Head of Partnership and Mentoring (Principal Lecturer)

Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) is a distinctive, unique institution, rooted in the Liverpool City Region and with a global presence. Our students and staff, past, present, and future, are the beating heart of our city and can be found in every corner of every industry and community. We couldn’t exist anywhere else and have shaped the city in which we belong. Working with the people of Liverpool to improve lives and support communities is at the heart of why we were founded and why we exist today.

We are seeking an exceptional individual to join our School of Education to lead our Initial Teacher Education (ITE) partnership and mentoring work. We have a long and proud history in teacher education, a reputation for outstanding graduates and Early Career Teachers, and an enviable network of committed partner schools.

Student experience is at the heart of everything we do. The quality of our ITE Programmes and the development of socially engaged teachers - delivered through a team of committed and forward-thinking academic teams, is recognised across our partnership and in the wider community. In their 2023 inspection, Ofsted identified an ambitious, research-driven curriculum, commitment to social justice, wellbeing of our student teachers and relationships with partner schools as particular strengths.

Reporting to the Head of Initial Teacher Education, you will be responsible for the strategic and operational needs of Partnership and Mentoring within ITE. This includes managing the professional placement experience for primary and secondary programmes in collaboration with Programme Leaders and the Partnership Team and ensuring compliance with statutory and internal quality assurance requirements.

You will also co-ordinate the Liaison Tutor and Lead Mentor requirements. This exciting position involves taking a proactive lead on partnership development such as supporting teacher/educational leader CPD and engaging with schools on research and knowledge exchange to strengthen practice and shared learning across schools in the region.

You will have a strong and nuanced strategic understanding of the UK teacher education landscape, including regulatory and inspection frameworks. As an innovative ITE leader, with a relevant undergraduate degree (with QTS), or PGCE (QTS) and holding a PhD, or professional qualification and significant related professional experience, you will join us as a key member of the School’s Management Team.

Evidence-based teaching and engagement in real-world research activity sets our team apart and we will be seeking a research and knowledge exchange leader with a proven track-record in our new appointment, along with the ability and attitude to inspire and collaborate for outstanding experience and outcomes for our students and partner schools.

In return, the Head of Partnership and Mentoring will be joining a passionate and committed community of academics and professional support staff which makes the School of Education at LJMU a special place to work and thrive.

Informal enquiries may be made in confidence to: Jane Gargan J.Gargan@ljmu.ac.uk  Head of Initial Teacher Education.

In return, we offer an excellent benefits package including generous annual leave entitlement, pension scheme, induction and development support as well as family-friendly policies.

This is an exciting time to join the university as we deliver the LJMU Strategy 2030 and its vision of LJMU as an inclusive civic university transforming lives and futures, by placing students at the heart of everything we do.

If you feel that this is the role you have been looking for and your skills and experience can make a real difference at LJMU, we look forward to hearing from you.

LJMU is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all background and communities irrespective of age, transgender status, disability, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity and religion or belief.  All our appointments are made on merit.

Please note all of our vacancies will be closed to applications at midnight on the advertised closing date, unless otherwise stated.