Dissertation Advisor - Management

Position Title: Dissertation Advisor - Management

Location: Remote

Reports to: Programme Director

Employment Type: Freelance

We are seeking online lecturers with a strong Business or Management dissertation supervision background to join our dynamic online faculty.

In this role, you will lead and support the online MSc or MBA students to complete their dissertations or work-based projects, working in close collaboration with our Russell Group partner, the University of Liverpool. Successful candidates will also receive Honorary Recognised Teacher (Online) status from the University.

We are looking for individuals with experience in any of the following subject areas:

• Finance and Accounting

• Leadership in business, non-profit and government organisations including healthcare

• Marketing and digital marketing

• Project Management

• Human Resource Management

• Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

• Managing artificial intelligence in organisations  

• Sustainability and Corporate Citizenship

• Strategy

• Organisational behaviour

• Operations and supply chain management

• International Business and Markets

• Data analytics and/or quantitative analysis

Other areas of expertise may also be considered.

About us

At Kaplan Open Learning, we are experts in online Higher Education. Working closely with our partner universities, our vision is to become a world leader in online learning, making higher education accessible to anyone with the potential and drive to succeed.

We develop, deliver, support and market, sector-leading online higher education programmes to a global student audience. Our innovative and unique online pedagogy utilises the latest digital learning technologies to provide teaching excellence and a world-class student experience.

We work in collaboration with our university partners to develop engaging, interactive learning materials using the latest digital learning technologies. This approach blends our unique online pedagogy with the research-led subject expertise of our partners.

Key Responsibilities

The primary role of the Dissertation Advisor/Supervisor is to support the final projects of the students, using the learning materials provided in the module. This will involve a number of duties, that might include, but are not limited to:  

• Provide guidance about the planning of the dissertation/final project and assist the student in setting appropriate and clear objectives, targets and deadlines; 

• Support the student throughout the project in meeting set milestones and full project completion; 

• Provide feedback on drafts of chapters and the final dissertation/final project of the dissertation/final project; 

• Provide support and guidance on the research proposal, ethics application, and overall project throughout the course of the project; 

• Act as a second reviewer for other dissertation/final project students, to allow for cross faculty support, which includes proposals, ethics and second marking; 

• Complete final assessment and marking of the project as well as second mark a paired dissertation/final project for another student in the cohort.  

• Provide appropriate feedback and advice to ensure student academic and personal development. 

The primary responsibility of the Dissertation Advisor/Supervisor is to support students in completing their dissertation projects, using the learning materials provided in the module. Key duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Guiding students in planning their dissertation, helping them set clear objectives, targets, and deadlines.

• Supporting students in meeting project milestones and achieving successful completion.

• Providing feedback on draft chapters and the final dissertation.

• Offering guidance on the research proposal, ethics application, and overall project progression.

• Acting as a second reviewer for proposals and ethics applications.

• Assessing and marking final dissertations, as well as marking a paired dissertation.

• Providing constructive feedback and advice to support student’s academic and personal development. 

Support and training will be provided. 

Qualifications and Skills

You will have a strong academic background and practical applied experience in one or more of the relevant subject areas outlined above. You will also have experience of teaching and assessment on higher education programmes at postgraduate level as well as an enthusiasm for online learning.

Essential criteria

• Doctoral qualification in a computer science related subject with significant professional experience of research and supervision of MSc and MBA Dissertations.

• Experience of teaching and assessing at level 7 within the UK Higher Education sector

• Excellent IT skills, primarily Word, Excel, PowerPoint and online meeting software.

• Good interpersonal skills, comfortable liaising with academic colleagues, tutors and students both face-to-face and in a virtual environment.

• Experience of working with students from a range of cultural backgrounds

• Excellent written communication skills in English

• Reliable internet connection.

• Due to the freelance nature of this role, we cannot accept applications from candidates on a student visa (previously a tier 4 visa)

 Desirable criteria

• Experience of teaching in an online environment

• Familiarity of the UK Higher Education sector and UK Quality Assurance 

• Relevant Higher Education teaching qualification.

• Fellowship recognition by Advance HE

• Evidence of maintenance of academic qualifications through continued scholarly activity.

Application Process

To apply please send an up-to-date CV and a covering letter showing how you meet our above-mentioned criteria by midnight on 24 June 2025. There are a limited number of positions and we will be operating a rolling recruitment process, so please apply early if possible.

If you have any questions please contact Elspeth McFadzean, Programme Director, elspeth.mcfadzean@kaplan.com

Please note following an unsuccessful application, you are unable to re-apply for this role within a 12 month period

Additional Application Information 

As part of our commitment to safeguarding, depending on the nature of the role, successful candidates may be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.  

Application Support  

If you require support completing the application or wish to talk to someone about the role, please email the Recruitment Team kaplanstaff.recruitment@kaplan.com.

Disability Confident Scheme and Reasonable Adjustments 

At Kaplan International, we are committed to working in a diverse organisation and strive to provide equality of opportunity for all. We encourage and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or identity, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnership.  

Following the submission of an application, applicants will receive details of how to request their application be considered under our Disability Confident Scheme.  Applicants will also be given information on how to request reasonable adjustments if selected for interview. 

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