Position Description – Academic Developer

Position Details

Position Title: Academic Developer

Position Number: TBC

College/Portfolio: Education

Campus Location: Based at the City campus, but may be required to work and/or be based at other
campuses of the University.

Classification: Academic Level B

Employment Type: Continuing

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

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Portfolio/Group
The Education Portfolio is headed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and Vice President who leads the
planning and implementation of the University’s strategies related to RMIT’s academic programs and the RMIT
student experience. The Portfolio is responsible for services to support the quality of RMIT programs, including the
professional development of academic staff, continuous improvement of the student experience, learning and
teaching outcomes and the management of learning and research information sources.

The Education Portfolio plays a key role in empowering students to access education, participate actively in the life
of the University and achieve successful and fulfilling lives beyond graduation. The provision of a stimulating and
satisfying experience for students is a priority for the University (http://www.rmit.edu.au/about/studentexperience).

Position Summary
Academic Development within RMIT’s Learning and Teaching Academy is responsible for the identification
and provision of flexible professional development programs that are aligned to the business needs and
support the Learning and Teaching goals of the university. Professional Development is a core service in
ensuring that an organisation has the right skills and capabilities to achieve its desired goals in a changing
landscape.

The Academic Developer is responsible for providing leadership in learning and teaching in relation to the
development of an education environment that aligns entirely with RMIT’s strategy. The incumbent will engage
with University, RMIT Studios, and Portfolio policies, priorities and strategic initiatives to improve student learning
outcomes in programs and courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Reporting Line
Reports to: Director RMIT Learning & Teaching Academy
Direct reports: 0

Organisational Accountabilities
RMIT University is committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of its staff. RMIT and its staff must comply with a
range of statutory requirements, including equal opportunity, occupational health and safety, privacy and trade
practice. RMIT also expects staff to comply with its policy and procedures, which relate to statutory 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
• Provide leadership in learning and teaching in relation to the development of an education environment that
aligns entirely with the University’s Strategic Plan Goal 1. A Transformative Student Experience.
• Work in the development of new online and blended courses and programs, collaboratively with school-based
academic staff, the College DPVCL&T, Deputy Deans L&T and the ADG’s within Colleges. This includes
curriculum design for both wholly new offerings, and for offerings derived from existing material.
• Design, deliver and evaluate professional development activities and resources that facilitate the
implementation of University policies and University and division strategic priorities related to learning and
teaching.
• Apply an evidence-based approach to support academic staff to design and employ blended and online
learning and teaching strategies that are sensitive to the needs of learners from a wide range of educational,
social, and cultural backgrounds.
• Provide leadership in one or more areas of education specialisation (learning and teaching development,
employability, digital learning, technology-enhanced-learning, assessment, e-assessment, e-facilitation,
learning analytics, curriculum design and development, evaluation methods or quality assurance approaches
for higher education) and actively contribute to the University’s research and scholarship in these areas.

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• Actively participate in team initiatives and projects and cooperate with team members in a manner that reflects
a commitment to team goals and objectives, effective communication, information sharing and problem solving
practices.
• Liaise with Colleges/Divisions/Schools and participate in other groups inside and outside of the University to
help promote the aims of RMIT Studios.
• Undertake teaching activities where appropriate.
• Engage with University, RMIT Studios, and Portfolio policies, priorities and strategic initiatives to improve
student learning outcomes in programs and courses at all levels.

Key Selection Criteria

1. Demonstrated experience in the development and delivery, including teaching, and evaluation of curriculum
that engages diverse cohorts of learners within the tertiary education context.
2. Demonstrated understanding of theories and practices of learning and teaching in tertiary education and
demonstrated scholarship in these areas, with a particular emphasis on the use of digital learning and
educational technology to support student learning.
3. Demonstrated ability to work strategically with a wide variety of staff within RMIT to support RMIT Studios
priorities and strategies.
4. Experience with and capacity to manage multiple concurrent learning and teaching projects.
5. Demonstrated capacity to evaluate the effectiveness of learning and teaching in tertiary education.
6. Demonstrated research or professional experience in an area of education specialisation such as learning and
teaching development, employability, digital learning, technology-enhanced-learning, assessment, e-
assessment, e-facilitation, learning analytics, curriculum design and development, evaluation methods or
quality assurance approaches for higher education.
7. Demonstrated understanding of, and commitment to, equity and social justice within a tertiary education
context.
8. Highly-developed interpersonal and communication and interpersonal skills appropriate to working
effectively in a range of contexts and settings with a range of people, to achieve agreed outcomes and
reconcile different views.

Qualifications
Postgraduate or Doctoral qualification in a relevant discipline, or equivalent professional/industry experience. A
focus on employability in either research or teaching practice is an advantage.

Endorsed: Signature: Approved: Signature:

Name: Name: Belinda Tynan
Title: Title: DVCE & Vice-President
Date: Date:

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