head of programme: architecture - rca.ac.uk · programme: architecture responsibilities reporting...

Head of Programme:

Architecture

Royal College of Art VEREDUS

Contents Page

THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART 3

JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION 4 - 9

RELATIONSHIP MAP 10

TERMS AND CONDITIONS 11

APPOINTMENT PROCESS AND HOW TO APPLY 11 - 12


THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART

The Royal College of Art is the only entirely postgraduate institution of university status devoted to research and knowledge exchange, teaching and practice in art, design, communication and humanities. The College has some 1,380 students (growing to 1,580) registered for MA, MPhil and PhD degrees and there are 416 permanent academic, technical and administrative staff, with more than 800 visiting lecturers and professors.

The College is located on two sites in Central London, in South Kensington and Battersea. The main campus in South Kensington includes among its neighbours Imperial College London, the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Royal College of Music, the Natural History Museum and the National Museum of Science and Industry. The Battersea Campus is expanding rapidly with the opening of the Dyson building in 2012, which hosts the School of Fine Art, as well as InnovationRCA, the knowledge exchange and commercialisation centre of the RCA. Battersea will expand further in autumn 2015 with the opening of the Woo building which will host two of the four programmes of the School of Material – Ceramics & Glass, and Jewellery & Metal – in purpose designed new studios and workshops.

The College has an august history in art and design education, numerous eminent graduates and a remarkable record of graduate employment. The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) recognises the small, specialist institution status of the College through its ‘exceptional funding’ stream. Its excellence in teaching and research has been acknowledged in government reviews and in the Research Assessment Exercise 2008 (RAE2008), in which the RCA gained more 4* ratings than any other art and design university in the UK. Significant investment in research and knowledge exchange since RAE2008 has seen the RCA enhance its submission to the Research Excellence Framework 2014 (REF2014) and develop a strategic research-led focus.


JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION

THE SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTuRE The School of Architecture offers two programmes that engage with design on multiple levels, with a strong culture of innovation, experimentation and debate. The two-year MA Architecture programme is located in the Darwin Building at the South Kensington campus, with research degrees at MPhil and PhD level that range across the theoretical and practice-led, and which explore the boundaries of knowledge in the discipline and beyond. It is intended that the programme will develop closer links with other programmes in the School and across the College, and will seek to expand the intellectual and interdisciplinary bases for architecture in the 21st Century.

The programme has high application rates from outstanding candidates worldwide, and it is expected that the new head of programme will be able to attract the highest quality applicants while contributing to planned growth in the School of Architecture. The head of programme will also ensure that the programme is identified for its growth and success in research and knowledge exchange, and in executive education, both in terms of staff successes and research degree supervisory completions. In addition to this the role will entail securing competitive external funding, within the College’s strategic plan of commitment to growth in research and research degrees.

The programme is underpinned by a committed staff of active practitioners and researchers, involved in Architecture, and is run on an ‘architecture design studio’ model by a highly experienced and skilled academic team, supported by visiting tutors of a very high calibre, and a visiting team of technical experts.

THE ROLE OF HEAD OF PROGRAMME: ARCHITECTuRE RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the dean and also working closely with colleagues in the School of Architecture, particularly the heads of programme for Interior Design, (in future) Landscape Design, and the School of Architecture research professor, the head of programme will provide academic leadership, and will take responsibility for academic direction, teaching and learning, research, and management of the resources of the programme and staff, in liaison with the dean.

The head of programme will take the lead on developing the academic philosophy and vision for the programme, closely aligning it with the mission and strategic plan of the College, and continuing to develop and refresh it.

The head of programme will build upon the significant reputation and achievements of the programme, ensuring it grows in stature and international profile, and forges successful creative and academic links with other programmes within and beyond the College.


CONTEXT The head of programme will be informed about current issues and developments in higher education, and will be up to date with current education practice and research nationally and internationally.

S/he will ensure that the programme is informed by global and local change and by issues relevant to the built environment, by the changing nature of professional architecture practice, by the context of climate change, sustainability and the construction industry, and the wider socio-political environment. It is expected that knowledge of these influences, and the critical position the head of programme takes in relation to them will contribute to academic innovation. REPRESENTATION

In addition to promoting the work of the programme both nationally and internationally, the head of programme will communicate and represent the interests of the programme within the School and College as a whole, and facilitate the possibilities for collaboration and to further links with other schools.

The head of programme will also work across the RCA contributing to planning, management, development and communication at institutional level through participation in College committees. S/he will be responsible for staffing, financial management, curriculum, and quality assurance and enhancement.

Fundraising, through earned external income and discretionary income is a key part of the role. The head of programme, working with the development and alumni relations office, will be required to generate external funding for the programme, faculty research and knowledge exchange, and for bursaries and scholarships for both MA and research students.

Critical to success in the role is leading recruitment in line with College targets set annually by Senate.The ability to direct the MA Programme, and MPhil and PhD research degrees, and make an individual contribution to the academic work of the programme based on personal expertise, particularly through teaching, supporting learning and supervising research.

The head of programme is expected to balance their range of responsibilities between teaching, research and knowledge exchange, management and external relations.

The head of programme is expected to provide leadership across this range of responsibilities, adjusting the balance within the academic cycles and College and School priorities.

Across the following areas of focus and delivery the head of programme is expected to:

RECRuITMENT

• undertake effective recruitment, ensuring that sufficient offers to study are made to high quality candidates at MA and MPhil/PhD level, to achieve College recruitment targets set annually by Senate;

• ensure an appropriate balance is achieved in the recruitment of home, European Union and international students, at both master’s and research degree level, in alignment with College targets;

• undertake and support the dean in any appropriate recruitment activities that may be required, in line with the College strategic plan and recruitment strategy.


TEACHING AND LEARNING

• ensure that appropriate learning, teaching and assessment strategies, curriculum content and organisation are employed for the programme of study and are communicated effectively to students;

• propose and initiate developments that improve the effectiveness of learning, teaching and assessment, and which maintain the currency of the curriculum, and are introduced in a timely fashion with appropriate consultation and scrutiny;

• encourage innovation in content and delivery, and support pedagogical innovation in line with developments in higher education. RESEARCH AND KNOwLEDGE EXCHANGE

• contribute to and ensure delivery of research plans and objectives agreed with the dean and in liaison with the RCA research and knowledge exchange office and in line with the College strategic plan;

• ensure that research and knowledge exchange projects undertaken by staff are aligned with College strategic objectives, at a volume and level of quality to contribute to future REF exercises and external funding targets;

• articulate links between research, knowledge exchange and teaching and learning to ensure that the curriculum reflects these and student experience benefits;

• working with the research and knowledge exchange office, and in liaison with the dean, identify routes from research and knowledge exchange to the development of executive education opportunities;

• actively engage in and support staff in competitive external research grant applications to Research Councils UK, charities, industry and relevant funding bodies, as a contribution to the School of Architecture’s research income target;

• identify appropriate external partners for collaboration in research and knowledge exchange and develop and submit joint or multi-partner funding applications;

• actively undertake research, and ensure eligibility for submission to future research audits at 3*/4* levels (REF2014 quality levels). MANAGEMENT OF STAFF

• be responsible, in consultation with the dean (and for senior appointments, the pro-rector (academic)), for the recruitment of staff in the programme; manage and appraise their performance at least annually enabling staff to become more effective in their roles through personal and professional development and in research performance;

• manage staff activities efficiently, effectively and proactively to ensure appropriate balance of staff activity in teaching, research, scholarship, knowledge exchange, executive education, quality enhancement and development;

• ensure that staff undertake appropriate professional development to ensure currency, continuous improvement and attainment of recognised qualifications in learning and teaching and in research supervision; to plan effectively to ensure capacity is able to meet demand in this area;

• delegate responsibility for these activities where appropriate (and permitted by College regulations) and monitor the effectiveness of such arrangements.


RESOuRCE MANAGEMENT

• liaise with Information Learning and Technical Resources (ILTS) over workshop, IT and library and learning resources provision, planning and maintenance and work with the ICT and technical services coordinators and the technical services manager (and where appropriate, head of technical services and head of ICT) to ensure effective and efficient matching of workshop and digital facilities to MA, MPhil and PhD and staff research requirements;

• liaise with the dean and technical services manager in the effective programming of access to technical resources and workshops and the timetabling of inductions, demonstrations and projects;

• manage and monitor the use of facilities and the deployment of available resources to the benefit of students in line with the established policy and strategy of the school leadership team;

• ensure that annual and other cycles of resource planning and space allocation are conducted in a timely and proactive fashion, particularly in support of student recruitment;

• ensure that facilities and resources are used by staff and students in accordance with appropriate regard for health and safety and in accordance with relevant regulations. STuDENT PROGRESS AND wELFARE

• implement College systems for enabling, supporting and monitoring students’ academic progress and personal welfare and ensure students are directed to them as needed;

• establish systems which ensure effective feedback from students on the quality of their learning or research experience and ensure this feedback is integrated into quality enhancement plans.

EXAMINATIONS

• participate in student assessments, chair admissions and examinations boards (or delegate to senior tutor as appropriate) and ensure that there is compliance with the College regulations for the constitution and conduct of admissions and examinations boards;

• provide all results and records required by the College in a timely manner and attend meetings as required by the College to report and discuss the outcomes of examinations. QuALITY ASSuRANCE AND ENHANCEMENT

• ensure the programme’s alignment with the College’s systems for academic quality and standards assurance (for example in the preparation of programme annual review documents, appointment of external examiners and internal moderators and leading preparation for and participation in periodic validation events);

• support proactive engagement, including that of students and staff, with enhancement of student learning opportunities and the student experience;

• attend as an observer and where appropriate become a member of College committees responsible for learning and teaching, admissions, progression, examination and academic standards.


INFORMATION AND DOCuMENTATION

• ensure the accuracy, reliability and consistency of any printed or electronically published information about the programme and its activities intended for the students, staff or public, including annual reviews, prospectus entries, staff profiles, research reports.

INTERNAL LIAISON AND COMMuNICATION

• liaise with other staff within the School and the College for the purpose of sharing good practice and promoting interdisciplinary activity for the benefit of students.

• ensure the dissemination of information about the programme within the College and ensure the dissemination of information from School and College sources within the programme. EXTERNAL LIAISON AND COLLABORATION

• lead the programme’s external relations in alignment with the College’s strategies for recruitment, internationalisation, marketing, research and knowledge exchange; maintaining and developing contacts and collaboration with other institutions, public bodies, funding organisations, commerce and industry to the benefit of the programme and its students;

• review regularly, and at minimum on an annual basis, the effectiveness of any formal collaborations with other institutions or external partners, and ensuring satisfaction of all partners, and to liaise with the dean and pro-rectors as appropriate.

• refer draft agreements for international student exchanges, or faculty exchanges/residencies, to the pro-rector (academic) for approval.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONThe RCA is seeking a recognised leader in the field of architecture with an international reputation supported by a portfolio of design work, exhibitions, academic research and publications.

The successful candidate will be critically informed and ambitious for the work of the College in developing the architecture programme and graduates internationally and will also understand the changing nature of higher education in an international and UK context.

They will have an energy and enthusiasm for the student experience and be able to work well across teams within the RCA and the School of Architecture.

The new head of programme will have the ability to provide energetic leadership and professional vision in a demanding academic environment.

It is expected that the candidate will have a combination of skills and experience acquired in both academic and professional contexts, which provide the competence to fulfil the managerial, teaching and research aspects of the role.

It is expected that the appointed candidate will be eligible to apply for consideration for the title of reader or professor, which may be awarded on successful completion of probation under the College’s annual readership and professorial appointment process.


THE HEAD OF PROGRAMME SHOuLD BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE:

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

• a degree and higher degree in a relevant design discipline;

• significant contribution to the academic discipline and/or practice of architecture;

• proven record of research excellence, impact and commitment to, through built projects, publications or equivalent, the advancement of learning and/or the application of knowledge in his or her specialised discipline;

• demonstrable portfolio of successfully completed architecture/design projects;

• proven track record of industrial collaborations and/or proven track record of leadership in architecture/design consultancy;

• knowledge of international architecture; historical and contemporary;

• experience of teaching in higher education;

• experience of academic and financial management;

• experience of one or more of the following: fund raising/sponsorship/successful grant applications;

• experience of staff management;

• IT literacy;

• commitment to equal opportunities.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

• membership of a relevant professional body;

• experience of programme management, quality assurance and enhancement frameworks in higher education and possession of a recognised qualification in learning and teaching in higher education;

• experience of doctoral supervision including one of: possession of a research degree; research degree supervision to successful completion; successful completion of a recognised research degree supervision qualification;

• a successful track record of securing competitive research grant income and/or industrial sponsorship and funding;

• entrepreneurial/promotional skills to augment the School’s public profile through exhibitions/ events.


RELATIONSHIP MAPSchool Structure

Dean

Heads of Programme

Senior Tutors&

Tutors

School Administrator

Administrators


TERMS AND CONDITIONS LOCATION OF EMPLOYMENT Kensington, London

SALARY Full-time equivalent salary dependent upon level of appointment: from £59,066 per annum inclusive of London Allowance (pro rata for part-time). Time to conduct research may be allocated to the person appointed within the contract and salary agreed.

Such an allocation is dependent on the research profile of the applicant, the proposed research activity and the planned outcomes of the research and proposed or actual externally funded research activity. Any allocation of time for research is subject to review.

The post is full-time or through negotiation 80%.

The appointment is permanent subject to a one year probationary period. A contributory defined benefits pension scheme and interest free season ticket loan are available.

HOLIDAY ENTITLEMENT

Members of the academic staff are entitled to 30 days annual leave (pro rata for part-time employees) plus extended breaks at Christmas and Easter. PROFESSORSHIPS AND READERSHIPS

The College awards professorships or readership to academic staff based on published criteria through an annual application process. Any award is subject to successful completion of the probationary period, which is normally one year from first appointment.

TEACHING QuALIFICATIONS The College requires newly appointed heads of programme who are not in possession of a recognised qualification in learning and teaching in higher education to obtain an appropriate qualification in learning and teaching or research degree supervision. APPOINTMENT PROCESS AND HOw TO APPLY APPOINTMENT PROCESS The appointment of head of programme: archtecture is through a selection panel chaired by the pro rector (academic). An executive search exercise is being undertaken by Veredus in parallel with the public advertisement of the post. Veredus will assist the selection panel in the discharge of its duties, both to assist in the assessment of candidates against the requirements of the role and to identify the widest possible field of candidates.

A shortlist will be selected in late January 2015, and the selection panel will invite shortlisted candidates to attend formal interviews in February 2015. Final appointment is subject to receipt of references satisfactory to the College. It is expected that the new head of programme will be able to take up the post within the 2014/15 academic year.


HOw TO APPLY

Applications should consist of a full academic CV and a covering letter with narrative text describing the nature and achievements in your research, and wider leadership or managerial responsibilities held and achievements therein.

You should also provide the names, positions, organisations and telephone contact numbers of two referees.

Veredus may need to take two verbal telephone references for shortlisted candidates, but please note that we will not approach any of your referees without obtaining your prior consent.

Please ensure that you have included mobile, work and home telephone numbers on your CV, as well as any dates when you will not be available or might have difficulty with the indicative timetable.

The deadline for applications for this post is Monday 19 January 2015 and you should email your application to [email protected] quoting reference 925603.

You are invited and encouraged to complete the Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form which can be found http://jotformpro.com/form/32674095029963.

Veredus is accredited by the Investors in Diversity and the information collected is important to us as a means to ensuring continued best practice in the promotion of diversity.

The information on this form is important and will be treated as confidential and used for statistical purposes only.

This form will not be treated as part of your application, and will not be seen by anyone involved in the selection process. ENQuIRIES

If you have any questions relating to the role or process please call Julia Roberts on 020 7932 4244 or Natasha Jackson on 020 7932 4240.

head of programme: architecture - rca.ac.uk · programme: architecture responsibilities reporting...

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