Academic Manager

Watney College; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Watney College in London seeks an experienced leader to oversee academic delivery, curriculum planning and programme development.

You will manage programme leaders and teaching staff, align with awarding bodies, and drive improvements in student outcomes. Strong knowledge of OfS framework, data analysis and external scrutiny is essential.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline or equivalent professional standing.
• Experience leading academic provision within UK higher education.
• Experience managing academic staff and improving teaching, assessment and student outcomes.
• Knowledge of academic standards, qualification frameworks and assessment practices.
• Experience developing or reviewing programmes and supporting external scrutiny.
• Understanding OfS regulatory framework and its implications for delivery.
• Ability to analyse student data and drive practical improvements.
• Strong leadership, communication and organisational skills.
• Commitment to academic integrity and inclusive teaching.
• Experience chairing academic committees or assessment boards.

Responsibilities

• Lead academic delivery, curriculum planning and programme development.
• Manage programme leaders and teaching staff, setting objectives and reviewing performance.
• Plan timetables, teaching allocations and resource requirements.
• Ensure programmes meet awarding-body specifications and UK higher education standards.
• Oversee assessment planning, marking, feedback, moderation and integrity.
• Monitor attendance, engagement, retention and progression; drive improvements.
• Coordinate teaching observations and staff development.
• Oversee academic support, including personal tutoring and adjustments.
• Lead preparations for new programme approvals and readiness checks.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance on reviews, external assessments and action plans.
• Support assessment boards and committees; ensure documented decisions.
• Maintain relationships with awarding bodies, academic partners and reviewers.
• Report performance and risks to the Principal.

Skills

Leadership

Curriculum planning

Programme development

Staff management

Assessment & data

OfS knowledge

External partners

Communication

Academic integrity

Education

Postgraduate qualification

Teaching qualification or Advance HE Fellowship

Job description

Location: 80-82 Nelson Street, London, E1 2DY

Work Type: Hybrid

Job Description

Responsibilities

• Lead academic delivery, curriculum planning and programme development.
• Manage programme leaders and teaching staff, setting objectives and reviewing performance.
• Plan timetables, teaching allocations and resource requirements.
• Ensure programmes meet awarding-body specifications and relevant UK higher education standards.
• Oversee assessment planning, marking, feedback, moderation and academic integrity.
• Monitor attendance, engagement, retention, achievement and progression, and lead improvement actions.
• Coordinate teaching observations, staff development and sharing of effective practice.
• Oversee academic support, including personal tutoring and reasonable adjustments.
• Lead academic preparations for new programme approvals and confirm readiness before delivery.
• Work with the Head of Quality Assurance on programme reviews, external assessments and action plans.
• Support assessment boards and academic committees, ensuring decisions are documented and followed through.
• Maintain working relationships with awarding bodies, academic partners and external reviewers.
• Report academic performance, staffing needs and delivery risks to the Principal.

Requirements

• A postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline, or equivalent professional standing.
• Experience leading academic provision within UK higher education.
• Experience managing academic staff and improving teaching, assessment and student outcomes.
• Sound knowledge of academic standards, qualification frameworks and assessment practices.
• Experience developing or reviewing programmes and supporting external academic scrutiny.
• Understanding of the OfS regulatory framework and its implications for academic delivery.
• Ability to analyse student data and feedback and turn findings into practical improvements.
• Strong leadership, communication and organisational skills.
• Commitment to academic integrity, inclusive teaching and fair treatment of students.
• A recognised teaching qualification or Advance HE Fellowship.
• Experience working with awarding bodies or university partners.
• Experience developing higher education provision within a growing institution.
• Experience chairing academic committees or assessment boards.