Academic Director

Coventry University; Essex; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global education group is seeking a Senior Leader for CU London to drive academic excellence and community engagement. This role involves leading the development of academic programs and ensuring a high-quality, demand-driven educational offer. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in academic leadership and a proven track record in program development. The role also includes engaging with local business and educational groups to enhance the campus's offering and reputation. Competitive salary and extensive benefits are provided.

Benefits

Excellent Employers Pension Contribution

30 days Annual leave plus Bank Holidays

New Holiday Purchase Scheme up to 5 additional days

Life Assurance 4 x Salary

BUPA Cash Plan

50% off Tuition Fee's for staff dependants

CU Reward Scheme - Discounts across a range of High Street/ Online Retailers

New Electric Car Scheme

Cycle To work scheme

Qualifications

• Proven experience in academic leadership roles.
• Strong track record in developing academic programs.
• Ability to engage effectively with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of academic delivery at CU London.
• Ensure high-quality and demand-driven academic offers.
• Manage and develop academic team to enhance performance.

Skills

Leadership

Program Development

Community Engagement

Academic Management

Strategic Planning

Education

Relevant Postgraduate Qualification

Job description

London, between Dagenham and Greenwich

Competitive starting salary from £75,312 up to £77,396 per annum (dependent upon experience) with potential to progress. A discretionary range for candidates with exception experience can be discussed/considered

Our Mission

Coventry University Group is a global education group with a mission of Creating Better Futures. Driven by our passion and belief that through education, equity, and innovation our students, people, and communities are empowered to transform their lives and the world around us. Our people are the key to our success and each role within the group plays a key role in shaping the world around us.

At CU Group (part of Coventry University Educational Group) we are firmly focused on preparing students for successful careers, in the context of the industry's current and future demands.

The Role

Based on campus in CU London, between Dagenham and Greenwich this role will report to and work closely with the Chief Academic Officer, and liaise with others across our multi-campus operation, the university group and external business and communities. You will take the lead on all aspects of the delivery, development and enhancement of the academic offer and external commitments at CU London.

You will ensure CU London has a high-quality, sustainable, employer-engaged, demand-driven and attractive academic offer that is appropriate for the local and regional context, attracting students locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. You will drive CU London to be sector leading in terms of student experience.

You will be a key member of the Senior Management Team in CU London and the CU Group Executive Team across CU Group and engage with wider company and university activities where appropriate to the role.

Within its local / campus focus, as the Senior Leader with campus responsibility, you will lead the development and diversification of the London campuses, reflecting the place and circumstance that it operates. This role will join existing and developing new forums for business and community engagement and represent the campus in local and educational business groups. Through these groups, the Academic Director will actively seek out opportunities to co-create and develop opportunities to enrich and diversify the offer at CU London.

Will take a leading and ambassadorial role and be the face of CU London, establishing new opportunities and co-create activities within the wider University to diversify the offer. Also leading on our Civic Duties associated with our amazing building in Dagenham.

Our Successful Candidate

You will be self-disciplined and determined to lead, manage, and develop CU London's academic team to ensure they are highly effective, reflective, efficient, and high performing across the full range of performance metrics. You will also lead in conjunction with multi-campus academic staff on new programme developments, major amendments and where necessary manage withdrawal, ensuring changes are aligned to current and future demand, informed through evidence-based decision making, and enable student recruitment targets to be achieved.

This role is based across the Coventry University London (part of CUG) campuses in Dagenham and Greenwich.

The Benefits

As a staff member of Coventry University, you will have a access to a wide range of industry leading rewards and benefits which includes:

• Excellent Employers Pension Contribution
• 30 days Annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• New Holiday Purchase Scheme up to 5 additional days
• Life Assurance 4 x Salary
• BUPA Cash Plan
• 50% off Tuition Fee's for staff dependants
• CU Reward Scheme - Discounts across a range of High Street/ Online Retailers
• New Electric Car Scheme
• Cycle To work scheme

Our Culture

As a global Education Group, equality, diversity, and inclusion are embedded within the fabric of our organisation and are a key focus of our core values. We harness the power and potential of the diverse cultures, backgrounds, abilities, and experiences of our students, colleagues, and partners to create opportunities for all.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Closing Date: 16 January 2026.