Senior Lecturer in EAP and Head of Pre-sessional and Short Courses - INTERNAL ONLY

THIS VACANCY IS OPEN TO INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY

King's Foundations is seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to join as the Senior Lecturer in EAP and Head of Pre-sessional and Short Courses.

King’s Foundations is a department within King’s College London that provides high-quality international pathway, academic skills and English language preparation courses for King's students. We are looking for an experienced educator to join our team and oversee the development and delivery of our Pre-sessional programme and short course portfolio. The successful candidate be a well-rounded leader in educational development including in the use of digital education to enhance programmes of study.

This post is being brought in on the College’s academic education pathway contract to reflect the nature of the role, and to provide the platform and prestige needed to excel in the position.

We are looking for someone with in-depth knowledge of EAP, pre-sessional programmes and short course provision. The role will lead on the design, development and delivery of the King’s Pre-sessional Programme.  They will also lead the department in creating a framework for identifying, developing and delivering short courses.

The successful candidate will collaborate with staff and students across all faculties to ensure our provision meets the needs of all students progressing through the department. The Head of Pre-sessional and Short Courses will play a pivotal role in developing and implementing university-wide strategies, while also contributing to the wider strategic direction of King's Foundations as a critical member of the Department Executive and Department Education Committee.

This post will be offered on an indefinite contract

This is a full-time  post - 100% full time equivalent

Strategic Leadership:  

• Provide visionary and strategic leadership within King's Foundations on the design, development, review and delivery of the King’s Pre-sessional Programme ensuring it is aligned with the institutional and departmental goals and objectives. 
• Undertake a leading role across the university on all matters related to pre-sessional provision. This includes developing and maintaining key relationships, understanding the varying needs of staff and students with regards to the Pre-sessional programme, and actively promoting and reviewing the provision.
• Provide leadership on the creation of a King’s Foundations short course framework outlining the department’s approach and working across CIEL to identify viable short course opportunities, and overseeing the development and delivery of them. 

Programme Development and Management: 

• Develop and manage the Pre-sessional programme, offering both generalised and discipline-specific provision catering to the diverse needs of students across various disciplines and levels of study. 
• Work with relevant university stakeholders to ensure that the programme continues to evolve in line with faculty need and university strategic priorities. 
• Develop and manage the department’s short course provision including the Nanjing teacher-trainer contract and the Prepare for Postgraduate Studies ensuring learning outcomes and delivery methods are effective and appropriate. 
• Work across King’s College London to develop other programmes or modules related to English language provision such as credit-bearing English or TESOL modules. 

Staff Management and Development: 

• Lead and mentor the Pre-sessional and Short Course Coordinators, providing guidance, training, and professional development opportunities and ensuring that a supportive, collaborative and creative culture is established.
• Foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the academic skills team, promoting student-centered approaches and best practices in teaching and learning. 

Student Support and Engagement: 

• Develop and implement initiatives to enhance student engagement with Pre-sessional and short course provision.
• Ensure students are supported both academically and pastorally to excel on our programmes of study working in collaboration with our Student Experience team and Senior Tutors.
• Collaborate with the KF Academic Skills Team and other College support services to ensure students are aware of the areas of support available to them and help with transition. 

University-wide Leadership and Collaboration: 

• Collaborate with academic departments, faculties, and other key stakeholders to ensure our provision meets the varying needs of faculty.   
• Liaise with support services across the university to ensure a coordinated and comprehensive approach to student success. 

Contribution to King's Foundations Strategy: 

• Serve as a member of the Department Executive and Department Education Committee, contributing to the development and implementation of the wider strategic direction of King's Foundations. 
• Represent the pre-sessional and short course perspective and advocate for students studying these programmes within the department's decision-making processes.

Quality Assurance and Evaluation: 

• Work within the King’s and departmental quality assurance frameworks to establish and maintain rigorous quality assurance processes to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and impact of pre-sessional and short course provision.
• Analyse data and feedback to identify areas for improvement and implement evidence-based enhancements. 

Line Management: 

• Line manage the Pre-sessional and Short Course Coordinators and other teaching staff as required. 

Teaching: 

• Teach up to 75 hours across a range of King’s Foundations provision. 
• Engage in teaching-related CPD and disseminate pedagogic learnings from the pre-sessional and short course provision to the wider department.

Scholarship and CPD:

• Undertake scholarly activity relevant to the role and department priorities. 
• Maintain and improve professional competency through engagement with relevant courses, seminars and other types of professional development

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.  

Essential criteria  

1.  Leadership abilities: Strong leadership abilities, with experience of driving educational initiatives and motivating colleagues. 

2.    Educational Background: Hold a relevant postgraduate degree and teaching qualification, plus Senior Fellow of HEA status or commitment to obtaining it within the probationary period.

3.  Programme Development: Proven track record of delivering excellence in the design, delivery and review of pre-sessional programmes at a higher education institution.     

4.  Short Course Development: Ability to create a short course framework and deliver excellence in the design, delivery and review of short course provision at a higher education institution.

5.  Teaching Experience: Extensive experience of successful teaching in higher education, including on Pre-sessional and Short Course provision. 

About King’s Centre for International Education and Languages  

King’s Centre for International Education and Languages a new, cross-cutting Centre designed to widen the educational reach of King’s. It brings together three existing areas: King’s Foundations, Summer Programmes, and King’s Language Centre. This brings together international pathway provision, pre sessional programmes, pre-UG summer courses, UG summer modules, UG language modules, bespoke language programmes for the community and our partners and academic skills provision for all King’s students.  

Each of these areas are well established, respected and recognised within and beyond the King’s community. The Centre is focused on enabling collaboration between the three departments to further advance our work in promoting educational excellence and supporting and enhancing the student experience. The Centre has significant expertise in International Education and makes a significant contribution to the rich and diverse make-up of the King’s student body.

**About King’s Foundations **

King’s Foundations is a leading centre for English for Academic Purposes (EAP) and pathway education across the HE sector, accredited by the British Council. As one of the largest providers of pathway education, we welcome over 2,500 students each year across our King’s International Foundation Programmes and our range of Pre-sessional Programmes, with programmes offered online, on campus and in a blended way. We also offer a range of short courses with partners and support all King’s students through contributing to a range of co-curricular academic skills and language development courses.  

Our mission is to support a diverse group of learners to achieve their potential at King’s, supporting students to become independent and inquisitive learners. King’s Foundations is home to approximately 80 permanent staff, growing to around 150 during our busy summer months.  We champion a forward-thinking approach to education and take a digitally-enabled approach across all aspects of education. Over the last 6 years, the department has seen significant planned growth in support of King’s Vision 2029, with annual income of over £20m.