Previous Opportunities

Head of Learning, Teaching & Widening Access Policy

Salary:
44,763 – 49,735 FTE
Location:
Edinburgh
notice:
This position is now closed to applications.

11543

Maternity Cover: 12 months from early February 2018                                                                    £44,763 – £49,735 (FTE)

Universities Scotland is the representative organisation for the leaders of Scotland’s 19 higher education institutions. They develop policy on behalf of the higher education sector and campaign publicly on higher education issues.  Their mission is to influence the policy, legislative and financial decisions of government and its agencies so that they best support universities’ success. In doing so, they promote the university sector’s contribution to Scotland’s economic, social and cultural wellbeing.

The role has the leading responsibility for developing university leaders’ influence on public policy relating to learning, teaching and widening access.  This will be particularly important over the next year.  The university sector has major challenges and opportunities to demonstrate that it is a leader in the development of policy to widen access to higher education; to demonstrate that universities are developing skilled graduates for the modern economy; to influence reform of the routes to higher education available to learners and to make an expert contribution to regulatory reform e.g. regarding the Teaching Excellence Framework.  The role involves the pro-active development of evidenced policy on behalf of university leaders.  It also involves advising on university leaders’ response to policy proposals from government and its agencies.  The post holder has responsibility for leading two other policy officers and works closely with colleagues in the public affairs team to develop campaigns to influence politicians and stakeholders.

The successful candidate will be a key adviser to the Principals of Scotland’s higher education institutions.  The role requires a candidate who can demonstrate exceptional capacity to develop joined up policy solutions across a wide portfolio, based on the ability to syncretise, evaluate and present evidence and argument from a wide range of sources.  The candidate will have to be someone who can quickly build personal credibility with senior leaders in universities, government and stakeholder bodies.  They will have to have to capacity to lead and motivate a small high performing team, and to contribute to the overall leadership of an organisation of 15 staff.  The successful candidate will be working in a small team where enthusiasm, initiative and the ability to work with others will be required.  The post is currently filled on a 0.6 FTE basis and if it continues on this basis the salary will be pro-rated accordingly.  They will consider applications from candidates who also wish to work full time.

Universities Scotland is committed to being an equal opportunities employer and they welcome applications from all sections of the community. 

For a confidential discussion about the role please contact Amy Gordon at Aspen on 0141 212 7555.

To apply, please complete the short form below and upload your CV and covering letter.

You will receive an email acknowledgement of your application within 24 hours. If you do not receive this please contact Kelsey Sinclair on 0141 212 7555 to ensure it has been received.