Curriculum Manager

We are currently recruiting a Curriculum Manager for a Permanent contract.
This role is hybrid, both working from home and in our Oxford hub. We expect you to work in the hub minimal once per month, but probably more (especially initially).

We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly between home and the hub to suit their needs and preferences, in line with our hybrid working policy.
Colleagues are able to work their hours flexibly, in line with core business hours and requirements. We also offer formalised flexible working agreements.

The starting salary is £49,780 per annum.

To apply, please send a CV and cover letter to HRsupport@actuaries.org.uk by the closing date of 1 February 2024.

Purpose of the job

Contributing to the development and delivery of the Engagement and Learning directorates' strategic objectives, the Senior Curriculum Executive will be responsible for:

• Supporting the Head of Curriculum by leading on the development of the IFoA Associate and Fellowship Qualification, syllabus and Learning materials.
• Leading on the development, design and evolution of the IFoA Associate and Fellowship Competency Framework.
• Producing high quality Qualifications documents, setting the timescales and working closely with module leads and examiners.
• Ensuring the quality of Qualification documentation through on time and consistent delivery of process, identifying any areas of improvement
• Working closely with subject matter experts and other external suppliers

Dimensions

This role sits within the Engagement and Learning group and will work with a large network of external professionals (including subject matter experts, examiners, and assessors etc.) without whom the IFoA would unable to deliver its Qualifications.

The postholder will be responsible for the development and evolution of the pre associate and fellowship and the development of the syllabus and core readings for all subjects. This documentation ensures ensure that over 15,000 candidates can sit an assessment twice a year to become an IFoA Associate or Fellow to the standard required.

The postholder will also be leading work to develop and evolve the associate and fellowship competency framework. Over 15,000 students study for exams each year and 15,000 members and employers will engage with the competency framework.

Principal accountabilities

• To support the Head of Curriculum with the delivery of the qualification documentation, ensuring that the process is carried out within the required timeframes and to the set standards. 
• Identify changes to the syllabus and design learning materials to enhance the curriculum by working closely with module leads and examination teams.
• Manage the yearly process of updating the syllabus and define and work to an agreed set of timescales. Liaise with a wide range of internal and external colleagues to ensure that it meets the needs of the actuarial profession.
• Identify and make changes to the curriculum development process to ensure that it remains efficient and timely
• Work closely with colleagues in the Qualification and Standards, Accreditation and Quality and Assessment delivery teams to inform them of planned changes.
• Developing learning content to support the syllabus and work with external tutorial providers to ensure that this is embedded into their offerings.Research best practice in learning material development and make suggestions on improvements to processes and content.

Main contacts

Internal

• Head of Curriculum
• Head of Learning Content and Partnership
• Head of Accreditation and Quality
• Head of Assessment Delivery
• Head of Qualification and Standards
• Assessment Executives
• Quality executives
• Operations Team
• Engagement and Learning Staff

External

• Chief Examiners
• Examining teams
• Module Teams
• Students
• Suppliers
• Stakeholder group (including various committees, boards and employers)
• External tutorial / examination prep providers

Decision-making and complexity

• The post holder has to work on their own initiative to undertake a variety of complex tasks. They will make decisions on curriculum changes after seeking input form a range of colleagues.
• Lead on the development of annual planning to update the syllabus, core reading and competency framework.
• Propose new processes and changes to templates or other documentation in line with adult learning and assessment principles.
• Handling data within GPDR guidelines and understanding when and where this data can be shared.
• The post holder has to be able to appropriately apply regulations, policies and procedures in a busy and fast-moving environment and judge when to diversify from those without putting the reputation of the IFoA at risk.
• Prioritise and manage their workload and that of colleagues independently within general guidelines using judgement to resolve queries and escalate issues which require further attention.

Impact

As a key team within Engagement and Learning, the team provide the assurances that those acquiring the IFoA Associate or Fellowship qualification have met the required standards and are fit for purpose. The Curriculum Executive is a key role in this team as they will support the provision of curriculum documentation and information to a high standard and in line with adult learning and assessment principles. Any errors relating to the curriculum are very high profile and attract attention from high level committees and volunteers and, potentially external stakeholders such as the FRC and employers.

The Curriculum Manager will support the Head of Curriculum to deliver work on time, to high standard, ensures that all stakeholders are well managed and looked after as well as ensures that all tasks can be completed. Successful delivery of this work will impact the wider actuarial profession, ensuring that we have mapped out the skills and knowledge needed now and into the future

Knowledge and experience

Essential experience

• Experience within a professional body or further / higher education provider
• Experience in designing and evolving course/subject syllabus, core reading or similar documents from first principles.
• Experience of working with a range of Subject Matter Experts to explore, design, and map content for subject/course syllabus and core reading.
• Experience of applying adult learning theory to the delivery of education and learning to adult learners
• Ability to work independently and as part of a small team.
• Ability to work in a flexible, proactive way, supporting colleagues across the team as necessary.
• Able to maintain high levels of accuracy and a calm, methodical approach while working under sustained pressure at times.
• A high standard of organisational skills including the ability to work effectively to achieve tight deadlines.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to develop effective relationships at all levels and the ability to seek cooperation from busy colleagues.

Desirable experience

• Experience with setting exams
• Evidence of commitment to professional development.
• Working with volunteers.

IFoA’s values

The role holder must be an ambassador for and demonstrate the IFoA Values in all aspects of their work

• Member-focused: We put members at the heart of everything we do
• Action-oriented: We work hard, we work smart, and we take pride in getting things done, valuing action over perfection
• Forward- and outward-looking: We’re always looking to be bold and improve, innovate and take the next step
• Team-driven: We work in partnership, advancing together as one IFoA

Alternative format and adjustments

Please email the HR Team if you require:

• any information regarding our vacancies in an alternative format
• any adjustments to support you to fully participate in any part of the application and recruitment process

Any information shared will be used only to enable us to make reasonable adjustments to support candidates to participate in the recruitment process. It will not inform selection decisions.

You can reach us at HRsupport@actuaries.org.uk.