Head of Engineering, Science & Automotive (Further Education)

University College Birmingham; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 61,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Teachers’ Pension Scheme

Private healthcare

Employee assistance programme

Health MOTs

Staff development

Salary sacrifice

On-site parking

Gym membership

Job summary

University College Birmingham is seeking an experienced curriculum leader to drive its expanding FE provision in Engineering, Science and Automotive. You will provide academic and operational leadership for the department, ensuring an engaging, industry-focused curriculum and high-quality teaching.

You will lead curriculum planning, quality improvement, staffing and resource management, using performance data to improve retention, achievement and progression.

Qualifications

• Experience leading curriculum in FE/technical subjects.
• Ability to use performance data to improve student outcomes.
• Strong relationship-building with employers and awarding organisations.

Responsibilities

• Lead curriculum planning and quality improvement for the department.
• Oversee staffing, resource management and performance data analysis.
• Develop and maintain relationships with employers, awarding bodies and partners.
• Retain active involvement in teaching to stay connected with students.

Skills

Curriculum leadership

Data-driven improvement

Staffing management

Stakeholder engagement

Teaching involvement

Job description

University College Birmingham is seeking an experienced and ambitious curriculum leader to lead its expanding Further Education provision in Engineering, Science and Automotive.

Working closely with the Assistant Principal (STEM), you will provide academic and operational leadership for the department, ensuring that students benefit from an engaging, industry-focused curriculum, high-quality teaching and an excellent overall experience.

You will lead curriculum planning, quality improvement, staffing and resource management, using performance data effectively to improve student retention, achievement and progression. Developing strong relationships with employers, awarding organisations and other partners will also be central to ensuring that the curriculum remains responsive to emerging skills needs.

As a visible and supportive leader, you will inspire colleagues, promote professional development and establish a culture of high expectations and shared responsibility. You will also retain an active involvement in teaching, keeping you closely connected to students and current classroom practice.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape a strategically important and growing curriculum area within a university that is strongly committed to technical and professional education.

If you can combine excellent curriculum leadership with a clear understanding of industry and the needs of FE students, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Benefits:

• Generous allocation of annual leave
• • 38 days’ paid leave per year
  • 12 Bank Holidays & Concessionary Days
• Excellent Teachers’ Pension Scheme
  • Employer Contributions – 28.6%
• Subsidised private healthcare provided by Aviva including a Digital GP Service.
• Employee Assistance Programme inclusive of counselling services, financial wellbeing support and bereavement support
• Annual health MOTs with our Registered Nurse
• Excellent staff development opportunities including professional qualification sponsorship
• A variety of salary sacrifice schemes including technology and cycle.
• Heavily-subsidised on-site car parking in central Birmingham
• Free on-site gym membership

Closing Date: 11 October 2026

Interview Date: 22 October 2026

Standard Information:

UCB is an equal opportunities employer.

University College Birmingham is proud to be TEF rated Silver, with a Good Ofsted rating

UCB has achieved the Investors in Diversity Bronze Award.

You may need to obtain permission to work in the UK if you don’t already have the unrestricted right to work in any role. There are various types of visa which include the right to work.You can check if you need a UK visa using the Government’s online tooland find information about UK visa routes and the eligibility criteria that must be met for each route Work in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). All staff are required to prove their right to work in the UK before they start work.

All applicants for employment at the University will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the principles of Safeguarding and the PREVENT agenda in the context of further and higher education.

£67,557 per annum - Fixed