Head of ILEAD, Professor in Education

School: Academy of Future Education
Department:Institute of Leadership & Education Advanced Development (ILEAD)
Position:Head,Professor in Education
Location: Suzhou, China
Advertisement closing date: 1-March-2024
Contract Type: Fixed-term, renewable. 3rd contract is open-ended

ABOUT XJTLU

In 2006 Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) was created by the University of Liverpool and Xi’an Jiaotong University – a top ten university in China. Offering a unique international education experience, XJTLU brings together excellent research practice and expertise from both institutions and gives students the skills and knowledge they need to secure careers in a global marketplace. XJTLU now has over 25,000 enrolled students in both Suzhou and Liverpool in the UK, with plans to grow to about 28,000 students by 2025. There are currently about 2,000 staff, among which about 1,000 academic staff, with an almost even split between citizens of the People’s Republic of China and international passport holders. XJTLU offers our undergraduates and postgraduates over 100 programmes with a diverse spectrum of courses.

XJTLU is entering a new and exciting phase of its development as part of its strategic priorities for the next ten years. Adopting a new higher education model based on the concept of Syntegrative Education (SE), XJTLU is currently opening a new Entrepreneurial Education site in Taicang, part of wider Suzhou, where the Entrepreneur College (Taicang) is located. The Taicang site will be a pioneer of, and educational model for, the future campus inaddressing challenges arising from the 4th Industrial Revolution. Other new initiatives include new working partnerships with Xi’an Jiaotong University, the continued development of the four new Academies, and exploration of further potential locations to develop the SE model.

With a focus on innovative learning and teaching, and research, XJTLU draws on the strengths of its parent universities, and plays a pivotal role in facilitating access to China for UK and other institutional partners. At same time, XJTLU is exploring future education by blending the educational theory, best practice and culture from west and east.

For detailed information about the university, please visit www.xjtlu.edu.cn.

ABOUT ACADEMY OF FUTURE EDUCATION ( AOFE )

The Academy of Future Education of Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University is an educational innovation ecosystem that focuses on research, exploration, support, and dissemination of philosophy and best practices for future education. The core mission of the Academy is to impact education innovation and reform in China and beyond through a variety of projects and programmes, based on fundamental approaches in educational innovation and systemic development designed to contribute to the future of education. The Academy supports individuals and institutions at all levels, including all the K-15 schools as well as vocational education and higher education institutions.

Four units make up the Academy, namely the Department of Educational Studies (EDS), Institute of Leadership & Education Advanced Development (ILEAD), and Educational Development Unit (EDU), Learning Institute for Future Excellence (LIFE). Key projects of the Academy include the following programmes:

• Master’s and doctoral degree programmes in education
• Research projects on future education
• Education innovation community
• Professional development programmes for educational practitioners
• Student learning excellence support programmes
• Online-onsite hybrid learning environment and resources.  
• The academy supports individuals and institutions at all levels including all the K-15 schools as well as vocational education and higher education institutions. 

ILEAD is a unique and leading institution in China for education innovation, development, and education of educators (short courses and professional development communities). Its key customers include local, regional, national and international educational practitioners and institutions at K15, vocational, and higher education levels. ILEAD runs many communities such as XJTLU National University Teaching Innovation Competition and Association for Sustainable Faculty Development in Universities, which have national level impact in China. ILEAD is dedicated to innovate education in Child Development and Education by developing affiliated schools and collaborative projects with K15 educational institutions. ILEAD is collaborating with leading industry partners to explore new vocational education models in the digitalized era. Every year there were thousands of participants in ILEAD host training programmes and millions of participants involve in ILEAD community activities.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Applications are invited for Head of ILEAD (Professor in Education) within the Academy of Future Education at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University.

The Head of ILEAD is responsible for overseeing and managing daily operations of ILEAD, and leading the strategic development of ILEAD with the support from the Executive Dean of Academy of Future Education.   The role holder reports to the Executive Dean of Academy of Future Education.

Overall Responsibilities:

• Setting goals and strategies in ILEAD as well as managing and governing the process of delivery and evaluation of performance; 
• Supervising three divisions within ILEAD including Higher Education Centre, New Professional Education Centre, and Child Development and Education Centre; 
• Communication and collaboration with other units at XJTLU and external partners; 
• Act as a member of the Senior Management Team of Academy of Future Education; 
• Academic research on personal interested topics in education especially in the Chinese context. 
• Teaching on training programmes within ILEAD or degree programmes in Academy of Future Education. 

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:

• PhD degree in Education and related area, or ten years of experience in senior leadership position in educational institutions.
• A proven ability to enhance and implement a strategic vision for the ILEAD that aligns with University strategies; 
• A strong record of accomplishment in all forms of HE management but particularly in the area of people management with an emphasis on building strong teams and processes as well as systems that support career development and enable staff through supportive annual review conversations.   
• An established track record of success in leading or providing consultancy in education innovation, or running education community, or developing and delivering training programms in higher education, or vocational education, or elementary education;   
• A strong commitment to innovation in education with special reference to XJTLU education philosophy, research-led teaching, and syntegrative education;  
• Experience managing and planning budgets as well as networking an academic unit internally and externally to build brand and profile;   
• Experience working within a thriving multicultural environment;  An ability to lead, uplift and inspire young staff from within the ILEAD.   
• Applicants are expected to speak both Chinese and English fluently. 
• Applicants are expected to have knowledge about education in the Chinese context.

CITIZENSHIP AND VISA REGULATIONS

Employment at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University is regulated by Chinese Labour Laws, and must comply with the regulations of the provincial government. These regulations stipulate who is eligible for legal employment with regard to obtaining work permits and visas.  Please be advised candidates over 65 may be not eligible for a work visa in the P.R. China.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

SALARY: Competitive salary in the market

BENEFITS

RESEARCH FUNDING SUPPORT

The university provides every new faculty member with Research Development Fund to encourage them to initiate research projects, and Research Engagement Fund provided to support their continuous research activities.

The university will also support all faculty members to apply for national, province and city level programs. These programs aim to support excellent scientists, both Chinese and non-Chinese-citizen, to work and carry out research in China.

Some of the programs are listed in the table below. Successful applications are based on the applicant’s educational background, academic/research field, research achievements, working experience, etc. The university will provide full support on the applications.

Talent/Research Program / Fund

Outstanding Youth Science Foundation Project (Overseas) / RMB 1-3 Million
Innovation Leading Talent / up to RMB 2 Million
Outstanding  Leading Talent of International Discipline / 50% of Annual Package
Young Leading Talent of International Discipline / 50% of Annual Package

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your application on our university website HERE . Applications must be submitted in a single pdf file that includes 3 parts in the order of:

• A cover letter
• A current CV, including date of birth, country of citizenship, and highest degree level
• Contact Details for Three References

For specific enquiries relating to the position, please email Executive Dean, Dr. Xiaojun Zhang at [email protected] . Informal enquiries may be addressed to HR at [email protected]