Job Description
The Position: Vice President Academic Affairs & Research
Reporting to: The President
Purpose of Position: Leadership of academic affairs and research excellence at the National College of Ireland.
Key Relationships
* Reports to: NCI President
* Governing Body
* Deans of Schools
* Registrar
* Senior Management Team and Executive Group colleagues
Key Responsibilities:
The Vice President Academic Affairs & Research will be responsible for:
Strategy:
* Work collaboratively with the President to execute and deliver NCI’s Strategic Plan, Academic objectives and mission.
* Support the President and Governing Body in the effective positioning of the College within the HEA, driving towards designated authority
* Deputise for the President as required both within and external to the College
* Lead and promote academic excellence consistent with the mission and strategy of the College in collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team and Executive Group.
* Develop and implement innovative Teaching and Learning strategies to improve the student learning experience and drive reputation and market success
* Ensure academic governance and policies maintain the highest level of academic quality for the College.
* Develop and oversee implementation of short and long-term academic goals with the Deans of Schools and other senior academic staff, to include staff development and relations with external stakeholders.
* Work proactively with stakeholders to develop inter-institutional and employer collaborative relationships in line with College strategy.
Leadership:
* Support the President and other senior colleagues in reporting to the Governing Body on academic and research performance.
* Promote a culture of collegiality and shared academic and research excellence across all faculty members
* Support the President in all activities of Academic Council
* Chair Academic Operations, Programme Lifecycle Management and other Committees that oversee Academic and Research development within the College.
* Promote an environment which ensures excellence in Learning and Teaching and innovation in Programme Development
* Promote the use of technological innovations to support best academic practice and the delivery of the optimum student experience at NCI
* Lead the effective and efficient delivery of all academic processes in collaboration with colleagues to ensure the continued stability of the College and adherence to all institutional quality assurance responsibilities
* Encourage nurture and engage all academic staff to ensure optimal career development, growth of talent, delivery of results and the full realisation of potential.
* Lead research activities within the College, promoting national and international and cutting- edge industry-academia collaborations
* Deliver a coherent, joined-up research ecosystem for NCI that clearly addressed the mission and values of the College
* In collaboration with the President, represent the College in Higher Education fora in Ireland and internationally.
* Foster an environment that promotes the College’s values of access, sustainability and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
Research:
* Deliver and enhance the College’s Research strategy to promote research activity within all departments of the College for students and staff within agreed budget.
* Maximise internal research co-operation between Schools, the Early Learning Initiative, teaching and learning and other administration functions as appropriate
* Develop policies to ensure research is aligned with College strategy and mission
* Maximise benefit for the College in respect of commercialisation of research and research collaborations including development of enterprise partners.
* Ensure effective governance, accounting, management and administration of all research grants and contracts.
* Ensure research funding, activities and outputs are properly monitored and validated providing transparent evaluation and performance metrics.
* Liaison with national and international agencies to identify opportunities for research funding, maintaining relations with national and international stakeholders and identification of relevant consortia projects.
* Enhance awareness and dissemination of NCI’s research activity both internally and externally.
Management:
* Oversee and deliver the academic affairs and research mandate of NCI and the achievement of agreed goals, staffing, financial planning, budget control and accountability.
* Ensure the development and monitoring of academic policies and procedures in line with Quality and Institutional Effectiveness.
* Undertake line management responsibilities for the Deans of the Schools and staff.
* Collaborate with Registrar to ensure effective academic administration, including admissions, registration, assessments and exams, timetables, and all other student services.
* Liaise with Student’s Union in collaboration with Registrar to ensure effective Class Representation and consideration of student voice in academic and research activities
* Ensure effective management information on academic and research activities is evidence with NCI’s Strategic Plan, operational plans and work programmes.
* Oversee the implementation of internal academic accreditation processes and ensure full compliance with all external and professional accreditation obligations.
* Promote effective and collaborative management in all areas of academic and research activities
* Inspire and empower others and develop a culture of positive leadership towards a shared vision
Essential Requirements:
* A PhD in a related field and a minimum of 5 years of proven experience in academic leadership, research and management within higher education.
* Knowledge of the Athena Swan Charter and experience promoting gender equality, diversity, and equity.
Key Attributes:
* Educated to doctoral level with evidence of significant academic and research achievements
* Experience of Academic management and development, delivery and evaluation of high- quality learning and teaching activities
* Proven history of strong external relationships and partnerships, including with enterprise, public sector bodies, education agencies and other Higher Education Institutes
* Evidence of collaborative leadership and management at a senior level and demonstrable evident of representation of a previous academic organisation.
* Deep knowledge of Ireland’s higher education landscape and future trends in higher education, nationally and internationally
* Proven track record of delivery in academic operations and innovation to ensure excellence and efficiencies.
* Commitment to the principle of access to higher education and NCI’s values.
Conditions of Service
Tenure: Permanent contract of employment.
Salary: €150,000 – €170,000.
Pension: Defined Contribution Pension Scheme.
Probation: Subject to a six-month probationary period.
Location: Based at Mayor Street Lower, International Financial Services Centre, Dublin 1. Working Hours: Minimum of 35 hours per week (five-day week), with potential evening and weekend work as required.
Annual Leave: The annual leave allowance is 34 days.
How to apply:
Please submit your CV and Cover Letter including reference number 000722 to catherine@croninpartners.com by 5pm 16th May 2025.