Deputy Director of Derby International Business School


Company:	University of Derby
Salary:	£71,346 to £89,183 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Derby, DE1 1DZ
Working pattern:	Hybrid - 2 days remote
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	2 Oct 2026
Closing date:	21 Oct 2026

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Summary

The Accounting, Economics and Finance discipline at the University of Derby offers a rich and professionally grounded education designed to prepare students for impactful careers in business, finance and public service.

We’re proud to be ranked:

Top 15 for learning resources in Accounting (NSS)

Top 5 for teaching satisfaction in Economics (Guardian University Guide)

Top 20 for teaching quality in Accounting and Finance (Times and Sunday Times)

Business and Management

The discipline of Business and Management at the University of Derby is a vibrant hub of innovation, enterprise and global thinking. Rooted in applied, industry-integrated learning and shaped by close collaboration with employers, our programmes empower students to become agile, responsible leaders capable of navigating the complexities of modern business.

With a curriculum accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), cutting-edge facilities and strong links with employers such as Rolls-Royce, Toyota and Bloc Digital, we offer an inspiring environment where academic excellence meets practical impact. Students engage with authentic business challenges, developing the skills, confidence and adaptability required to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Our diverse community of staff and students is united by a shared commitment to shaping the future of business locally, nationally and globally.

Executive Education and Enterprise Development

The University of Derby’s Executive Education and Enterprise Development provision offers a dynamic and responsive portfolio of programmes designed to empower professionals, businesses and organisations to grow, adapt and innovate in an ever-changing world.

Marketing and Operations

At the University of Derby, our discipline of Marketing and Operations brings together creativity, innovation, strategic thinking and operational excellence to drive business impact.

Tourism and Hospitality

The discipline is ranked internationally in the Top 50 QS Subject Rankings and consistently ranked among the Top 20 in the UK for:

Hospitality, Event Management and Tourism (Guardian University Guide 2025)

Teaching quality (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)

Student satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2026)

Through strong industry connections, a global outlook and a commitment to innovation, the Centre continues to shape future professionals who can make meaningful contributions to businesses, communities and destinations worldwide.

About the Role

We are seeking an inspiring and ambitious academic leader to join Derby International Business School as Deputy Director.

Working closely with the Director and Senior Management Team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering the School's strategic ambitions. You will provide leadership across academic provision, research, enterprise, external engagement and business development, ensuring DIBS continues to deliver an outstanding experience for students and meaningful impact for employers, partners and communities.

You will lead and develop Heads of Discipline, Programme Leaders and academic teams, creating a culture of excellence, innovation and continuous improvement. You will drive the development of a future focused portfolio, ensuring our programmes respond to employer demand, emerging market opportunities and changing student expectations.

The role will have significant responsibility for supporting student recruitment growth, enhancing academic quality and performance, strengthening research and knowledge exchange activity, developing new income streams, and expanding collaborative partnerships both within the UK and internationally.

About You

Holding a doctorate in a relevant discipline, you will bring substantial leadership and management experience, alongside a deep understanding of academic quality, portfolio development, student outcomes, research and enterprise.

We are looking for an individual who can demonstrate:

Significant leadership experience within a higher education environment.

A track record of developing and inspiring high performing academic teams.

Success in delivering improvements in student outcomes, academic quality and organisational performance.

Experience of leading strategic change and growth initiatives.

Strong commercial awareness and the ability to identify and develop new opportunities.

Experience of building productive partnerships with employers, professional bodies and external stakeholders.

A sustained commitment to research, scholarship and academic excellence.

Exceptional communication, influencing and relationship management skills.

Most importantly, you will share our ambition to create an innovative, inclusive and impactful Business School that prepares students to succeed in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

Key Contact

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Alexandra Charles, Director of Derby International Business School via A.Charles@derby.ac.uk

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk

Important Information

This role is eligible for sponsorship by the University, however, your individual circumstances must meet the criteria set out by UKVI; this includes meeting the English Language requirement and earning a salary that meets the highest of either the going rate for the SOC code or the minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker route (£41,700 per annum, as of 22nd July 2025).

If the role is eligible, but the offered salary is less that the going rate for the role, you may still be able to apply for a Skilled Worker visa if:

Your job is on the Immigration Skills List

You’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training

You have a PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job

You have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education

Please note that the University cannot confirm your eligibility for sponsorship until an offer is made and your individual circumstances have been considered.

For more information, visit our website.

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