Job description

The Director of Student Support for MBBS is an established Senior Academic responsible for leading academic and pastoral support across the programme, working with other MBBS Directors and senior members of Faculty in this area. A member of the Director’s Group, they will lead this activity mindful of markers such as the NSS to drive improvements in student experience, student learning and pastoral support, working with other senior members of Faculty, Professional Services Staff and NHS Placement Providers, to strategically tackle issues in this important area of education. This will include work with students with “overseas status” to ensure they feel supported and embedded in London learning, and in guiding this key area in the development of Educational Partnerships.  

They will work particularly closely with the Student Experience Team and Dean of Student Affairs across areas such as pastoral and academic support, professional behaviour, and reasonable adjustments work. They will strategically co-ordinate and lead work to support students with poor exam performance, and provide oversight for equality, diversity, and inclusion initiatives within GKT to ensure that all students feel supported and enabled to achieve.  

This post will be offered on an ​a fixed-term​ contract for five years in the first instance.   

This is a ​part-time​ post - ​60​% full time equivalent.  

The ideal candidate will be expected to be working as a clinician for the remaining 40% part of a full-time role in the relevant clinical specialty.

Key responsibilities

• To drive student support across the footprint of the school, coordinating the work of the senior personal tutors, Directors of Undergraduate Medical Education and stage leads in this area, for continuity and parity of student experience.  
• To lead and co-ordinate academic student support for students.  
• To provide continuity of student experience relating to pastoral support across the programme.  
• To act as a focus for inclusive educational practice within the school, working with the Faculty Vice Dean of People and Culture, for the benefit of the programme.  
• To work with academic and professional services colleagues to address student feedback relating to student support, from a variety of sources.  
• To work in partnership with the Head of Student Support, Faculty Education Services; ensuring intervention is timely, effective, and proportionate.  
• To work collaboratively to support other members of the senior team in delivering an excellent educational experience for students, mindful of King’s Strategic Vision 2029.  
• To pursue pedagogical scholarship related to the core functions of this role.  
• To work with academic and professional service colleagues to ensure that students undertaking a medical degree across the footprint of KCL MBBS programmes are aligned in terms of educational quality, assessment, and outcomes.  
• To support and develop academic, clinical, and professional services colleagues as appropriate to grow capacity and depth across the provision of student support. Informing and conducting PDR cycles and managing performance as required.  
• To liaise with colleagues across other UK medical schools, as appropriate, to support and inform the senior team.  
• To work closely with Faculty Education Services to support University Faculty and School initiatives, as appropriate.  
• To deputise for the Dean of Medical Education as appropriate. 

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience 

Essential criteria

1.      Primary medical Qualification   

2.      Educational Qualification: FHEA or equivalent  

3.      Registered with General Medical Council  

4.      Active participation in CPD and associated appraisal of Educational Role (either through NHS or University processes, to include up to date Equality and Diversity Training)  

5.      Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of undergraduate medical education and medical students in the modern-day context. 

6.      Understanding of both the GMC’s and QAA’s role in undergraduate medical education  

7.      Proven experience supporting students compassionately in a range of academic and pastoral scenarios in an efficient manner.  

8.      Proven experience in working with outside agencies and within GDPR requirements, for the support of students  

9.      Experience in working with diverse student populations inclusively and in developing support structures for the benefit of learners    

10.    Ability to work with a wide range of clinical and academic colleagues across University and NHS Trusts  

11.    Advanced skills in leading and managing an educational team  

12.    High level communication skills  

13.    The ability to problem solve and achieve desired results within programme constraints  

14.    Ability to work collaboratively with students and the Academic Centre to enhance outcomes and evaluation  

15.    Ability to persuade and influence colleagues   

Desirable criteria

1.      License to Practice with the General Medical Council