Chief Academic Officer

The Chief Academic Officer (CAO) is a key member of the Senior Leadership Committee responsible for overseeing the academic success and future growth of the University. The CAO provides strategic and operational leadership and direction to ensure academic excellence, curriculum development, faculty development, accreditation and professional body engagement, relevant industry collaboration and an outstanding student experience. The CAO is responsible for regularly reviewing revising and ensuring the successful delivery of the University’s Strategic Plan. This includes:

- Regularly reviewing the Plan and working across the University to lead all aspects of academic development, delivery, and performance monitoring.
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive academic development strategy that aligns with the University’s goals and objectives. Identify opportunities for growth, innovation, and diversification.
- Building and maintaining a robust network of contacts related to the University’s academic programmes, working with schools, government, and the education industry to support the growth of the University.
- Collaborating closely with the University in UK to align academic strategies with business development and enterprise initiatives to promote a seamless integration of academic and business goals.
- Working closely with the University’s VP (Education) and VP (International) to address operational issues that impact the growth and success of the University.
- Attracting new clients and partners, negotiate agreements, and foster relationships to enhance the University’s reputation and reach.
- Ensuring robust processes and procedures are in place to support the effective and efficient delivery of all academic functions.
- Acting as an interface between cognate academic, operational and professional services at the University and the University in UK to ensure appropriate academic standards and excellence are maintained.
- Working with the CEO and the COO to establish and nurture relationships with local, national, and international stakeholders to ensure the growth and success of the University.

**Key Accountabilities**

a) Academic
- Provide visionary academic leadership to enhance the academic quality and reputation of the institution by leading the development and evaluation of academic programmes and curriculum to ensure alignment with the University’s goals, competitive industry trends and MQA requirements.
- Responsible for the overall success of the University’s academic programmes, schools and academic development to enhance student retention, and engagement, while maintaining accreditation standards.
- Take responsibility for overseeing, developing, and promoting innovative teaching and learning approaches that create interest, understanding and enthusiasm amongst students. When teaching specific modules, identify the learning needs of students and define learning objectives. Promote the use of appropriate media to support student learning. Set and mark coursework and exams where appropriate and provide constructive feedback to students.
- Work with the Heads of Schools and UK colleagues to design, develop and deliver new and/or revised programmes. Take responsibility for the quality of design of the existing courses and programmes, continually monitoring, evaluating, and revising them to ensure excellence and coherence, identifying areas where current provision needs revision or improvement.
- Responsible for developing and sustaining a national and international reputation for research and enhancing learning and teaching practice by regularly disseminating and explaining findings through leading peer-reviewed publications, major conferences, or other relevant events. Engage in external academic activities in accordance with the University’s Research Strategy to enhance the University’s national/international research profile, e.g., membership of committees of academic bodies, external examining, journal editorships, etc.

b) Leadership
- In collaboration with the CEO and the University’s Board, to be responsible for the development and delivery of an innovative, viable and sustainable academic strategy.
- Responsible for regular academic reports to demonstrate delivery against the University’s academic plan and its key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Responsible for forecasting future changes to academic policy, strategy and statutory requirements which will impact the delivery of the University’s teaching and research.
- Provide expert advice relating to education and research to the University’s Board regarding priorities, initiatives, action plans and delivery milestones.
- Accountable for providing timely and accurate comprehensive management information relating to academics to help shape and develop academic strategy.
- Responsible for the performance of overall operational and strategic academic excellence.
- Work with the CEO on all aspects of alumni e