NMITE Vacancy - Chief Academic Officer (CAO)

Welcome from James Newby, President & CEO

Thank you for your interest in the role of Chief Academic Officer at the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE).

NMITE is a UK breakthrough in university education. With no precursor organisation or parent institution, NMITE has independently built a pioneering educational experience from the ground up.

Set up in the beautiful county of Herefordshire and helping to drive the economic regeneration of a long-standing Higher Education “cold spot”, NMITE has come a long way since launching two years ago.

We responded with resilience to the early challenges of launching during a pandemic, securing registration as a new Higher Education provider and validation of our flagship Undergraduate Master’s Degree in Integrated Engineering. We have since grown, having created a specialised portfolio of courses and securing our own degree awarding powers - a clear endorsement of our academic quality and distinctiveness. We’ve created two state of- theart campuses in the city of Hereford and recruited dedicated academic staff and professional service specialists to run them.

Our first cohorts of students come from diverse backgrounds and they are already challenging the usual stereotypes of who makes a good engineer. We are providing new opportunities for a quality degree level education for local people, and we are attracting students from all across the country to study with us.

Our new Advanced Engineering Centres are bringing industry and academia together to translate new thinking and knowledge into usable applications. Our Centre for Advanced Timber Technology is achieving national prominence for its work, rapidly becoming the national centre for the development of new approaches in creating a more sustainable built environment for us all. Our second centre, the Centre for Automated Manufacturing, aims to be a host to new technologies and approaches, ensuring that the benefits of automation can be enjoyed by businesses of all sizes and in all sectors.

For the next stage of our journey, we are seeking an exceptional Chief Academic Officer to provide strategic leadership for the growth of our institution, and to act as the deputy to the President and Chief Executive. The postholder will lead and inspire NMITE’s academic team and ensure that quality, innovation and distinctiveness remain at the heart of everything we do. They’ll help secure the indefinite degree awarding powers which will enable us to build on our current academic portfolio, and they’ll develop further our two Advanced Engineering Centres into financially sustainable and nationally significant hubs.

This role offers a great opportunity for someone to really make their mark on Higher Education and to make a profound difference to the lives of hundreds of people. If you are excited about NMITE and our vision, then we would very much like you to hear from you.

James Newby President & CEO

Strategy for success

This year, we launched our ambitious five-year strategy, which outlines our five key strategic aims and where we’ll be in 2028 – all underpinned by our shared mission, vision and values.

Our Mission

To produce work-ready, world-conscious engineers and built environment professionals who are creative, responsible global citizens focused on the social, cultural, economic, and environmental issues affecting the 21st century.

Our Vision

To be a leader of change in education. Our breakthrough, interdisciplinary model of higher education will equip students with the diverse and

creative problem-solving skills needed in an everchanging world. We will deliver lasting impact, as we contribute to the civic life of the county, and our programmes will provide new opportunities for enhanced learning, career development and upskilling throughout the UK.

Discoverourstrategicplanandfiveaimsforthefutureat: nmite.ac.uk/NMITE-strategic-plan-2023-2028

The role

Job Title Chief Academic Officer (CAO)

Responsible to President & Chief Executive Officer

Job Purpose:

The CAO will play a crucial role in the ongoing growth of the institution by leading the strategic development of its academic portfolio, ensuring it remains distinctive and innovative.

The CAO will be expected to embody the philosophy and values of NMITE in all aspects of their work and act as a role model and ambassador for our ground-breaking approach to higher education for engineers and those in cognate disciplines. They will champion inclusivity and new ways of working, to develop and improve the services offered to our learners and staff, with particular emphasis on cross-collaboration, collegiality, and multifunctional teamwork. They will act as a role model for our students. A ‘can do’ attitude is essential.

The CAO will champion innovation in learning and education from a strategic standpoint throughout the organisation. They will support the CEO by delivering against the strategic plan:

Academic distinctiveness and quality

The role holder will ensure that the operational delivery of the current programme portfolio provides the best possible learning and student experience and meets the highest QA standards. NMITE, as a new provider, must maintain the distinctiveness of its pedagogy and must measure its progress with rigour and honesty. The post holder will be expected to implement systems and arrangements to ensure that programmes are continually improved and that NMITE’s core philosophy is retained as they develop. The role holder, as the institution’s key academic leader, will be responsible for:

» Ensuring that NMITE’s new programmes secure engineering accreditation at the first opportunity (following the graduation of the first cohort of students).

» Creating the conditions, and managing the project, to secure indefinite degree awarding powers as a progression from the current New Degree Awarding Powers status enjoyed by the institution.

» “Story telling” – explaining coherently the reasons for NMITE’s approach, its aims, and the benefits to both students, professional and statutory bodies, and to wider society.

» Adhering to NMITE’s “co-designed with students” philosophy, engaging with students and their elected representatives constantly.

» Leading and enabling the conduct of research into pedagogical approaches so that NMITE’s distinctive academic offering gains credibility and acceptance in the wider HE sector and, more importantly, amongst employers and partners.

» Building and leading the team to develop new programmes which adhere to NMITE’s distinctive philosophy, but which drive the expansion and diversification of the portfolio. In driving this priority, the post holder will need to balance the need for new approaches and diversification with the requirement to demonstrate programme and portfolio coherence.

» Work in partnership across NMITE teams, developing appropriate, innovative, and robust academic quality assurance standards.

» Be responsible for developing the connectivity between NMITE and national bodies involved in higher education, such as the OfS, Quality Assurance Agency and Advance HE. They will be expected to maintain a watching brief on sectorwide developments in quality assurance and quality enhancement in engineering and technical entrepreneurial education, and to ensure NMITE is represented in relevant national fora.

» A key development for NMITE will be the introduction of Degree level Apprenticeships. The post holder will lead this work by developing an appropriate programme, the necessary partnerships, and the required regulatory compliance.

» The post holder will provide inspirational leadership to the academic team, inspiring them to high standards of scholarship, external engagement, improvements to the student experience and to visibly contributing to the progress of the wider institution.

Inclusive cohorts and successful students

The post holder will be responsible for overseeing NMITE’s social mobility mission. Taking line responsibility for the institution’s access and participation plan and for the wider mission to ensure that our programmes are accessible to people from more diverse backgrounds and from groups who might be, or feel, excluded from traditional educational routes. Ensuring that a more diverse body of students can succeed and thrive despite the inevitable challenges that will arise is an important part of the role.

As NMITE remains at an early stage of its development, separating the access and participation schools’ outreach work from the student recruitment activity in schools is not fully possible, so the post holder will need to work closely and collaboratively with the Marketing and Student Recruitment teams to help coordinate this work.

The post holder will line manage the teams responsible for the provision of pastoral care and support for students. This function will need to “scale up” as the institution grows and work with partners to ensure that all students can access and progress on their courses and then achieve success after graduation. This will require strategic vision and oversight and considerable operational agility given expected resource constraints.

Partnering for Impact

This role is highly externally facing, and the post holder will be credible and professional when dealing with external partners and highly effective at meeting operational deadlines – they will be responsible for ensuring that promises to deliver things, are kept.

The post holder will work with local stakeholders, which includes SME owners and managers, to develop NMITE’s two current Advanced Centres with their involvement. These centres will add demonstrable value to partners by transferring and applying knowledge, providing expert consultancy, and creating award and non-award bearing courses to upskill their workforce.

NMITE’s entire philosophy involves the close integration of industrial and employer partners, so the role holder will be expected to help build the institution’s reputation as a partner who delivers and who adds clear value.

Operational and financial sustainability

NMITE is a new institution which is funded by a combination of tuition fee income, fundraising and commercial activities. Whilst its academic mission will always be its primary objective, it must operate costconsciously and must leverage its academic expertise to generate the commercial income needed to ensure

it remains financially sustainable.

The post holder, as a key member of the Institutional leadership team and the deputy to the President and Chief Executive, will be expected to take an institutional view of the organisation’s finances, working with professional services colleagues to manage resources and support initiatives which generate fresh income where possible. Whilst the post holder will be expected to advocate for the academic team and ensure that they are resourced adequately to succeed, they will need to balance this with their enterprise level responsibility to the financial sustainability of the wider organisation. NMITE seeks to avoid the formation of resourcing “silos” and competition for resources between internal teams. Its leaders are expected to collaborate and manage resources in the interests of the institution as a whole.

Skills for the future of work

The post holder will play a key role in the co-ordinated regional initiatives to upskill the local workforce and to provide skills training to equip employees for future jobs. This will include the development of professional training courses and close liaison with the professional services teams to ensure high rates of take up.

The embedding of future skills in the curriculum is also important and the post holder will be, and keep themselves, up to date on the topic of future skills, leading NMITE’s contribution to the debate and helping NMITE set the agenda. This area of work will involve close collaboration with FE colleges, local authorities, training providers and employers.

NMITE Values

The post holder will demonstrate a commitment to the institution’s values, but the following characteristics are of particular importance:

» An ability to inspire and enthuse the academic team, generating high levels of commitment and a culture of high expectations. The role will be crucial to the institution’s aim of creating a community of scholars and learners.

» A “one team” individual, comfortable interacting with professional services colleagues and external partners constructively and collaboratively.

» Always adopts an “enterprise level” view, mindful of the impact of their actions and decisions on the wider enterprise and always works to avoid the formation of organisational silos.

» Respectful and collegiate. Even in challenging times, leads by example and treats every colleague with respect and courtesy.

General Responsibilites & Duties:

» Champion the NMITE brand and foster a culture of innovation, growth, shared responsibility, and individual accountability always putting provision of a “First class” student experience in primary focus.

» Be a pro-active, effective, and supportive team member and leader, acting as a strategic partner to the CEO and a thought leader, ensuring NMITE always contributes to the debate about engineering education and, where possible, sets the agenda.

» Maintain a cost-conscious and efficient approach when undertaking all aspects of the role, in order to manage resources effectively, optimise performance and contribute to the future success of NMITE. Leading the team with a commercial mindset.

» Facilitate sophisticated knowledge transfer between institutions, industry partners, and other organisations.

» Comply with national legislation, NMITE policy and best practice within the sector.

» Contribute to and lead a safe and healthy learning and work environment, ensuring awareness of individual responsibilities and compliance with Health and Safety, Prevent and Safeguarding policies and procedures at all times.

» Participate in objective / target setting and reviews, appraisal of your own performance to inform personal development aligned to the role and

progression and remuneration decisions.

» Promote equality of opportunity and diversity for students and colleagues ensuring an inclusive and supportive learning and work environment.

» Demonstrate flexibility and undertake any other duties for which the post holder has the necessary experience and / or training, when required.

» Overall responsibility for Admissions, Outreach, Quality Assurance and Student Support.

» Chair certain committees involving internal and external stakeholders.

» Accountable Officer for HESA, OIA, Marches LEP HE Board.

» Build new international academic partnerships and lead the teams responsible for developing a welcoming and nurturing environment for international students.

» Facilitate a culture of exceptional performance standards and continuous improvement and ensure NMITE constantly aspires to be agile in all it does.

» Oversee the development and updating of educational programmes for:

» Undergraduate

» Degree Apprenticeships

» Postgraduate

» CPD

Thisjobdescriptionisintendedasageneralguidetothedutiesattachedtothepost.Itmaythereforebealtered fromtimetotime,inconsultationwiththeroleholder,toreflectthechangingneedsoftheorganisation.

Person Specification:

Criteria

Qualifications

Either a Ph.D. in a relevant discipline or demonstrable similar experience in independent thought and leadership

Recognised teaching professional qualification

Achievement of Professorship

Senior or Principal Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy

Essential/Desirable

Essential

Essential

Desirable

Desirable

Evidence of sustained and continuous professional development Essential Experience & Knowledge

Experienced senior-level practitioner with a significant background in programme development, enhancement, and quality assurance on the UK higher education sector

Experience of building industrial/employer collaborations and partnerships in one or more of the following areas: knowledge transfer, research, professional development training, commercial ventures.

Strong strategic understanding and knowledge of the UK higher education sector and issues relating to academic and student administration (including student recruitment and admissions; student support and welfare, etc)

Essential

Desirable

Substantial professional experience with a national reputation demonstrating achievement as a practitioner of engineering education Essential

Proven experience of successful senior-level leadership and management

Leadership in or recognition for creating, developing, and employing novel pedagogies and/or learning experiences. Desirable

Evidence of a track record of providing strategic and visionary direction in the development of strategies related to an expanding portfolio.

Experience of leading access and participation initiatives to support diversity within the student body

Strong strategic understanding of the importance of knowledge transfer and industrial partnership and its application within academia and industry

Desirable

Essential

Experience exercising national or international influence through contributions to field Desirable

NMITE - Chief Academic Officer | Candidate Brief, July 2023

Job Related Skills & Abilities

Proven ability to provide strong and inspiring leadership and act as an effective member of a team, with the ability to effectively engage others beyond the confines of departmental boundaries

Essential

Ability to think and lead with commercial acumen Essential

Ability to negotiate and influence others within Higher Education and industry

Ability to work under pressure, manage competing demands and meet challenging deadlines within a fast-paced environment Essential

Ability to lead, develop and manage both academic and professional services staff, with proven track record of managing complex projects and engaging staff and stakeholders through this process

Demonstrate highly developed interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to influence, collaborate and interact effectively with a range of stakeholders including staff (at all levels), students and other stakeholders

A positive energy capable of uniting diverse stakeholders to deliver common goals and a creative and innovative approach to problemsolving

Essential

Essential

Ability to cultivate strong networks and build links with the wider community and with business, industry and other stakeholders and represent the University nationally and internationally

Values and Behaviours

Ability to demonstrate Grit & Determination in a robust and everchanging environment

Experience of leading within an Inclusive environment, in which you have worked as one team, and treated everyone equally

Demonstrable experience of actively testing Creativity & Learning, by broadening the boundaries of existing practice, and aimed for distinctiveness

Demonstrating Curiosity, by being open to more outside influences. Using external information to inform your work and not acting in isolation from the sector and the outside world

Essential

A high level of Honesty and integrity with a personal style that inspires trust and confidence Essential

Enthusiastic and self-motivated with the ability to only focus on work that is Aligned with the organisational needs Essential

How to apply

Please email your description of why you are a good fit for the role in the form of a cover letter, or a video of up to 4 minutes and a full CV to vacancies@nmite.ac.uk.

Informal questions about the role can be addressed to: Director of People & Operations, Samantha Lewis (samantha.lewis@nmite.ac.uk)

NMITE is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community – a place where we can be ourselves and succeed on merit. Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented in engineering education. Part time proposals and secondment arrangements may also be considered.

The closing date for completed applications is Monday 21st August 2023.

NMITE - Chief Academic Officer | Candidate Brief, July 2023

NMITE – Chief Academic Officer: Candidate Brief, July 2023