Associate Dean (Education)

The University of Sheffield

Sheffield

On-site

GBP 73,000 - 114,000

Full time

3 days ago
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Benefits offered by this job

41 days annual leave
Hybrid working
Generous pension
Discounts and rewards
Staff networks
Recognition Awards
Academic Career Pathways development
Family-friendly policies

Job summary

The University of Sheffield seeks an Associate Dean Education to lead the Education pillar, enhancing teaching, student experience, and academic performance across the School. You will model inclusive leadership, guide policy implementation, and collaborate with School Executive Team to advance Education strategy.

As a member of the professorial team, you will oversee programme design, staff development, and governance, while ensuring compliance with OfS and safeguarding standards, driving

Qualifications

  • PhD in a subject area relevant to Management Education.
  • Proven track record in strategic leadership within higher education.
  • Experience delivering Teaching and Learning strategies and policy engagement.

Responsibilities

  • Lead development and delivery of Education plans within the School Planning Framework.
  • Drive initiatives to improve Education and Student Experience performance.
  • Provide leadership and line management for direct reports and mentoring.
  • Promote equality, diversity and inclusion in teaching and curriculum development.
  • Oversee compliance with OfS conditions and safeguarding policies.
  • Chair the School Education Committee and contribute to Education strategy.
  • Collaborate with School Directors of Education and Faculty Education to align with University strategy.
  • Support career development of staff and engagement with external stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership
Strategic planning
Stakeholder engagement
Teaching leadership
Education policy

Education

PhD in related field

Job description

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

The Associate Dean Education is the strategic lead on the School Executive Team responsible for the delivery of the component elements of the Education pillar. More broadly the Associate Dean supports theDean in delivering a range of collective and individual activity within the school designed to improve all aspects of the Schools performance in Education and Student Experience.

Excellent academic leadership is critical to the University of Sheffield's vision of life-enhancing, research, innovation, and education. Each member of the School Executive Team plays a vital role in creating an inclusive environment where staff and students can succeed and flourish.

The Associate Dean of Education will need to be a role model, manager, mentor, and coach into order to build a diverse community of staff and students. They will also be a member of the Faculty Education Committee to facilitate collaboration with other Directors of Education and ensure appropriate alignment and governance.

The University of Sheffield has an established Academic Career Pathway, which is built upon our shared understanding of what it means to be an academic in an ambitious, research-intensive institution like the University of Sheffield. As a Chair (Teaching & Research or Teaching Specialist Pathway) you will contribute in the areas of research, teaching, leadership, professional standing and wider engagement.

Main duties and responsibilities
As Associate Dean (Education):
  • Take a lead role in the development and delivery of action plans related to the relevant areas of the School Planning Framework, specifically: Quality Education, Employability and Digital Education.
  • Develop accompanying action plans to improve School performance across the range of Education activities. Drive major academic initiatives in education within the School, and work effectively with relevant professional service staff to embed efficient and effective student-centred services and ways of working.
  • Coordinate and oversee the work of other staff in the School who are leading on specific areas or projects related to Quality Education, Employability Innovation and Student Experience.
  • Working with School Executive Team colleagues, develop and share best practice for all Education and Student Experience activities, to aid the development and performance of Academic staff within the School.
  • With the HoS, provide targeted support in aspects of Education activities to individual Academic staff as required.
  • Support the professional development of staff contributing to education in the School. For example, through induction, promotion and signposting to professional development opportunities, advice and collegiality.
  • Be aware of developments in Education policy and regulation, raising awareness within the School.
  • Ensure delivery of regulatory responsibilities and requirements with regard to both the OfS (B and C conditions) and other regulatory bodies, raising awareness within the School to support compliance.
  • Ensure compliance of the School with Safeguarding policies and procedures.
  • Chair the School Education Committee. Take a lead role in developing and promoting the School's Education strategy (UG and PGT), and ensure that the School reflects Faculty and University direction in these areas.
  • Work with Head of School and programme leads, adopting a Programme Level Approach to ensure the School maintains and delivers a portfolio of high quality, current, research-informed taught programmes (all taught courses - both UG and PGT) that are attractive to the market, align to student needs and demands and recruit students on a sustainable basis.
  • Oversee the development of new programmes and modules, proposing any changes to the Faculty Education Committee and Senate Learning and Teaching Committee.
  • Support the Head of School in ensuring the School provides an outstanding student experience through all stages of the taught student journey as evidenced by Tell Us and NSS data.
  • Embed student voice at each level across the School so as to inform curriculum design and development, establishing an ongoing dialogue between students and staff (TEll US, student fora, working groups etc).
  • Work with the other members of the School Executive team to ensure there is synergy between the different aspects of the School strategy - for example, ensuring efficient delivery of high-quality education and assessment is complementary to research performance and attempts to address academic workload.
  • Ensure that University policies for all education activities are implemented and adopted throughout the School.
  • Monitor the quality of Education delivery across the School and provide intervention, support and guidance on improvements where necessary.
  • Contribute to relevant Faculty or University level projects and initiatives as required.
  • Work with other School Directors of Education and the Faculty Director of Education to ensure the University continues to improve the quality of its education and ensure the delivery of a high-quality student experience.
  • Work with the Faculty Director of Education and other School Directors of Education to provide evidence of excellent education and student outcomes for use in a Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) submission.
  • Embed the results of the Education review to establish a culture that supports Education, Research and Impact & One University principles.
  • Provide effective leadership and line management for any direct reports, including recruitment, conducting Staff Development Reviews (SRDS), supporting wellbeing, mentoring, facilitating professional development and excellent performance.
  • Carry out other duties commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
As a member of the professoriate and in line with the underlying Chair appointment once the leadership role concludes:
  • Contribute fully to Sheffield University Management School as a teacher, researcher, leader and collaborator.
  • Demonstrate high-quality teaching practice by leading on the design, delivery and assessment and evaluation of high-quality research-led teaching programmes to enable effective learning. This includes identifying learning objectives, selecting appropriate curricula, teaching methods, and resources, and determining, designing and producing appropriate study material. You will also prepare and implement student assessments, ensuring effective moderation and timely feedback.
  • Provide high-quality student support through personal tutor/pastoral responsibilities for undergraduate and postgraduate students, directing them, as required, to University support services appropriate to their needs.
  • Supervise undergraduate and postgraduate projects.
  • Enhance curriculum in the Department, including reviewing and developing new programmes of study that are accessible, inclusive, attracting new students and markets and contributing to the University's Learning and Teaching Strategy. This includes reviewing and updating current provision and teaching techniques, ensuring compliance with quality and accreditation standards and effective links with external organisations.
  • Plan teaching up to one year ahead unless there are significant teaching programme changes or new courses then plan for up to two years ahead of their introduction.
  • Demonstrate a strong commitment to continuing professional development in teaching by developing and implementing ideas for improving teaching design, delivery and assessment, in order to build pedagogic knowledge and demonstrate impact.
  • Liaise effectively with academic staff, other colleagues and external stakeholders to ensure taught programmes are appropriate and relevant to the needs of both students and employers.
  • Share and promote good practice in teaching within the School and Faculty.
  • Establish, lead and sustain excellence in research (pedagogic scholarship or a management research discipline aligned with the School's mission and areas of strength), with a commitment to synergies with teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
  • Conduct personal research of international standing, independently and collaboratively, in line with the Faculty Research Strategy.
  • Maintain a strong academic and professional profile through national and international engagement, high quality publications.
  • Determine research objectives, and initiate and implement a strong programme of research, leading to visible academic and non-academic impact.
  • Direct and supervise the work of research students and research staff.
  • Lead and participate in applications to secure external funding to support high-quality and ambitious research activity.
  • Provide strong academic leadership, including line management and staff development as appropriate.
  • Provide leadership in developing a strong research or scholarship portfolio.
  • Participate in University, School and Faculty committees as appropriate.
  • Foster high quality links with academic colleagues in relevant disciplines across the University, with other academic institutions and with industry.
  • Plan and prioritise own work and forward plan up to five years for some tasks.
  • You will be a role model and champion for the values and behaviours of the Sheffield Academic and promote its integration into the life of the University.
  • As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, including embedding the University strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
  • Any other duties, commensurate with the grade of the post.
Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and are respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Have a PhD in a subject area relevant to the activity of the Management School.

Essential

Application/interview/Stakeholder panel

Have a proven, excellent track record in high quality research and/ or scholarship, at a professorial level (evidenced through publication; income generation; knowledge exchange, engagement and impact activity; external networks nationally and internationally; and other indicators of esteem).

Essential

Application/interview/Stakeholder panel

Have a proven track record of delivery in a strategic leadership role in a business or management school and be able to evidence an ability to lead change.

Essential

Application/interview/Stakeholder panel

Be ambitious, with the vision, drive and motivation to further develop, promote and deliver the Education strategy for the School which will enable it to achieve a further step-change in its performance and reputation.

Essential

Application/interview/Stakeholder panel

Possess highly-developed leadership skills.

Essential

Application/interview/Stakeholder panel

Knowledge of, and experience of playing a key role in meeting the standards and requirements of relevant professional body and international accreditations (AMBA, AACSB, EQUIS).

Essential

Application/interview/Stakeholder panel

Proven ability to build and sustain high performing teams and to develop the capacity/performance of individual staff.

Essential

Application/interview/Stakeholder panel

Experience of designing, developing and delivering teaching programmes to ensure consistently high quality teaching, learning and student support.

Essential

Application/interview/Stakeholder panel

Demonstrable commitment to continuous improvement, with experience of critically reviewing and assessing existing teaching programmes with evidence of positive change/impact.

Essential

Application/interview/Stakeholder panel

Evidence of continual development of own teaching practice and that of others leading to improved delivery and outcomes.

Essential

Application/interview/Stakeholder panel

An understanding of and demonstrable commitment to promoting and embedding equality, diversity and inclusion principles and practices and demonstration of capacity to meet the educational needs of a diversity of learners.

Essential

Application/interview/Stakeholder panel

Excellent understanding of the Higher Education regulatory and governance environment, with experience in leading strategic action plans in relation to key measures (for example NSS, TEF, KEF).

Essential

Application/interview/Stakeholder panel

Ability to mentor and motivate colleagues in developing their research or scholarship plans, curriculum innovation and teaching portfolios in line with the School and Faculty strategies, and contribute to their wider professional development and pastoral care.

Essential

Application/interview/Stakeholder panel

Show high levels of personal integrity and strong professional reputation.

Essential

Application/interview/Stakeholder panel

Considerable experience of working effectively both independently and collaboratively in research, leadership and teaching teams.

Essential

Application/interview/Stakeholder panel

Excellent communication, ambassadorial and diplomatic skills.

Essential

Application/interview/Stakeholder panel

Evidence of the ability to work to and meet deadlines, adapt to rapidly changing contexts and manage a number of competing demands.

Essential

Application/interview/Stakeholder panel

An understanding and experience of leading and delivering initiatives to enhance student employability in a national and international landscape.

Desirable

Application/interview/Stakeholder panel

An understanding of the opportunities for digital innovation in education and experience of leading or delivering initiatives in digital education.

Desirable

Application/interview/Stakeholder panel

Further Information
  • Grade: Professorial Equivalent
  • Salary: £72,997 - £113,619
  • Work arrangement: Full-time
  • Line manager: Dean of School
  • Direct reports: TBC
  • Right to work in the UK: If you do not currently hold the right to work in the UK, you can find more information here to help determine your visa eligibility. Additional guidance is also available on the UK visa and immigration website.
  • Our website: https://sheffield.ac.uk/management
  • For informal enquiries about this job contact Professor Eleanor Davies, Dean, Sheffield University Management School, e.m.davies@sheffield.ac.uk
Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place during the week commencing 11th January 2027. This will consist of a Stakeholder engagement exercise and interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage during the week commencing 7th December 2026. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact mgt.staffing@sheffield.ac.uk.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision

What we offer
  • A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
  • Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
  • Generous pension scheme.
  • A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
  • A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks).
  • Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
  • A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.
  • A range of generous family-friendly policies
    • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
    • access to menopause support in the workplace
    • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
    • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits

We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Closing Date :18/11/2026

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision ( www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision ) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.

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