Job Summary
At Robert Gordon University (RGU) we are proud of our excellence in education and research, and we are offering an opportunity to join our team as a Principal Lecturer for Partnerships and Professional Development. RGU is an innovative, inclusive, and ambitious University, focused on the impact of its demand-led teaching and research. RGU delivers a high-quality vocational education and relevant curriculum which provides learners with the skills they require to thrive throughout their careers. As a result, the university has a reputation for producing graduates that are highly sought after by employers.
The School of Health is a vibrant academic community and provider of nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, diagnostic radiography and paramedicine in the North of Scotland. Our vision is to transform health and social care in urban, remote and rural areas and our School Strategy sets out how we will achieve that.
As the School continues to sustainably expand our transnational education provision as well as other partnership agreements, the post holder will provide leadership and oversight across the School in achieving within this exciting priority area. With an enthusiasm to work internationally, for developing partnerships and working with quality agencies at home and overseas, you would be expected to bring experience in initiating, developing, and leading partnership projects to the School and be able to represent and advocate for the School and University.
In addition, the Principal Lecturer will play a pivotal role in ensuring that our professional development provision is contemporary, responsive to sector developments, aligned with regulatory requirements, and committed to the highest standards of quality. The post holder will collaborate with academic teams and external partners to design, implement, and evaluate professional development opportunities that support lifelong learning and enhance the capabilities of healthcare professionals.
You will also undertake scholarly activity, maintain or work towards being research active and contribute to the School’s commercial activity and innovation practices, aligned to the School Strategy.
We would welcome applications from anyone in a healthcare discipline (related to the School) and who holds registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council / Health and Care Professions Council.
What we can offer you:
- A full time, permanent position
- A competitive salary, excellent pension scheme and generous annual leave allowance.
- Up to 50% hybrid working in line with our current policy.
- You will be supported to engage in scholarship and research for your professional and personal development.
- We are an equal opportunities employer.
- We are committed to the health and wellbeing of our staff and to the sustainability of our environment.
RGU's ultra-modern campus, located on the outskirts of the vibrant and prosperous city of Aberdeen, offers a superb place to live, work and develop your career. A relocation package is available to assist with your transition to RGU, where you’ll enjoy working in one of the most impressive university settings in the UK, with first-class educational infrastructure and outstanding sporting and leisure facilities, all set against a stunning rural backdrop on the banks of the river Dee. More information can be found on our relocation pages.
For informal enquiries please contact Laura Binnie, Dean of School (l.m.binnie@rgu.ac.uk) or Dr Julie Jones, Associate Dean (j.c.jones@rgu.ac.uk).
To apply, please submit your CV along with a cover letter detailing your suitability for the role against the requirements set out in the person specification.
Job Description
RESPONSIBLE TO: Associate Dean
RESPONSIBLE FOR: Academic staff
PURPOSE OF POST: Supported by the Dean of School and the wider leadership team, the Principal Lecturer (PL) for Partnerships and Portfolio Development will provide strategic and academic leadership to a team of educators, promoting excellence in teaching, research, and professional practice. This distinctive role combines leadership of a high-performing team with strategic responsibility for the continued development and enhancement of the School’s partnerships and professional development portfolio. A key focus will be on expanding national and transnational education (TNE), fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and strengthening partnership agreements to support innovation and sustainable growth. Additionally, the PL will champion forward-thinking approaches to professional development, and postgraduate education, ensuring the School’s portfolio remains responsive to the evolving needs of healthcare professionals and aligned with institutional and global priorities.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES:
- Lead and support academic staff, promoting excellence and collaboration.
- Line manage academic staff, including workload allocation and supporting their ongoing performance and professional development.
- Lead initiatives that enhance interdisciplinary and partnership working, both within the institution and with external stakeholders.
- Contribute to the operational delivery of our portfolio.
- Oversee the development, delivery, and continuous enhancement of post-registration/professional development programmes.
- Ensure curricula are aligned with professional standards, sector needs, and emerging trends in healthcare education.
- Lead innovative curriculum design and development to ensure programmes are responsive to current and emerging workforce.
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with professional bodies, healthcare providers, and other educational institutions.
- Represent the School in national and international forums related to professional development and post-registration education.
- Identify opportunities for collaboration, partnership, consultancy, transnational education, and knowledge exchange to enhance the institution’s profile and impact.
- Contribute to research, dissemination, and evaluation of innovative professional development initiatives.
- Contribute to the School’s strategic planning, particularly in areas relating to workforce development, continuing professional education, and partnership working.
- Advise on policy and strategic decisions related to post-registration education and professional development initiatives.
- Undertake teaching duties (via lectures, practicals, seminars, tutorials etc) and associated assessment duties, or as otherwise required by the Dean of School/Associate Dean.
Person Specification
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
Qualifications and Professional Memberships
- Doctoral level qualification in a relevant discipline or working towards
- MSc in discipline relevant to the School
- NMC or HCPC registered
- Fellowship of Advance HE
Knowledge
- Strong understanding of current professional practices within the designated discipline.
- Knowledge of the regulatory frameworks and standards governing professional practice and education within the relevant discipline.
Experience
- Extensive experience in the design, delivery, and evaluation of teaching, learning, and assessment within a university environment, including active involvement in quality assurance processes.
- Demonstrable experience of success in leading postgraduate / transnational education portfolios.
- Demonstrable experience of creating or working within partnership agreements.
- Evidence of leading and participating actively in internal and external networks, professional bodies, committees, national working groups and external partnerships.
- Proven track record of successfully meeting the educational standards set by professional regulators in international contexts beyond the UK.
- A clear commitment to excellence in teaching and learning, with a strong focus on personal and professional development.
- Significant experience of course/programme leadership and/or staff coordination.
- Experience of working with regulatory and professional bodies.
- Experience of providing leadership relating to teaching activities.
- Experience of managing and implementing projects and strategic initiatives.
- Experience of managing deployment, performance and development of staff.
DESIRABLE
Qualifications and Professional Memberships
- Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching
Experience
- National/international recognition through academic or professional networks.
- A sustained record of nationally and/or internationally recognised outputs that demonstrate significant impact, underpinned by originality, academic rigour, and relevance.
Behaviours
- Behaviour 1: Communication - Ability to receive, understand and convey information requiring careful explanation and information of a complex or conceptual nature, in a clear and accurate manner.
- Behaviour 2: Team Development - Experience of providing advice or guidance to new starts delivering training or instruction to others on specific tasks or activities.
- Behaviour 3: Service Delivery - Experience of exploring and adapting a service to meet customers’ expectations and also identifying ways of improving standards.
- Behaviour 4: Teaching and Learning Support - Experience of providing standard information or delivering teaching or training, designing content or learning materials within existing frameworks and developing innovative approaches to learning experience and the curriculum.
- Behaviour 5: Decision Making - Experience of using own judgement to make decisions, making collaborative decisions with others to reach conclusions and providing advice or information that will influence the decisions of others.
- Behaviour 6: Pastoral Care and Welfare - Experience of calming and reassuring those with work/study related problems who may be experiencing distress and dealing with difficult welfare situations or confidential matters.
