Programme Lead Business, Law and Social Studies

Application Deadline: 9 October 2026

Department: Academic

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Sheffield

Compensation: £40,000 / year

Description

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day academic leadership for designated programmes and act as the principal academic point of coordination for the programme team. 
• Promote a collaborative and inclusive working environment that enhances the quality of the student learning experience and the teaching–learning environment.
• Inspire and motivate teaching staff to deliver high-quality learning and actively contribute to programme development and enhancement.
• Plan staffing requirements in advance and work with the College Director to ensure programmes are appropriately resourced, with recruitment activity conducted in line with corporate policies and standards.
• Assist the College Director in monitoring and managing staff performance, including annual observations and performance reviews, ensuring any issues are addressed promptly and effectively.
• Contribute to the strategic development and longer-term planning of the programme portfolio.
• Support the induction of new teaching staff and provide ongoing academic guidance and support.
• Work with the College Director to contribute to professional development planning for College teaching staff.

• Plan, coordinate and manage the delivery of a coherent suite of high-quality modules that support student progression targets and satisfaction.
• Work with the College management team to ensure the programme meets agreed strategic and operational objectives.
• Ensure programme curricula and modules are aligned with partner University standards and requirements to facilitate progression and achievement.
• Work with relevant colleagues to ensure timetables are effective, deliverable, and aligned with module descriptors, keeping stakeholders appropriately informed.
• Ensure the design, delivery, marking and moderation of assessments are fair, transparent, and aligned with programme learning outcomes and level descriptors.
• Lead annual module evaluation processes, analysing feedback to inform curriculum enhancement and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to Annual Programme Monitoring and support action planning and follow-up.
• Assist the College Director in preparing for and implementing programme-level change, including new modules where required.
• Ensure assessment, progression and reporting deadlines are met, and that accurate academic records are maintained and shared with the academic administrator.
• Ensure appropriate cover arrangements are in place when tutors are absent, maintaining continuity of delivery.

• Ensure attendance and engagement monitoring processes are followed consistently, working with tutors to address concerns promptly.
• Monitor student academic progress and attainment, initiating interventions where required to support successful progression.
• Work collaboratively with academic and student support teams to identify and address barriers to student success.
• Foster a positive, inclusive and supportive learning environment that promotes student confidence, belonging and achievement.

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with key academic contacts at the partner University to support programme quality, alignment and progression.
• Ensure effective communication and collaboration with OIEG Academic Affairs, Quality Assurance teams.
• Collaborate with Programme Leads across other Colleges, sharing good practice and contributing to cross-College enhancement.
• Act as a visible academic ambassador for the College and OIEG.

• Plan and deliver up to 15 hours per week of high-quality teaching, in line with programme and module requirements.
• Model effective teaching, assessment and feedback practice, aligned with academic standards and inclusive pedagogy.
• Contribute to assessment marking, moderation and standardisation as required.
• Engage in scholarly and professional development activities to maintain subject and pedagogic currency.

• The Programme Lead holds academic leadership responsibility for the programme, with day-to-day oversight of delivery, assessment and student outcomes.
• Formal line management accountability sits with the College Director, unless otherwise agreed.
• Strategic resourcing and contractual decisions remain the responsibility of senior College leadership.
• 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.

Person Specifications

• Right to work in the UK.
• Willingness to undertake appropriate safeguarding and pre-employment checks.

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Business
• Postgraduate qualification in Business or a related discipline. (Desirable)
• 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)
• Advance HE Fellowship (or willingness to work towards this). (Desirable)

• Experience of teaching Business or a closely related subject in higher education, foundation/pathway provision or an equivalent post-secondary setting.
• Experience of providing academic leadership or coordination at programme, subject or module level, including working with colleagues to support effective and consistent academic delivery.
• Experience of assessment, marking, moderation and providing effective feedback to students.
• Sound understanding of academic standards, assessment and quality assurance within higher education or equivalent provision.
• Experience of using student performance, engagement and/or assessment data to identify areas of concern and inform academic improvement.
• Experience of supporting students from diverse educational and cultural backgrounds.
• Experience of contributing to curriculum and assessment review and enhancement. (Desirable)
• Understanding of the factors affecting student engagement, achievement, completion and progression and the role of academic teams in improving student outcomes. (Desirable)
• Experience of working within university partnership or validated provision. (Desirable)

• Strong subject knowledge with the ability to teach effectively at foundation / undergraduate level. 
• Ability to provide academic leadership and coordinate colleagues to achieve consistent and high-quality programme delivery.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing teaching, assessment and administrative deadlines. 
• Ability to analyse student performance and programme data, identify significant trends or areas of underperformance and translate findings into appropriate academic action.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate academic issues clearly to colleagues and senior managers.
• Ability to identify where curriculum, assessment, teaching or academic support may require  improvement and contribute to effective solutions. (Desirable)
• Experience of Blackboard, Turnitin or comparable systems. (Desirable)
• Ability to mentor or support the professional development of academic colleagues. (Desirable)
• Confidence in using dashboards, management information or other data systems to support academic decision-making. (Desirable)

• Student-centred and committed to high-quality teaching and student outcomes. 
• Collaborative and able to build positive working relationships with colleagues. 
• Proactive, organised and accountable, with the confidence to take ownership of programme-level academic priorities and follow actions through to completion. 
• Approachable and supportive while maintaining appropriate academic standards and professional boundaries.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and safeguarding. 
• Reflective approach and willingness to engage in continuing professional development. Confidence and credibility in supporting, coaching and constructively challenging academic colleagues.
• Intellectual curiosity and a strong interest in evidence-informed approaches to teaching, learning and student success.
• Ability to act as a positive advocate for academic enhancement and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.

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