Head of Department - Psychology

The University Of Wolverhampton; Wolverhampton; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Wolverhampton invites applications for Head of Department (Psychology) within the School of Sport and Psychology. You will provide strategic and academic leadership for Psychology at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, driving excellence in education, research, knowledge exchange and civic engagement.

Aligned to Strategy 2035, the role focuses on welcoming diverse communities, impactful research and partnerships with external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Experience leading and developing academic teams in higher education.
• Track record of delivering excellence in education, research and engagement.
• Strong communication and relationship-building with external partners.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and academic leadership for Psychology across undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Drive development, enhancement and growth of the department's portfolio.
• Improve student outcomes and engagement, including progression and graduate success.
• Foster research quality, impact, funding and doctoral provision.
• Strengthen the department's profile through collaboration with external partners.
• Lead recruitment, coaching, workload management and performance of staff.
• Promote inclusive and supportive environment for staff and students.

Skills

Leadership

Curriculum innovation

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Communication

Education

Leadership experience in higher education

Quality improvement in education

Job description

The University of Wolverhampton is seeking to appoint an outstanding and inspirational academic leader as Head of Department (Psychology) within the newly established School of Sport and Psychology.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future direction of Psychology within a university committed to creating opportunity, transforming lives, and delivering a more inclusive, productive and sustainable society. Working as a key member of the School Leadership Team, you will provide strategic and academic leadership for Psychology at both undergraduate and postgraduate level; ensuring excellence in education, research, knowledge exchange and civic engagement.

Aligned to the University's ambitious Strategy 2035, the School of Sport and Psychology is committed to delivering world-leading education informed by impactful research and professional practice. The school has a strong focus on addressing contemporary health and societal challenges, improving wellbeing, and maximising participation and opportunity across diverse communities.

As Head of Department, you will play a central role in leading and developing Psychology, driving innovation and growth across our educational portfolio, strengthening research and knowledge exchange activity, and further enhancing our reputation for student success, professional engagement and societal impact.

Knowledge and experience of working within accredited Psychology provision and an understanding of the standards and expectations of the British Psychological Society and HCPC is essential for this role.

Key Responsibilities

As Head of Department (Psychology), you will:

• Provide strategic and academic leadership for Psychology, setting a clear vision that delivers excellence in teaching, research, knowledge exchange and impact.
• Lead the continued development, enhancement and growth of the department's academic portfolio, ensuring programmes remain innovative, inclusive, professionally relevant and responsive to emerging societal and employer needs.
• Drive sustained improvement in student outcomes, including continuation, completion, progression and graduate success, alongside excellent student satisfaction and engagement.
• Foster a vibrant and ambitious research and scholarship culture, supporting the development of research quality, impact, external funding and doctoral provision.
• Build the department's profile and reputation through interdisciplinary collaboration and engagement with external stakeholders, professional bodies and strategic partners.
• Lead, develop and support colleagues through effective recruitment, coaching, talent development, workload management and performance leadership.
• Promote an inclusive and supportive environment in which staff and students can thrive, championing equality, diversity, inclusion and wellbeing.

About You

We are seeking an experienced and collaborative academic leader with a proven track record of delivering excellence within higher education.

You will be able to demonstrate:

• Leadership and management experience within a higher education environment.
• A strong track record of curriculum innovation, academic quality enhancement and student success.
• Experience of leading and developing academic teams, fostering high performance and supporting colleague development.
• Evidence of research, scholarship and/or knowledge exchange achievement appropriate to career stage.
• Experience of building productive partnerships with organisations, public sector bodies, employers, professional organisations, communities and other external stakeholders.
• Strong communication, influencing and relationship-building skills, with the ability to inspire colleagues and build effective partnerships internally and externally.
• A commitment to widening participation, inclusivity and delivering transformational outcomes for students.

Knowledge and experience of working within accredited Psychology provision and an understanding of the standards and expectations of the British Psychological Society would be advantageous.

Why Join Us?

The University of Wolverhampton is a civic university with a proud history of widening access, transforming lives and supporting regional prosperity through education, research and innovation.

The newly established School of Sport and Psychology presents an exciting opportunity to shape a distinctive interdisciplinary identity, bringing together expertise across psychology, sport, health and wellbeing to address contemporary societal challenges.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact:

[e-mail]