Academic Lead - Early Childhood Education (RELOCATION TO ADELAIDE)

Academic Lead – Early Childhood Education (UniSc Adelaide Campus) (RELOCATION TO ADELAIDE REQUIRED)

Location: Adelaide, South Australia

Classification: Higher Education: Academic Staff: Academic Level B (Lecturer) or C (Senior Lecturer). Appointment level dependent on skills, experience and responsibility

Employment type: Full-time Permanent (ECA employment contract)

Reporting line: Academic Director & Principal, UniSC Adelaide

The University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) has partnered with the Education Centre of Australia (ECA) to open a campus in Adelaide, offering a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs to international students, initially with programs from the UniSC Schools of Science, Technology and Engineering (STE), Business and Creative Industries, Education and Tertiary Access. Future program offerings are under consideration in other discipline areas.

We are seeking to appoint an experienced Academic Lead – Early Childhood Education Programs who will be responsible for all operational aspects of the academic delivery and governance of the Early Childhood degree programs offered at the Adelaide Campus. The position is broadly responsible for students’ academic experience at the Adelaide campus and performance against key Outcome-based goals (progression, attrition, and completion rates).

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing program and help shape early childhood education's future in the context of the Adelaide campus of the University of the Sunshine Coast. The ideal candidate will have a deep knowledge of early childhood teaching and classroom experience, including the ability to engage in the scholarship of teaching.

You will also teach/ tutor in several Early Childhood courses (subjects) and manage equipment and resources required for early childhood teaching. Part of the role will include liaising with and supervising students during professional experience placements.

You will be an ECA appointee assigned to the UniSC Adelaide campus, following confirmation by UniSC; and will report to the UniSC Adelaide Academic Director & Principal Professor Roberta Crouch. The position also offers an opportunity to play a significant academic leadership role in a growing and diverse campus community committed to quality, teamwork, and a collaborative education partnership.

Applications are encouraged from all sectors of the community. Tell us how we can make this job work for you. You will need to commence in time for launch of the Bachelor of Education Studies (Early Childhood) in Semester 2 2025.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure that all Early Childhood Education degree programs at the UniSC Adelaide Campus are delivered in compliance with the University’s academic and quality standards requirements and associated processes.
• Participate in UniSC internal and external course reviews/accreditation exercises, as required.
• Teach/ Tutor in several courses as part of the UniSC Adelaide Early Childhood Education programs in trimester study periods, as allocated by the Academic Director & Principal.
• Conduct student consultation and academic counselling for high-level cases to ensure that students remain motivated in their course and are aware of applicable UniSC policies and requirements such as work integrated learning (WIL) and academic integrity. Ensure timely feedback on assessment to support student learning.
• Ensure students identified at academic risk, are appropriately and consistently supported to ensure compliance and best practice.
• Identify synergies / operational efficiencies in current academic processes and governance requirements as they relate to the relevant discipline course delivery to ensure the academic portfolio operates under efficient and standardised processes.
• Develop a positive and proactive working relationship with all stakeholders, across UniSC generally to ensure that academic delivery requirements are resourced and met.
• Ongoing development of an academic team across disciplines, comprising full-time academics, study support staff, and sessional academic staff.
• Undertake appropriate scholarly and professional activities to maintain scholarly standing.

As the successful candidate, you will ideally have:

• Masters qualification
• Ideally, completion or near completion of a Doctoral qualification in a relevant field; or equivalent accreditation and standing, including registration or eligibility to gain registration with the South Australian Teacher Registration Board.
• Experience in teaching higher education programs to international and domestic students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Knowledge and experience of the Australian curriculum content and pedagogy in early childhood education and the early years of primary school
• Experience in enhancing student academic outcomes, whilst assuring quality and standards
• Demonstrated experience in academic governance (namely teaching and learning-related and associated quality assurance requirements).
• Knowledge of student candidature management – including managing students at academic risk; and an understanding of academic support services/functions.
• Knowledge of the National Code of Practice (2018).
• Superior organisational, communication, and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to work with students and staff from varied cultural backgrounds.
• Experience with third-party course delivery through managed campus partnerships between a university and private sector education provider (desirable).
• Commitment to Teamwork.

In return, we offer you:

• Company-paid parental leave (14 weeks at 100% of current pay or 28 weeks at 50% of current pay)
• Employee assistance program with Uprise (6 session per year for staff and direct family members)
• Support through 25% on the full fees for courses offered by ECA as Staff Education Assistance
• Professional development programs
• Travel insurance discount
• Wellbeing brands discounts
• Free access to LinkedIn Learning

EEO Statement

At ECA, we champion our organisational values which includes ‘Celebrate diversity and inclusion', thus we strive to be a place of growth where everyone can continually thrive.

We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds including but not limited to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, people living with a disability, women, people who identify as LGBTIQA+, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

This position is open to all Australian Citizens, Permanent Residents and applicants who hold a current and valid Visa with full working rights in Australia.

How to apply/ Further information

Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation addressing the Selection Criteria in the Position Description) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page. Due to the expected high volume of responses only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt, and interviews may be conducted throughout the application process.

For a copy of the full Position Description or further information about this role please contact the UniSC Academic Director & Principal, Professor Roberta Crouch. Email: rcrouch@usc.edu.au

Relocation support can be provided if required.

Thank you for your interest in the position with the ECA Group at University of Sunshine Coast, Adelaide Campus!