Job Description – Head of Department, English for University

Position Details
Position Title: Head of Department, English for University
Division/ Centre: Centre of English Language
Department: English for University
Campus Location: Based at the Saigon South campus, but may be required to work and/or be based
at other campuses of RMIT Vietnam.
Job Grade/ Classification: PS9
Time Fraction: 1.0

RMIT University
RMIT is a global university of technology, design and enterprise. Our mission is to help shape the world through
research, innovation, teaching and engagement, and to create transformative experiences for our students, getting
them ready for life and work. One of Australia’s original educational institutions founded in 1887, RMIT University
now has 82,000 students including 12,000 at postgraduate level.

The University enjoys an international reputation for excellence in professional and practical education, applied and
innovative research, and engagement with the needs of industry and the cities in which we are located. With three
campuses in Melbourne (Central Business District, Brunswick and Bundoora), two in Vietnam (Hanoi and Ho Chi
Minh City) and a centre in Barcelona, Spain, RMIT is a truly global university. RMIT also offers programs through
partners in Singapore, Hong Kong, mainland China, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Belgium, Germany, Austria and The
Netherlands, and enjoys research and industry partnerships on every continent.

RMIT prides itself on the strong industry links it has forged over its 129-year history. Collaboration with industry is
integral to the University’s leadership in applied research and education, and to the development of highly skilled,
globally focused graduates. We are a 5-Star university under the QS Stars international evaluation system, and are
21st in the world among universities less than 50 years old (2015 QS Top 50 Under 50 index).

RMIT features among the world’s top 200 institutions in 13 of the 30 subject areas in the 2015 QS subject rankings.
We are among the world’s top 100 universities in Art and Design; Architecture and the Built Environment;
Engineering (Civil and Structural; Electrical and Electronic; and Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing);
Computer Science; and Business and Management Studies. The University’s research was ranked among the best
in the world in the 2015 Excellence in Research for Australia evaluation. RMIT was rated “well above world
standard” in 13 fields and “above world standard” in a further nine fields.
www.rmit.edu.au

RMIT Vietnam
RMIT University Vietnam (RMIT Vietnam) is a campus of RMIT University. RMIT Vietnam is creating an innovative
research, teaching and learning culture. We are committed to providing internationally recognised high-quality
education and professional training for our students, clients and members of the community.

As an internationally recognised Australian university based in Asia, RMIT Vietnam is assisting in the development
of human resources capability in Vietnam and the region.

Degrees are awarded by RMIT University in Australia, allowing Vietnamese students to receive an overseas
education without having to leave home. Given its international profile, RMIT Vietnam is also host to students from
Australia and many other countries. All degree programs are recognised by the Vietnamese Ministry of Education
and Training (MOET) and are subject to regulation by the Australian Tertiary Education Quality and Standards
Agency. The academic programs span from vocational English through to undergraduate, post-graduate and Ph.D.
programs. All teaching at RMIT Vietnam is in English.
www.rmit.edu.vn

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Position Summary
Reporting to the Head of Centre, Centre of English Language, the Head of Department is responsible for the
leadership, direction and management of the English for University program, including but not restricted to:
 Providing academic leadership of EU in the Centre of English Language, in respect of teaching and
learning, and program delivery and management;
 Ensuring a consistent level of quality is delivered across all courses under their management and
achievement of learning outcomes is evident in all classes
 Contributing to the strategic direction setting of the Centre by working collaboratively with members of the
Centre executive team to plan and develop programs and commercial activities and to ensure the viability
of the Department’s activity.
 Managing the development of product and course proposals, marketing content, curriculum, assessment,
feedback, metrics, reporting systems and policy and procedural documents as relevant to the department’s
courses and programs

Reporting Line
Reports to: Head of Centre

Direct reports: Academic English Managers and Senior Educators of the Department, and Educators
through their Academic English Managers
English for University Student Support (National Coordinator)
English for University Assessment and Quality Assurance (National Coordinator)
EDRC Liaison (National) Academic English Managers, Senior Educators

Organisational Accountabilities
RMIT Vietnam is committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of its staff members. RMIT Vietnam and its staff
members must comply with a range of Vietnamese legal and regulatory requirements, including foreign investment
& business, import & export, contracts & commerce, banking, finance & foreign exchange, labour, taxation, land &
premises, environment, and immigration. RMIT Vietnam expects all staff members to comply with its Code of
Conduct, policies and procedures, which relate to legal and regulatory requirements and our ways of working.

Appointees are accountable for completing training on these matters and ensuring their knowledge, and the
knowledge of their staff is up to date.

Key Accountabilities
1. Responsible for the overall quality of programs under EU, including, curriculum and assessment
development, systems of feedback and reporting and the department's overall achievement of specified
metrics of performance. Contribute to quality assurance by providing oversight of and reporting on Program
and Course Logs, Program Annual Reviews, program team meetings and student feedback mechanisms as
well as overseeing a program of teacher classroom observations for all teaching staff in their programs.
2. Provide leadership to the staff, develop appropriately skilled and motivated staff within the centre through
recruitment, performance management, fostering a culture of teamwork, and identifying relevant academic
staff professional development opportunities;
3. Develop appropriate networks and relationships internally and externally as required. Collaborate with RMIT
University Vietnam Marketing and Student Recruitment in the development of a marketing plan for the
department, coordinating program marketing/events at public forums and providing input into marketing
collaterals
4. Collaborate with other CEL management and specialist staff to plan, initiate, manage and evaluate
professional development for teaching and staff and managers in their programs; identify possible issues
and solutions in relation to operations or teaching and learning and communicate appropriate plans with the
Centre of English Language Executive Committee and teachers or administration staff as appropriate .
5. Assist the Head and Deputy Head of Centre on assigned projects and develop and implement the CEL
business development plan; Contribute to effective program budgeting and resource management by
assisting the Head of Centre and Centre Manager in determining, preparing and managing annual program
budgets
6. Ensure that the department complies with all applicable external and university regulatory requirements,
including RMIT Policies and Procedures, Vietnam and Australian legal and regulatory requirements and
develop relevant new policy or guideline documentation and procedures as required
7. Ensure curricula are appropriate, relevant, current and copyright compliant and aligned with industry
standards as well, that curricula is utlising technology in accordance to the CEL Digital Content Strategy.
8. Oversee the systems management and continual improvement of the quality of English for University
Student Support services and their integration with the University’s Student Academic Success Program. As
well, ensure an active commitment to student services and support, and to the enhancement of the student
experience in English for University courses;

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9. Contribute to effective student relationship management by managing processes related to scholarship
committees, overseeing the quality of student advisement at a program level, assisting students with
program related issues, coordinating student induction at a program level, ensuring students’ equity of
access to education and managing the special administrative requirements of/for the program;
10. Carry out other duties (academic, operational or administrative) as required.

Key Selection Criteria

1. Demonstrated capability related to the effective leadership and management of language teaching programs.
2. Demonstrated ability to develop, implement and manage courses and administrative systems.
3. Ability to contribute to and support the strategic and operational directives for RMIT University of growth, quality
and market differentiation.
4. Well-developed interpersonal skills, including negotiation, liaison, cross cultural communication and report
writing skills.
5. Demonstrated capability to be an effective member of a management team where responsibilities span multiple
locations and where delivery of programs involves collaboration with fellow managers in a matrix reporting
structure.
6. A commitment to quality language education and an understanding of contemporary approaches to teaching
and learning that underpin English language programs at RMIT Vietnam.
7. Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and effectively manage varying workloads and respond to changing
priorities as required.
8. Ability to display appropriate behaviours in line with the position, as per the RMIT Behavioural Capability
Framework (Connectedness, Commitment to Excellence – Improve and Simplify; Imagination and Innovation;
Impact; Inclusion; Agility).

Qualifications and Checks

Mandatory
Degree plus CELTA or equivalent
Relevant Masters or postgraduate qualifications.
Experience at a management level in a language teaching organisation, at least 3 years
Industry experience relevant to the Course/s being managed

Preferred
Previous experience as head of a language teaching department or equivalent.

English Proficiency
English is the language of teaching and communication at RMIT Vietnam. For this role, the minimum requirement is
IELTS 7.5 (or equivalent, as outlined in the Recruitment, Selection and Onboarding Guidelines).
For any role, English Language Proficiency may also be proven by showing successful completion of secondary
education to a level qualifying to enter university study while being instructed through the medium of English, as
per the RMIT University recognised qualification list.

Work Permit
All foreign employees must adhere to the requirements for obtaining a valid visa and work permit in Vietnam.
These requirements are mandated by the Government and may be over and above the mandatory requirements
and key selection criteria. Work permit requirements are subject to change.

RMIT Vietnam accepts zero tolerance to non-adherence of the immigration laws of Vietnam.

Endorsed: Signature: Approved: Signature:

Name: Name:
Title: Title:
Date: Date:

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