Interim Academic Director

Aasapuk; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Critical Illness cover

Life Assurance

Private Medical Insurance

Cashplan scheme

Pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Boston University Study Abroad London (BU LDN) seeks an Academic Director to oversee academic provision, governance, and curriculum for BU London programmes. You will lead faculty, coordinate with BU partners, and drive high-quality, rigorous study abroad experiences for students.

The role requires doctoral-level expertise, extensive leadership, and a track record in curriculum development, accreditation, and international collaborations.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree with extensive academic administration and teaching experience.
• Extensive line management and leadership experience in higher education.
• Proven senior-level leadership across a large multidisciplinary group.
• Ability to work with UK/US higher education systems and visa processes.
• Excellent organizational, written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in partnerships and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Oversight of all London programmes, ensuring high-quality academic provision and renewal of curriculum.
• Maintain compliance with academic policies and UK/US regulations where possible.
• Lead curriculum development initiatives and academic policy alignment.
• Line management of faculty and staff within the academic affairs department.
• Chair academic committees and represent BU LDN with external stakeholders.
• Recruitment, training, evaluations and management of faculty; coordinate with HR.

Skills

Doctoral degree

Academic leadership

Line management

Curriculum development

UK/US higher education knowledge

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Education

Doctoral degree in relevant field

Tools

Blackboard

Excel

Databases

Job description

Boston University Global Programmes – Study Abroad

Fixed term contract – 6 months

Director – London Programmes

Direct reports:

Associate Director for Academic Affairs, Faculty (~50 part-time), Academic Fellows

Benefits:

• Critical Illness cover
• Life Assurance
• Private Medical Insurance
• Cashplan scheme
• Pension scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme

Study Abroad, a division of Boston University Global Programmes, is responsible for developing and providing opportunities for undergraduate study around the world. BU Study Abroad offers students from Boston University and over 100 other colleges and universities 170+ programs in 30+ cities, and 20+ countries. Boston University was one of the first universities in the United States to send students abroad, and the first university to offer study abroad internship opportunities on several continents. The range of subjects covered includes Advertising and PR, Computer Science, Film, Radio, Journalism, Mathematics and Statistics and Psychology and Health Sciences.

Mission Statement

The mission of Boston University Study Abroad is to offer excellent, innovative, and diverse cross-cultural learning experiences for all students. Our study abroad programmes cultivate the intellectual, professional, and personal qualities necessary for success in an increasingly interconnected world.

Job Overview

The Academic Director has overall responsibility for the academic provision at Boston University Study Abroad London (BU LDN) programmes, including academic governance, curriculum, coordination, quality assurance and enhancement, programme evaluation, and planning of all academic programming throughout the academic year at BU LDN London. The Academic Director works closely with the site Director to ensure high quality academic and social programmes for all students.

The Academic Director is responsible for providing academic leadership and ensuring the delivery of student-centred, high-quality programmes, with innovative curricula, excellent teaching, and high-impact experiential learning opportunities that foster a rigorous, engaging, and supportive environment for all BU LDN students.

The Academic Director has oversight for all BU LDN faculty and staff in Academic Affairs and is responsible for recruiting high-quality faculty and staff.

The Academic Director is responsible for the monitoring of student outcomes and success during their London semester, ensuring that all students are appropriately supported in their academic journey.

The Academic Director has a key role working closely with the various stakeholders which form part of BUSA LDN – including senior colleagues in BU Global Programs/Study Abroad, BU Colleges/Schools/Departments, and EUSA, including to ensure alignment with BU academic policies and practices. The Academic Director is also the key contact with new and existing partners of BU LDN.

The normal working pattern is four days per week in the office with one working from home.

Primary purpose of job

Academic:

• Oversight of all London programmes, working in close collaboration with the Boston-based Associate Director, Academic Affairs, to ensure high-quality academic provision for all London programmes, including renewal and revision of the curriculum and teaching excellence and innovation. Responsible for keeping BUSA updated on all academic issues related to student progress, assessment, course appropriateness and development; the academic integrity of the programme, completion of course and faculty evaluations; and the academic success of BU London students.
• Responsible for the academic governance and quality assurance, including being responsible for maintaining compliance with academic policies and procedures, that align where possible with Boston University or UK specific regulations, such as UKVI, and institutional and programmatic assessment processes.
• Responsible for leading on curriculum development initiatives, such BU Hub Reviews, and Global Program course reviews; the curriculum development of new courses and programmes at BU London; and ensuring that programmes and course are academically rigorous, desirable, and attractive to study abroad students.
• Have overall line management responsibility, of faculty and staff within the academic affairs department, supporting other line managers within the department to be effective and efficient managers.
• Lead the academic team by chairing academic committees, faculty meetings, and representing the academic department of BUSA LDN with external stakeholders.
• Working closely with both the Associate Director, Academic Affairs, and the Assistant Director, Academic Affairs, to ensure the academic success of BU London students during their London semesters, overseeing the management of any issues relating to academic courses, student academic performance, assessment and grading, and internship experiences.
• Support the Director, London Programmes, on the growth of the London study abroad site, operations of the academic provision, and contribute support in the development of marketing materials; serves as the key academic lead in partnerships with other US and UK Universities, maintaining professional relationships with existing partners and building professional relationships with potential and new partners.
• Lead on recruitment, training, evaluations and management of faculty, including reviewing faculty contracts, job descriptions, and supporting the Associate Director, HR in their strategic objectives in creating and sustaining a productive and positive workplace.
• Be the key contact and foster professional relationships with academic colleagues on Boston University's home campus, including Associate Director, Academic Affairs; Academic Program Leads; and program leads and Chairs from Boston University Colleges/Schools/Departments to ensure efficient and effective collaboration.
• Support the Associate Director, Academic Affairs, in their role as Internship Lead and key contact with EUSA – closely supporting the outreach initiatives and operational management of the London Internship Programme.

BUSA London Leadership

• Be a member of the Director's Executive Group, working alongside the other members to provide a high-quality study abroad experience for all students.
• Be a member of the London Executive Committee and Director's meeting with BUSA Executive Director.
• Be a member of the London Leadership forum.
• Participate in the Director-on-call rota along with other senior BU London staff

Qualifications & competencies:

• Doctoral degree with extensive experience in higher education, including academic administration, faculty leadership, expertise in curriculum development with an international dimension, and teaching experience and/or qualifications.
• Extensive experience in line management, demonstrating excellent leadership skills, knowledge, performance management, and team building, with a deep understanding of the UK and US higher education systems, including their strategic challenges and the broader international education landscape.
• Proven leadership experience in overseeing a large, multidisciplinary group of academic staff, and a deep and applied understanding of best pedagogical practices across a range of academic disciplines.
• Proven senior-level track record in fast-paced, changing environments, demonstrating the ability to adapt strategies and lead successful transformation working across a broad, complex and dynamic portfolio.
• Strong track record of working closely with senior management and key stakeholders, underpinned by a high level of political acumen, strategic judgement, and effective tactical delivery.
• Well-established knowledge of the UK student visa process and sponsorship responsibilities, with a focus on the academic component of UK visas.
• Excellent organizational skills with a high level of attention to detail and proactive problem-solving ability
• Strong interpersonal skills, with experience of new business partnership development, demonstrable evidence of building successful partnerships and collaborations, and the ability to build trusted relationships.
• Highly developed communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to communicate complex ideas across diverse audiences.
• Experience in overseeing emergency response and crisis management measures and procedures.
• Proficiency in IT systems including Virtual Learning Environment (Blackboard), Excel, and databases, possessing a deep and well-honed understanding of technology-enhanced teaching and learning.

This description is not intended to be a complete statement of job content, but rather to serve as a general guide to the essential functions of the position. Boston University retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

This job description maybe amended from time to time in keeping with the evolving needs of the role and its relationships to colleagues. Any such changes will be agreed through a consultative process