Oxford International Education Group

Application Deadline:
23 October 2026
Department:
Academic
Location:
Belfast
Description
Job purpose
The Programme Lead provides academic leadership for the effective delivery, quality and continuous improvement of designated programmes within the Centre.
Working closely with the Centre Director and academic team, the Programme Lead is responsible for ensuring that programmes are delivered coherently and consistently, meet agreed academic and quality standards, and support strong student engagement, achievement, completion and progression.
The postholder will provide day-to-day academic oversight of programme delivery, curriculum and assessment, use academic and student performance data to identify areas for improvement, and coordinate appropriate academic responses. They will support teaching staff in maintaining high standards of teaching, learning and assessment and contribute actively to the Centre's academic quality assurance and enhancement processes.
The Programme Lead will normally undertake teaching alongside their leadership responsibilities, with teaching allocation balanced appropriately to ensure sufficient capacity to fulfil the academic leadership requirements of the role.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership and People Management
<ul>
<li>Provide day-to-day academic leadership for designated programmes and act as the principal academic point of coordination for the programme team.</li>
<li>Promote a collaborative and inclusive working environment that enhances the quality of the student learning experience and the teaching–learning environment.</li>
<li>Inspire and motivate teaching staff to deliver high-quality learning and actively contribute to programme development and enhancement.</li>
<li>Plan staffing requirements in advance and work with the Centre Director to ensure programmes are appropriately resourced, with recruitment activity conducted in line with corporate policies and standards.</li>
<li>Assist the Centre Director in monitoring and managing staff performance, including annual observations and performance reviews, ensuring any issues are addressed promptly and effectively.</li>
<li>Contribute to the strategic development and longer-term planning of the programme portfolio.</li>
<li>Support the induction of new teaching staff and provide ongoing academic guidance and support.</li>
<li>Work with the Centre Director to contribute to professional development planning for Centre teaching staff.</li>
</ul>
Programme Management and Academic Quality
<ul>
<li>Plan, coordinate and manage the delivery of a coherent suite of high-quality modules that support student progression targets and satisfaction.</li>
<li>Work with the Centre management team to ensure the programme meets agreed strategic and operational objectives.</li>
<li>Ensure programme curricula and modules are aligned with partner University standards and requirements to facilitate progression and achievement.</li>
<li>Work with relevant colleagues to ensure timetables are effective, deliverable, and aligned with module descriptors, keeping stakeholders appropriately informed.</li>
<li>Ensure the design, delivery, marking and moderation of assessments are fair, transparent, and aligned with programme learning outcomes and level descriptors.</li>
<li>Lead annual module evaluation processes, analysing feedback to inform curriculum enhancement and continuous improvement.</li>
<li>Contribute to Annual Programme Monitoring and support action planning and follow-up.</li>
<li>Assist the Centre Director in preparing for and implementing programme-level change, including new modules where required.</li>
<li>Ensure assessment, progression and reporting deadlines are met, and that accurate academic records are maintained and shared with the academic administrator.</li>
<li>Ensure appropriate cover arrangements are in place when tutors are absent, maintaining continuity of delivery.</li>
</ul>
Student Support and Progression
<ul>
<li>Ensure attendance and engagement monitoring processes are followed consistently, working with tutors to address concerns promptly.</li>
<li>Monitor student academic progress and attainment, initiating interventions where required to support successful progression.</li>
<li>Work collaboratively with academic and student support teams to identify and address barriers to student success.</li>
<li>Foster a positive, inclusive and supportive learning environment that promotes student confidence, belonging and achievement.</li>
</ul>
External and Internal Stakeholder Engagement
<ul>
<li>Build and maintain effective working relationships with key academic contacts at the partner University to support programme quality, alignment and progression.</li>
<li>Ensure effective communication and collaboration with OIEG Academic Affairs, Quality Assurance teams.</li>
<li>Collaborate with Programme Leads across other Centres, sharing good practice and contributing to cross-Centre enhancement.</li>
<li>Act as a visible academic ambassador for the Centre and OIEG.</li>
</ul>
Teaching and Scholarship
<ul>
<li>Plan and deliver up to 15 hours per week of high-quality teaching, in line with programme and module requirements.</li>
<li>Model effective teaching, assessment and feedback practice, aligned with academic standards and inclusive pedagogy.</li>
<li>Contribute to assessment marking, moderation and standardisation as required.</li>
<li>Engage in scholarly and professional development activities to maintain subject and pedagogic currency.</li>
</ul>
Role Scope and Boundaries
<ul>
<li>The Programme Lead holds academic leadership responsibility for the programme, with day-to-day oversight of delivery, assessment and student outcomes.</li>
<li>Formal line management accountability sits with the Centre Director, unless otherwise agreed.</li>
<li>Strategic resourcing and contractual decisions remain the responsibility of senior Centre leadership.</li>
<li>The Programme Lead works particularly closely with Senior Tutors and Tutors. Senior Tutors may provide leadership and coordination within particular subject or module areas, while the Programme Lead maintains oversight of the coherence and performance of the programme as a whole.</li>
</ul>
Person Specifications
Legal status
<ul>
<li>Right to work in the UK.</li>
<li>Undergo AccessNI check</li>
</ul>
Qualifications
<ul>
<li>Degree or equivalent qualification in STEM discipline</li>
<li>Postgraduate qualification in Computing and Engineering or a related discipline
(Desirable)</li>
<li>Recognised teaching qualification relevant to higher education, such as PGCAP/PGCAPHE, PGCert HE. A PGCE or comparable professional teaching qualification will also be considered where accompanied by substantial HE or Pathway teaching experience.
(Desirable)</li>
<li>Advance HE Fellowship (or willingness to work towards this).
(Desirable)</li>
</ul>
Experience and knowledge
<ul>
<li>Experience of teaching Computing and Engineering or a closely related subject in higher education, foundation/pathway provision or an equivalent post-secondary setting.</li>
<li>Experience of providing academic leadership or coordination at programme, subject or module level, including working with colleagues to support effective and consistent academic delivery.</li>
<li>Experience of assessment, marking, moderation and providing effective feedback to students.</li>
<li>Sound understanding of academic standards, assessment and quality assurance within higher education or equivalent provision.</li>
<li>Experience of using student performance, engagement and/or assessment data to identify areas of concern and inform academic improvement.</li>
<li>Experience of supporting students from diverse educational and cultural backgrounds.</li>
<li>Experience of contributing to curriculum and assessment review and enhancement.
(Desirable)</li>
<li>Understanding of the factors affecting student engagement, achievement, completion and progression and the role of academic teams in improving student outcomes.
(Desirable)</li>
<li>Experience of working within university partnership or validated provision.
(Desirable)</li>
</ul>
Skills and Abilities
<ul>
<li>Strong subject knowledge with the ability to teach effectively at foundation / undergraduate level.</li>
<li>Ability to provide academic leadership and coordinate colleagues to achieve consistent and high-quality programme delivery.</li>
<li>Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing teaching, assessment and administrative deadlines.</li>
<li>Ability to analyse student performance and programme data, identify significant trends or areas of underperformance and translate findings into appropriate academic action.</li>
<li>Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate academic issues clearly to colleagues and senior managers.</li>
<li>Ability to identify where curriculum, assessment, teaching or academic support may require improvement and contribute to effective solutions.
(Desirable)</li>
<li>Experience of Blackboard, Turnitin or comparable systems.
(Desirable)</li>
<li>Ability to mentor or support the professional development of academic colleagues.
(Desirable)</li>
<li>Confidence in using dashboards, management information or other data systems to support academic decision-making.
(Desirable)</li>
</ul>
Personal qualities
<ul>
<li>Student-centred and committed to high-quality teaching and student outcomes.</li>
<li>Collaborative and able to build positive working relationships with colleagues.</li>
<li>Proactive, organised and accountable, with the confidence to take ownership of programme-level academic priorities and follow actions through to completion.</li>
<li>Approachable and supportive while maintaining appropriate academic standards and professional boundaries.</li>
<li>Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and safeguarding.</li>
<li>Reflective approach and willingness to engage in continuing professional development. Confidence and credibility in supporting, coaching and constructively challenging academic colleagues.</li>
<li>Intellectual curiosity and a strong interest in evidence-informed approaches to teaching, learning and student success.</li>
<li>Ability to act as a positive advocate for academic enhancement and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.</li>
</ul>
Disclaimer
This job description is provided as a guide to the role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive description of duties and responsibilities and may be subject to periodic revision.
Oxford International is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and Access NI, as this job involves working with children. This role meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders(NI) Order 1978.
Oxford International is an equal-opportunity employer. Every applicant and employee has the same opportunities regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, veteran status or religion belief or political opinion.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date should we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We therefore encourage interested candidates to apply as early as possible.

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