The posting
Your Responsibilities
The Opportunity:
This newly established leadership position will found and lead Gisma's Centre for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE) — the University's strategic driver of teaching quality, academic development, curriculum enhancement, digital and AI-enabled learning, student success, and industry engagement. The role is ambitious but realistic for Gisma's current size, with scope to grow as the Centre matures.
Key Activities & Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership for Teaching Excellence
- Lead the development and delivery of Gisma's Learning and Teaching Strategy, building an institutional culture of student-centred, innovative teaching and continuous enhancement of assessment and feedback practice.
Academic Development
- Lead academic induction, probation support, mentoring, peer learning and Continuing Professional Development (CPD), equipping staff to teach effectively in a digital, AI-enabled environment.
Curriculum Enhancement and Educational Innovation
- Work with Programme Directors to keep curricula current, interdisciplinary and future-focused — integrating AI, digital technologies and sustainability — while curriculum approval and quality assurance remain with AQSU.
Digital Learning and AI in Education
- Lead the responsible adoption of AI and educational technology, and drive continuous improvement of blended and online learning, including Gisma's Canvas environment.
Student Academic Success
- Establish an institution-wide academic skills programme (academic writing, research and critical thinking, digital and AI literacy) that strengthens student outcomes.
Industry Engagement, Employability and Future Skills
- Build employer and professional body partnerships — advisory panels, guest lectures, live projects and placements — to keep teaching relevant to workforce needs, and lead horizon-scanning on future skills.
Knowledge Exchange and Entrepreneurship Education
- Promote entrepreneurship education, challenge-based learning and industry collaboration as part of Gisma's wider knowledge exchange mission. This role excludes technology transfer, intellectual property, spin-outs and research funding, which sit within Gisma's future Research & Innovation function.
Communities of Practice and Collaboration
- Build Communities of Practice and support the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), working closely with AQSU, Heads of Department, Registry, Careers and Employability, Student Success and the Digital Learning Team.
Relationship with AQSU
CTLE and AQSU are distinct but complementary. CTLE leads teaching excellence, academic development, curriculum enhancement, educational innovation, AI in education, student success and industry engagement. AQSU retains ownership of academic quality assurance, governance, regulations, accreditation and compliance. The two units collaborate closely, particularly on curriculum review and teaching observation.
Your profile
Essential
- A PhD or equivalent doctoral qualification; a professorial title would be an advantage.
- Significant senior academic leadership experience, with a track record of leading teaching enhancement and academic development.
- Experience of curriculum enhancement, digital learning and supporting accreditation activity.
- Sound knowledge of the ESG 2015 quality standards and current developments in AI and digital education.
Key Skills
- Leadership and coaching, strategic planning, stakeholder management, project and change management, and data-informed decision-making.
Desirable
- Advance HE Fellowship (or equivalent); experience leading a Centre for Teaching and Learning; knowledge of the German Higher Education system and the BbgHG; familiarity with FIBAA, AACSB or ZEvA; experience of entrepreneurship education.
Key Performance Indicators:
- Academic staff engagement with CPD and development programmes.
- Delivery of an annual teaching enhancement and academic development programme.
- Student participation in academic skills provision.
- Curriculum enhancement and educational innovation projects supported.
- Employer and industry engagement activity delivered.
- Progress against institutional enhancement priorities agreed with the Vice President Academic.
First-Year Priorities:
- Establish the CTLE's structure and ways of working.
- Develop Gisma's Learning and Teaching Strategy.
- Launch induction, mentoring and CPD provision for academic staff.
- Launch academic skills support for students.
- Establish an employer advisory network.
- Agree a Teaching Observation Framework with AQSU.
Why us?
What We Offer:
- The opportunity to shape and lead a new strategic function at a growing, internationally minded university.
- A senior leadership role with genuine influence over Gisma's academic direction.
- A collaborative, international culture at our campus in Potsdam/Berlin, with ongoing personal and professional development.
Interested?
Then we look forward to hearing from you. Please send your application to Jobs at Gisma, including a CV, cover letter, relevant references, and your earliest possible start date.
Equal Opportunities Statement
As an employer, we are committed to equal opportunity and support for minorities. We do not discriminate based on ethnic origin, skin colour, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or legally protected status.
