Head of Department – Construction Crafts C£40,000

Head of Department – Construction Crafts based in Portsmouth. Our client, a Further Education College, is looking to recruit a Head of Department to manage and lead the Construction Crafts Department in line with the College vision and mission.

About the College

Over 45 years Highbury College has become one of the most dynamic College’s in the South East, with an ambitious and challenging vision to deliver world-class education and training. It has undergone extensive redevelopment and the new Highbury campus, opened August 2009, provides some of the most modern learning facilities in Europe. The Highbury Northarbour centre is our state of the art construction school with world class vocational facilities.

Description of duties

Reporting to the Head of Centre, main duties and responsibilities:

• To lead the Construction Crafts Department, to promote high levels of staff motivation and morale and to be responsible for creating an appropriate departmental identity which promotes excellence in line with the College’s vision, mission, strategic priorities and objectives.
• To be responsible for managing the student experience in the Department in order to ensure student success.
• To support the Head of Centre, Highbury Northarbour Centre in developing the College's curriculum provision.
• To take responsibility for the day to day management of the Department's programmes of activity ensuring a high quality, distinctive and relevant curriculum is delivered effectively and efficiently within the College’s financial and other parameters.
• To manage the staffing, accommodation and equipment allocated to the Department

Experience / Qualifications

It is essential that candidates will possess the following:

• A degree and/or equivalent, relevant professional qualification.
• Recognised teaching qualification.
• Recent evidence of relevant continuing professional development activities.
• Effective leadership, management and support of staff including the Performance Review, discipline and grievance issues.
• A clear track record of improving student enrolment, retention and achievement.
• Experience of leading a team and working as a member of a team.

Candidates will need the following Skills, Knowledge and Competencies:

• Knowledge and understanding of recent curriculum and accreditation developments in the area.
• Able to demonstrate excellence in delivery of teaching and / or training.
• Able to respond to and enable curriculum innovation and customise provision to meet the needs of employers and their staff.
• Ability to produce Self-Assessment Reports and Quality Improvement Plans
• Ability to work under pressure and in a changing environment with external bodies, employers, customers, and parents.
• Able to adopt a strategic approach
• Effective interpersonal skills
• Self motivated, innovative and demonstrating enthusiasm and drive

It is desirable for candidates to possess the following:

• Postgraduate qualification.
• A Level 3 qualification in a construction crafts discipline.
• A1 and V1 qualifications
• Experience of managing On-Site Assessment and Training (OSAT) provision
• Experience of producing Departmental Plans
• Experience of managing employer engagement at departmental level
• Membership of a relevant professional body.
• Teaching / Training experience in Construction Crafts.
• Experience of managing, developing and delivering a range of Construction Crafts related provision at different levels.
• Record of successfully generating income and contribution through meeting industrial and commercial needs.

Start date: May 2010

Hours: Full Time

Application close date: 08/04/10
Interview date: 20/04/10 Panel interview: 06/05/10