Information Pack
Development and Marketing Manager
General Information about Open Awards ........................................................................ 2
How to Apply ................................................................................................................... 6
Job Description ............................................................................................................... 7
Person Specification...................................................................................................... 12
OCNNWR trading as Open Awards is a company Limited by Guarantee
Registered No. 5462874 Registered Charity No. 1113612
General Information about Open Awards
Introduction
Set up in 1981, Open College Network North West Region (trading as Open Awards)
has been in business for over 30 years. We are a Company Limited by Guarantee and a
registered charity. We rebranded in 2011 and now offer a portfolio of qualifications
under our brand name Open Awards.
Open Awards is based in Liverpool and currently employs 31 full-time and part-time
staff and a number of external moderators who are currently contracted on an annual
basis. The range of services we offer is extensive as we aim to deliver an effective and
efficient service.
We welcome applications from all sectors and communities and are able to make
specific arrangements and adjustments for candidates whose circumstances require
this.
What We Do
Open Awards is a partnership of many different organisations, including Further
Education Colleges, Higher Education Institutions, Voluntary and Community
Organisations, and Employers. We are an Awarding Organisation recognised and
regulated by Ofqual to develop and approve units and qualifications for inclusion in the
register of regulated Qualifications. We are also recognised by the Quality Assurance
Agency for Higher Education (QAA) as an Access Validating Agency (AVA) to develop
and approve Diplomas leading to entry to Higher Education.
We work with education and training organisations to promote quality and access in
education and training so that individual learners can obtain nationally recognised credit
and qualifications for achievements.
Open Awards encourages the development of qualifications to meet the needs of adults
under-represented in education and training. We work with schools to develop
alternative qualifications for learners. Each year thousands of learners use our credits to
progress on to other courses and qualifications in Further and Higher Education, in the
community and in the workplace.
Open Awards seeks to:

Improve education and training opportunities for learners;

Ensure flexibility of learning opportunities;

Provide progression opportunities through credit accumulation and transfer
arrangements; and

Provide and enhance equality of opportunity in all aspects of the learning
environment.
The vision, mission and values of Open Awards are:
Vision: To change lives through learning.
Mission Statement: To support educational achievement for all learners.
Values:

Excellence
To exceed standards in all we do, inspire excellence in our staff, centres and learners, and
deliver a personalised customer service that surpasses expectations.

Respect
To foster a culture of respect and inclusiveness, being receptive to each other and
customers, and acting with integrity.

Innovation
To listen, learn, discover and develop; to respond effectively to and invest in our staff,
centres and learners.

Aspiration
We strive to be visionary and influential
Open Awards Services
Open Awards offers a high quality accreditation and certification service for education
and training. There are many benefits of working with Open Awards:

Value for money, including reasonable recognition and certification charges and
a not-for-profit ethos.

Contact with knowledgeable and responsive staff that have curriculum expertise
and offer detailed professional support.

Access to a network of education and training organisations.

An efficient administrative and certification service, with clear service standards.

A commitment to promoting wider access to learning, equality of opportunity and
recognition of achievement.

Access to a comprehensive range of services, support workshops and training.
In particular Open Awards offers access to:

Full advice and support for Open Awards accreditation, units and qualifications;

A bank of approved units of achievement and qualifications;

Staff development activities and curriculum forums to support networking, good
practice and collaboration, and a range of specific training activities;
Staffing
Open Awards has several teams with specific functions across the organisation.
As part of our commitment to excellent customer service each provider works with a
named Business Relationship Manager, Quality Reviewer/Lead Moderator and member
of the Customer Service Team.
The Business Development Team is responsible for working with providers to promote
our qualifications to organisations across the country to increase the business base and
meet the need of their learners. Open Awards has over 300 organisations who are
providers of our qualifications in total and 22 who currently offer our Access to HE
Diploma. There is a dedicated Business Relationship Manager for our Access to HE
providers.
Quality Team - this is led by our Head of Quality who works with our Quality Reviewers
and Moderators/Verifiers who have responsibility for all aspects of quality assurance
and for supporting quality improvement. Open Awards is also an Access Validating
Agency (AVA) which is regulated by QAA.
The Customer Service Administration Team is responsible for the administration of
our services to organisations. Working with providers to ensure all the
courses/qualifications they offer are registered with Open Awards and that learners are
registered on all courses/qualifications running. The team works together to ensure the
highest service standards to our providers from Centre Recognition through to
certification of learners.
The Central Services Team supports the organisation dealing with Finance, Marketing,
Information Management and Clerical Administration. Each organisation has an internal
support team of which central service team members are an integral part. We rely
heavily on IT services to complete the day to day business of Open Awards and our
financial systems are linked to our operational database. The Central Services Team
ensure our operational systems run smoothly and regularly produce reports on all
activity to monitor and improve customer service. The team also provide detailed
reports to our customers and regulators.
How to Apply
Candidates should complete the enclosed application form together with a supporting
statement outlining how they meet the criteria for the post (max two sides A4).
Completed forms should be returned to:
Eve Burgess
Director of Corporate Services
Open Awards
Estuary Commerce Park,
17 De Havilland Drive
Speke
Liverpool
Email application to:[email protected]
The closing date for applications for the post is Monday 11th May 2015.
Open Awards
Job Description
TITLE OF POST:
Development and Marketing Manager
RESPONSIBLE TO:
Head of Business & Strategy
STATUS:
Full Time Permanent
GRADE:
Management
FUNCTIONS OF POST:
To collate proposals for unit & qualification development, funding and review and
present these to the scrutiny panel for agreement to proceed to development. Working
with others as appropriate to develop units and qualifications and submit to the
regulator.
To utilise the findings from scrutiny panels to submit qualifications to the relevant body
for funding purposes.
To monitor the Scope of Recognition to ensure it meets our requirements and develop a
Plan of Provision for qualifications which is informed by market intelligence and includes
a cost/benefit analysis. Oversee the monitoring and review of the Plan and Recognition.
Manage the review process for Units and Qualifications via the Unit Review Group
(URG) and actions of the group via the Unit Review Action Group.
To monitor updates to QCF/RITS/Qualification and funding developments ongoing and
as required.
To manage the staff involved in the product and development processes, including
Business Relationship Managers and Product Development Officer.
To be a member of the Management Team and provide day to day support for the
effective and efficient operation of the organisation
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
a) Functional Responsibilities
1)
To co-ordinate market intelligence for qualification development & ensure this is
reported and discussed within the Management Team.
2)
To monitor and review qualifications, ensuring they meet Regulatory requirements
and the Open Awards Operational Plan.
3)
To ensure Open Awards policies and procedures for product development
including market research and evidence of demand are adhered to, and further
developed as required. Including cost/benefit analysis for all product development;
and agree this with the Head of Business & Strategy.
4)
To manage the implementation and on-going review of Open Awards products;
and to allocate roles and responsibilities within the Business Development team
for development of a qualification through to completion:
 Hold regular team meetings to capture additional market data
 Identify and manage staff for product development including externally
contracted staff
 Allocate new units for initial scrutiny
 Agree dates for scrutiny panels for qualifications
 Attend scrutiny panels and agree reports.
5)
To develop product surround as appropriate.
6)
With the Head of Business and Strategy manage the review process for Units and
Qualifications including holding meetings to review and approve units, qualification
titles and rules of combination.
7)
Develop and enhance relationships with relevant stakeholders and Ofqual.
8)
To maintain and evaluate business development systems, policies and procedures
in line with regulatory and funding requirements; and with the Head of Business
and Strategy update these to ensure continuous improvement. Liaise with the
Head of Quality regarding the validity, risk and regulatory compliance.
9)
To appoint consultants where specialist expertise is required for qualification
development with the Head of Business and Strategy.
10) To analyse and make use of regular progress to date reports and monitor the use
of units and qualifications.
11) To manage and oversee the production of Qualification Guides ensuring they are
fit for purpose.
b) Management Responsibilities
12) To work as a member of the Management Team and support the effective and
efficient operation of Open Awards by:
 Liaising with staff across Open Awards and disseminating information to assist
them in their job role.
 Undertake problem solving and deal with day to day issues both within the
operational area and across Open Awards.
 Support the work of the team by meeting with other members and other staff on
a regular basis.
 Work together with Open Awards Managers and Senior Officers to deal with
issues and queries
 To lead, manage and develop direct reportees; undertaking appraisal and
performance review as required.
c)
General Responsibilities
13) To travel to and work from any site that the duties of the job may require
14) To carry out any other duties as specified, from time to time by the Management
Team
15) To represent Open Awards at a local and national level
16) To support the organisation’s commitment to equality and diversity and to promote
non-discriminatory practices in all aspects of the work undertaken.
17) It must be understood that every employee has a responsibility to ensure that their
work complies with all statutory requirements and with Open Awards policies, and
to ensure that all work functions are undertaken in accordance with health and
safety legislation, codes of practice, Open Awards Health and Safety policy, and
the Mission, Vision and Values of Open Awards.
18) To disclose any incident, act, conviction, finding, disqualification or proceeding
which may lead to consideration of the suitability to act as a Senior Officer of the
organisation. This post is subject to a Standard Disclosure.
Personal Attributes
-
Confident strategic thinker capable of understanding policy and regulatory
requirements
-
Excellent written and oral communications skills including the ability to address
audiences of varying sizes
-
Ability to attend and participate in national Forums and meetings
-
Passionate about education
-
Attention to regulatory and legal requirements
-
Ability to work as part of a strategic Management Team and provide leadership
across the organisation
This job description is not intended to be either prescriptive or exhaustive; it is issued as
a framework to outline the main areas of responsibility at the time of writing.
Job Description Updated April 2015
Person Specification
Post Title: Development and Marketing Manager
Note to Applicants: This Person Specification identifies the criteria required for this
post. Applicants should address these within your application.
CRITERIA
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
ESSENTIAL /
DESIRABLE
Qualifications
and Training
1. Professional or Vocational Qualification in a commercial,
public or education sector at Level 4 or above
DESIRABLE
2. Evidence of continuing professional development
Experience
3. Extensive knowledge and expertise in education, training
and assessment.
ESSENTIAL
ESSENTIAL
4. Management skills – the ability to plan and deliver to
targets
ESSENTIAL
5. Up to date knowledge of current developments in
education including regulatory activities.
ESSENTIAL
6. A knowledge and understanding of credit based
qualifications.
ESSENTIAL
7. Up to date knowledge of the work of Regulators
ESSENTIAL
8. An understanding of current issues in the post-14 learning
and skills sectors
ESSENTIAL
CRITERIA
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
ESSENTIAL /
DESIRABLE
9. Recent experience of teaching in the 14-19 or post-16
sector
DESIRABLE
10. Experience of delivering staff development or training
Skills/Abilities
11. Strong negotiation and facilitation skills
ESSENTIAL
12. Strong interpersonal skills
ESSENTIAL
13. Confident in the use of ICT
ESSENTIAL
14. High level communication skills both verbal and written
ESSENTIAL
15. Ability to attend and participate in national Forums and
meetings, and address audiences of varying sizes.
ESSENTIAL
16. Ability to work on own initiative within agreed targets and
goals
17. The ability to initiate and develop good practice and to
contribute to the strategic development of the
organisation, working as part of a strategic Management
Team and providing leadership.
Commitment
Personal
Attributes
DESIRABLE
ESSENTIAL
ESSENTIAL
18. A commitment to Equality & Diversity.
ESSENTIAL
19. Commitment to customer services.
ESSENTIAL
20. Confident strategic thinker
ESSENTIAL
21. Willing to undertake staff development activities
ESSENTIAL
CRITERIA
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
ESSENTIAL /
DESIRABLE
22. Be adaptable, flexible and open to change.
ESSENTIAL
23. Willingness to travel.
DESIRABLE
24. Current driving licence
DESIRABLE
25. Subject to Standard Disclosure