Associate Dean - Academic Programmes and Student Success

Arden University; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Arden University is seeking a motivated and experienced Senior Academic Leader for the role of Associate Dean in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Technology. This pivotal position involves enhancing academic programmes and student experiences, ensuring high standards in teaching and learning, and leading faculty initiatives. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in higher education leadership and a passion for innovation in learning.

Benefits

30 days holiday + bank holidays

Generous Aviva pension plan

Private Medical Insurance coverage

Access to Perkbox benefits

Study any Arden course for free

Golden Ticket for free Arden education

Qualifications

• Strong track record in pedagogic activities.
• Proven experience in senior academic leadership.
• Successful track record of leading faculty-wide initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Support and collaborate with the Dean for outstanding student outcomes.
• Gather and evaluate faculty-wide insights to advance key metrics.
• Actively participate in administrative committees.

Skills

Pedagogic activities

Enhancing teaching and learning

Leadership

Quality assurance

Accreditation

Education

Recognised higher education teaching qualifications

Job description

Salary: £85,000 - £95,000 per annum

Employment type: Permanent

Hours per week: 37

Reporting into: Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Technology

Department: Faculty of Social Sciences and Technology

Click here to read the full job description and view our excellent benefits here

This role operates on a hybrid working arrangement that will require occasional travel into our UK locations listed below when appropriate. Travel is expected to be at least one day a week, but will fluctuate in line with business requirements. (Our working model arrangements are a non-contractual benefit so please note that an Arden work location is added to our employment contracts.)

Travel will be required into the following locations:

• Coventry head office
• Birmingham campus
• Leeds campus
• Nottingham campus
• Manchester campus
• London area (Tower Hill, Holborn & Ealing)

About Arden University:

We are an aspirational and multi-award-winning university, delivering rapid growth with ambitious plans to disrupt the HE sector through our passion for innovation and digital education. Our vision is to become the first-choice university for career-focused lifelong learners worldwide, ensuring that everyone, everywhere can access higher education.

There has never been a more exciting time to join Arden University, as we expand into new disciplines, forge worldwide partnerships, and expand our locations.

About our Department:

The Academic Office at Arden University plays an important role in supporting academic governance, quality assurance, and student success. The department oversees key processes such as programme validation and approval, policy development, regulatory compliance, and assessment management.

Working closely with faculties, professional services, and external regulatory bodies, the Academic Office ensures that Arden’s academic standards align with sector benchmarks and accreditation requirements. It is also responsible for enhancing student experience by maintaining fair and transparent academic policies, supporting assessment boards, and facilitating effective learning and teaching practices.

About the Opportunity:

At Arden University, we pride ourselves on being true innovators, disruptors and pioneers with the focus to promote life-long learning and ensure that everyone, everywhere can access higher education.

We are looking for a motivated and highly experienced Senior Academic Leader to join our faculty of Social Sciences and Technology in a newly focused role as Associate Dean, dedicated to enhancing academic programmes and the student experience. This position is vital to implementing the strategic vision set by the Dean of the Faculty, providing leadership, strategic direction, innovation, and measurable impact.

Key Responsibilities:

Support and collaborate with the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences & Technology to ensure outstanding student outcomes and satisfaction.

Work with the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Student Experience and other key university stakeholders to uphold the highest standards in student experience and outcomes across the faculty.

Gather and evaluate faculty wide insights and data to help advance key metrics whilst identifying and implementing areas of improvement.

Actively participate in administrative committees, advocate for academic and professional colleague interests, and represent the faculty in external engagements.

Key focus areas but not limited to:

• Academic Programmes
• Student Success
• Research and Enterprise
• Community and External Relations

About You:

This is an exciting role for someone passionate about innovation in higher education and committed to enhancing student experiences. If you’re ready to make a significant impact in academic leadership, we welcome your application. You will need:

• A strong track record in pedagogic activities and enhancing teaching and learning within a discipline pertinent to Social Science and/or Technology.
• Proven experience in senior academic leadership and management within a higher education environment, including leading quality and accreditation/validation events.
• A successful track record of leading faculty-wide initiatives, ensuring programmes meet high standards of Student Experience, Student Outcomes (TEF metrics), and Student Satisfaction.
• Recognised higher education teaching qualifications and/or Fellowships (e.g., PG Cert HE, SFHEA, PFHEA, QTLS/QTS Secondary).
• A clear vision for academic and professional excellence across faculty schools, departments, and programmes.
• Insight into current challenges in higher education and strategies to address these within the Faculty.
• A record of scholarly activity and/or relevant professional experience at an appropriate level.

Why Arden:

At Arden, you will become a part of a passionate and dedicated team who are committed to removing unnecessary barriers to learning and making education more accessible. Our people work hard to ensure our students journeys are the best they can possibly be, as such we want to reward our people with fantastic benefits. Employees benefit from:

• 30 days holiday + bank holidays on-top, and even a Christmas closure!
• A generous Aviva pension plan, company contributions starting from 7%
• SimplyHealth plan option
• Private Medical Insurance coverage (applies to certain job roles)
• Access to Perkbox benefits
• Study any Arden course for free, with a discount for all family and friends
• Plus, otherexcellent benefits
• Our ‘Golden Ticket’ which allows you to gift anyone in your life a free Arden education
  

Our Values:

Stand out, Progressive, Accessible, Resourceful, Kindness,reflect who we are as an institution, a team and as individuals. If they also reflect you and you are excited by the chance to be the driving, creative force within a growing business, we want to hear from you.

There has never been a more exciting time to join Arden University, as we expand into new disciplines and locations.

Closing Date:Tuesday 3rd June

We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the specified closing date should we receive sufficient applications or in order to respond to business needs. In order to avoid missing an opportunity to apply please submit your application as early as possible.

If you are a current Arden student or have an upcoming course with us, you are not eligible to apply for Student Experience roles due to a conflict of interest related to system access.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion:

Arden University is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. This means that if you have a disability, as defined by the Disability Equality Act 2010, you may be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role.

If you wish to be considered under this scheme, you can indicate via the application form below. By doing so, you are also consenting for this information to be shared with the hiring team. For more details on what qualifies as a disability under the Disability Equality Act 2010, please refer tothe guidancehere.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. Therefore, we make sure that our recruitment and selection processes never discriminate based upon people's age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances, and actively welcome applications from all groups.

Sponsorship statement:

Please be aware that some roles may not meet the points requirement for a sponsored Skilled Worker visa under the points-based immigration system. However, we welcome applications from candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK but may be eligible for a visa through an alternative route.