 PM

Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable. 

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.

We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally. 

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. 

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here. 

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? – Durham University

The Role and Department

The Learning and Teaching Manager will work towards enhancing the quality of existing programmes, contributing towards reviews and evaluation for the purposes of continual improvement. They will work with colleagues to inform planning and developments in line with strategy and mission statements, implementing new programmes and initiatives.

The Learning and Teaching Manager will manage a team of professional service staff, ensuring the provision of an efficient administrative service, supporting a wide range of teaching, learning and assessment activities from the point of student enrolment through to graduation, ensuring the student experience is at the forefront of delivery.

You will project manage the academic year in collaboration with key post holders, including the Director of Education, the Chair of the Board of Examiners and the Department Manager; planning and delivering specific department learning and teaching strategies and service areas. This will include project coordination and management of areas including curriculum development, student induction, assessments, and managing student records. A key part will be undertaking the role of Secretary to the Board of Examiners, where you will manage the annual examinations process, coordinating a complex yearly program which commences in October with supporting academic colleagues to write, review and finalise papers, and finishes the following September on completion of the resit period.

You will manage and develop a team of learning and teaching professional services staff, working together to provide a high-quality administrative environment, enhancing the experience of academic colleagues and students throughout the academic cycle.

The Department of History at Durham has established itself firmly as one of the top History departments in the UK. Staff and students are part of a vibrant learning community, set within the magnificent location of Durham’s World Heritage Site. Our research and teaching extends from late antiquity and the Middle Ages to contemporary history; from the British Isles and continental Europe (including Russia) to the USA, Africa, South and East Asia; and across social, cultural, gender, visual, scientific, environmental, political and economic history. In the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2022, Arts & Humanities subjects at Durham were ranked 26th.

The History Department is an excellent and rewarding place to work. Our Professional Support colleagues are based in a dedicated hub at 43 North Bailey; well equipped with personal desk space in an open-plan office, plus dedicated breakout space for meetings. Hybrid working opportunities are encouraged, with the possibility of working up to two days out of five (Monday to Friday) from home.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

Working at Durham 

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits: 

• 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.
• The University closes between Christmas and New Year
• We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
• A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification 

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered. 

Your application should cover the following criteria:

Hiring manager – The criteria is scored by the Reward Team when they are checking the grade for each role. Please consider adding context to the criteria and add/delete as appropriate but please highlight any changes in a new colour. The criteria should allow you to shortlist people who have the skills and experience to undertake this particular vacancy, without being so specific that they limit the field of applicable applicants. If any of the criteria are of particular importance, you can weight them during the scoring process but you must put an asterisk next to them so the candidates know they are weighted eg an Assistant Director of Finance may need expertise in particular areas/systems. The qualifications and IT skills can be changed to be relevant for the role. You can choose to add desirable criteria.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience

1. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).

2. Professional practitioner with knowledge and expertise in the delivery and development of learning and teaching practices. 

3. * Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting change and service improvements. 

4. Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.

5. Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and positively influence the University’s reputation.

6. * Experience of managing and developing a team or teams and/or line management qualification. 

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

7. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.

8. * Excellent organisational skills, combined with the ability to work effectively under pressure.

9. * Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including (for example) communication tools, Microsoft365 applications, Banner and Learn Ultra.

10. Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.

11. Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.

12. * Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.

Desirable Criteria

13. Experience of working in a higher education environment.

How to Apply 

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. Please don’t forget to pay special attention to the weighted criteria (see above).

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview. 

Submitting your application 

We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

What you need to submit 

• A CV
• A covering letter (maximum 1 page A4)
• A Word document with examples of how you satisfy the Person Specification/Essential and Desirable Criteria (above). Please ensure you give relevant examples of how you meet these thirteen criteria (maximum 250 words per criterion)

Interviews to be held on 12th and 13th December

Contact details 

If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, John Thompson (Department Manager) would be happy to speak to you. Please drop a line to j.p.thompson@durham.ac.uk to arrange a convenient time.

Typical Role Requirements

Service Delivery/Development

• Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.
• Review and look for ways to improve systems and procedures that are relevant to your area of work in line with the University’s frameworks and Regulations.
• Contribute to strategic projects and initiatives, working with colleagues to inform planning and developments in line with the department strategy and mission statement.
• Manage specific projects to develop and enhance teaching and learning activities.
• Provide management for all aspects of programme delivery and/or processes ensuring a high quality and timely service to all stakeholders, including prospective, existing and past students and staff, ensuring that robust and secure systems are in place to ensure programme delivery to the highest standards, whilst meeting appropriate deadlines.
• Lead and work with your team to identify areas for improvement across learning and teaching service delivery and help improve student engagement.

Planning and Organisation

• Manage the delivery of operational activities carried out by the learning and teaching team, which you are responsible for.
• Contribute to progressing the strategic and operational priorities of the Department.

Team Development

• Manage and monitor the performance, workload and expected outcomes of the learning and teaching team] and take action to respond anything that impacts on the service level provided.
• Ensure that your team can deliver the required services by devolving and delegating responsibilities to appropriate team members.
• Carry out regular performance reviews to provide feedback on objectives and expectations and identify any development needs.
• Ensure that your team continues to develop by coaching and mentoring team members and delivering any training needs.
• Support the welfare and wellbeing of your team referring more complex issues to specialist services.

Communication/Liaison

• Provide advice and share guidance with your stakeholders to ensure that the University’s policies, procedures and regulations are complied with.
• Use your operational expertise to participate in business meetings, working groups and sub-committees.
• Coordinate and oversee committees and other business meetings and deal with any related complaints.
• Update policies and procedures in response to any internal or external changes.
• Create positive working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills and those of others.
• Any other reasonable duties.

Useful links

If you would like further information about the department, please visit www.dur.ac.uk/departments/academic/history/ 

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices – Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data. 

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

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