Digital Learning Specialist

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Digital Learning Specialist

The Cardiff Learning and Teaching Academy (LTA)  is offering an exciting opportunity to for a digital education professional to support and transform learning and teaching across the University

As part of a team of digital learning professionals working with learning and teaching teams across the University, you will play a key role in transforming and supporting teaching and learning at Cardiff. You will contribute to projects and initiatives in support of Cardiff University’s strategic priorities.

As part of the LTA, you will lead and/or support a series of projects and initiatives that are aligned to University and Academic School priorities. The LTA  has a wide reach and aims to enhance the quality and consistency of the digital learning environment, the digital skills and capabilities of staff and students and the use of digitally enhanced learning within academic programmes. 

You will have demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the effective and appropriate use of digital learning, and a track record of achieving transformational change in digital education.  

You will provide expert guidance, advice and support to the University’s Colleges, Academic Schools and Professional Services on the design, development and implementation of digital learning initiatives, materials, and resources in order to help colleagues across the University implement a range of new technologies to enhance the student learning experience.  

You will offer expert pedagogical advice, guidance on digital learning practices, processes and tools underpinned by learning design approaches.  You will support academic staff, professional services staff, and colleagues in the academy to enhance curricula and ensure an excellent learning experience for students. 

Using your excellent interpersonal skills, you will work collaboratively with academic staff, Professional Services, the Students’ Union and the wider Learning and Teaching Academy to support innovation and best practice that meets the needs of our staff and students. 

In order to provide digital education expertise and support for Welsh medium education provision in the University, we looking to recruit individuals with either the ability to work through the medium of Welsh, or who are willing to learn Welsh to use in the workplace. The opportunity to learn or improve Welsh language skills is offered within the University.  

We have two roles available.  Both positions are full time.

• One open-ended 

• One fixed term for 3 years from appointment start date 

Salary: £39,347 - £44,263 per annum (Grade 6), appointments will usually be at the bottom of the grade. 

There has never been a more exciting time to work in the field of digital learning and these are great opportunities to join Wales’ only Russell Group institution. 

If you would like more information about these opportunities or wish to arrange a telephone call to discuss the opportunities in more detail, please email Dr Catherine Bushell, Head of Digital Education: [email protected] .  

Important note:  

It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable. As part of the application process you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement.  Please ensure that the evidence you are providing corresponds with the numbered criteria outlined above. Your application will be considered based on the information you provide under each element. 

When attaching the supporting statement to your application profile, please ensure that you name it with the vacancy reference number, e.g. Supporting Statement for 18218BR

Date Advertised: 26 March 2024

Closing date: 18 April 2024

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds.  We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Job Description

Duties and Responsibilities

• Work with colleagues within the Learning and Teaching Academy (LTA) and across the University to support the implementation of the University’s strategic priorities.

• Take a lead on digital learning projects/initiatives designed to enhance the student learning experience from inception to final delivery and evaluation. 

• Provide expert pedagogical advice, guidance and support on digital learning practices, processes and tools, to academic staff, professional services staff, and colleagues in the academy to enhance curricula and ensure an excellent learning experience for students. 

• Lead on and/or support the design and development of new academic modules or courses in partnership with academic staff. 

• Design, deliver, and evaluate high quality online resources such as guides, training materials, case studies and deliver continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities to staff across the University on topics relating to digital education.    

• Lead and/or support a range of events and activities that aim to promote, showcase and develop best practice in digital education.  

• Lead and/or support the University in the roll-out of new learning technology systems.  

• Contribute to digital education expertise and support for Welsh medium education provision in the University. 

• Actively engage in internal and external networks, including communities of practice in digital learning.   

• Undertake training and mentorship of others within the Learning and Teaching Academy (LTA) and deliver training for staff in the wider University, and continually monitor developments and innovations related to effective and innovative digital learning practices and tools. 

• Line manage and/or mentor other members of the LTA Team 

• Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements in respect of equality and diversity, data protection, copyright and licensing, security, financial and other University policies, procedures and codes as appropriate.  

• Take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and of other persons who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, EC directives and the University’s Safety, Health and Environment Policies and procedures and to co-operate with the University on any legal duties placed on it as the employer.  

• Other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with each role.  

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education 

Relevant Degree or professional level qualification, or equivalent experience.     

Experience 

Previous experience in a learning designer / learning technologist role and a track record of successfully delivering digital learning projects/initiatives that have had a demonstrable positive impact on the student learning experience and contributed to the delivery of strategic objectives.   

Experience of working with subject-matter experts to design credit-bearing online / blended courses and providing advice on the use of learning technologies including experience of review, testing and QA processes for blended and online courses 

Significant experience of working with a range of digital learning tools, including virtual learning environments.   

Proven experience of developing and delivering high-quality, transformational CPD including guides, resources and workshops on themes relating to technology enhanced learning (such as accessibility and inclusivity) for a range of individuals and groups. 

Knowledge and skills   

An excellent understanding of sector developments and innovative practices relating to learning technologies alongside specialist pedagogical skills and knowledge with the ability to support/advise on the design and delivery of excellent learning, teaching and assessment through the effective use of digital tools and approaches.      

Ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks, with excellent organisational and project management skills and ability to provide innovative solutions to challenges or opportunities within digital education.   

Effective and persuasive communication skills, including the ability to present complex information to a wide range of audiences.   

Demonstrable ability to not only work independently and on own initiative, but to be an active participant in a team who supports and encourages others and helps to build co-operation and morale.   

Welsh Speaker, with ability to work through the medium of Welsh or willingness to learn Welsh. 

Desirable Criteria

Experience of working in a Higher Education environment.   

Relevant professional recognition (e.g. Advance HE Fellowship or Senior Fellowship, Certified Member of the Association for Learning Technology (CMALT) 

Job Category

Education, Information Technology, Management & Executive