Head of Foundation Year

The University of Law; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 61,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical Scheme and Life Cover

Contributory Pension Scheme

Course Sponsorship/Fee Discount

Season Ticket Loans and Student Distin

Job summary

The University of Law is seeking a Head of Foundation Year to lead the design, delivery and quality of foundation year studies across multiple campuses and delivery modes. This role sits in BTAS but involves working with all foundation students, including the Law School.

The post is full-time, permanent and hybrid, with work from UK campuses and remotely. You will oversee course materials, assessments and the overall student experience to enhance performance at year zero.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification with a PGCHE and Fellow of Advanced HE (or working towards FHEA and PGCHE).
• Understanding of higher education, ideally foundation year.
• Experience of driving continuous improvement.
• Collaboration, negotiation and liaison skills for use of resources.
• Enthusiastic self-starter with a strong goal orientation.
• High degree of commitment to the requirements of the job.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate delivery of foundation year studies across campuses and modes.
• Lead development and quality of foundation year materials and assessments.
• Promote innovation in teaching, including digital/online delivery.
• Maintain strong relationships with students and campus leads.
• Monitor and evaluate student performance and drive improvements.
• Support programme teams to ensure ongoing student satisfaction and progression.

Skills

Collaboration

Negotiation

Liaison

Self-starter

Goal oriented

Education

Postgraduate qualification (PGCHE) and FHEA

Job description

Closing date for applications is 27th September 2026.

We are looking for a Head of Foundation Year who will be responsible for leading and coordinating the development, design, quality, and delivery of foundation year studies across all disciplines. As our Head of Foundation Year will lead the coordination and production of the design and delivery of course materials and assessments and oversee all aspects of the student experience and enhancement of student performance for year zero. We are looking for suitable candidates who will be experts in forming collaborative relationships with senior stakeholders, to ensure high standards of programme delivery are met across multiple campuses and modes of delivery. Please note: this role sits in the Business, Technology & Social Sciences (BTAS), but you will be working with all foundation students, including in the Law School. This is a full-time, permanent hybrid position, working from any of our UK campuses and remotely.

• Working with Programme and Student Leads and Course Leads to ensure the delivery of a consistent and high-quality student experience across all campuses where foundation year studies are offered
• Leading the development of all foundation year studies (integrated foundation year, stand-alone and international) ensuring alignment with the University’s strategic goals, and the academic design and quality standards set out at the University curriculum level.
• Promoting and delivering innovation in teaching methods, through digital and online teaching provision that enhances delivery, course design and/or assessment, including the marking and moderation of assessments as required.
• Liaising with Programme and Student Leads and Course Leads to manage local quality and delivery, maintaining strong relationships with students on each campus
• Lead the monitoring and evaluation of student performance, implementing strategies for improvement and enhancement of the student learning experience
• Support relevant programme leadership teams to collaborate with colleagues within the programme, across the disciplinary areas, as well as business professional colleagues and campus operations, to ensure continuous improvement in student satisfaction, student achievement, retention, performance and progression

Is this you?

Education

• Postgraduate Qualification, with a PGCHE (or equivalent) and Fellow of Advanced HE (or working towards FHEA and PGCHE)
• Understanding and knowledge of higher education (ideally foundation year)
• Experience of driving continuous improvement.
• Collaboration, negotiation and liaison skills for use of resources
• An enthusiastic self-starter, highly goal oriented
• High degree of commitment to the requirements of the job

Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary of £71,750 per annum, we offer a generous annual leave entitlement of 35 days plus Bank Holidays, along with a rewards package that includes:

• Private Medical Scheme and Life Assurance
• Contributory Pension Scheme
• Training and Qualifications (including Course Sponsorship/Fee Discount)
• Season Ticket Loans and Student Discounts

Our Approach

We are committed to ensuring our workforce is reflective of our diverse student population, striving to increase the representation of age, disability, gender identity and expression, religion, race, sex, sexual orientation, and socio-economic background of our employees. We’re also committed to providing adjustments to those who may require support with the recruitment process - please contact the ULaw Talent Acquisition Team [e-mail].

Please note: For this opportunity, you must be able to prove you have the right to work in the UK - if in doubt please visit the following link Employers' right to work checklist - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Please note we are not a licenced sponsor.