Deputy Director of the Institute of Education & Skills


Company:	University of Derby
Salary:	£71,346 to £89,183 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Derby, DE22 1GB
Working pattern:	Hybrid - 2 days remote
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	26 Oct 2026
Closing date:	23 Nov 2026

Apply for this job

Summary

The Institute of Education and Skills plays a central role in delivering the University of Derby's commitment to opportunity, social mobility and lifelong learning. Through outstanding education, research and employer engagement, the Institute develops the educators, trainers, leaders and skilled professionals who shape communities, support economic growth and transform lives.

About the Role

We are seeking an exceptional and inspiring academic leader to join the Institute of Education and Skills as Deputy Director.

Working in partnership with the Director and wider leadership team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering the Institute's strategic priorities across education, research, skills development, employer engagement and partnership activity.

You will provide leadership across a broad and varied portfolio, supporting Heads of Discipline and academic leaders to drive excellence in teaching, student outcomes, research, knowledge exchange and external engagement. You will help ensure the Institute continues to respond proactively to developments in education policy, workforce skills needs and professional practice, positioning the University as a leading provider of education and skills development.

With responsibility for supporting organisational performance, portfolio development, student recruitment, quality enhancement and resource planning, you will help create an environment where innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement thrive.

The role offers the opportunity to shape the future direction of teacher education, educational research, apprenticeships, workforce development and professional learning, whilst strengthening relationships with schools, colleges, employers, professional bodies and other strategic partners.

As Deputy Director, you will act as a visible ambassador for the Institute, represent the University within regional and national networks and deputise for the Director as required.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to an Institute that combines academic excellence with a clear commitment to making a positive difference for learners, communities and employers.

About You

You will be an experienced and credible academic leader with substantial experience of leading within a complex higher education, education or skills environment.

Holding a doctorate or equivalent professional standing in a relevant field, you will bring a strong track record of delivering strategic objectives through collaborative leadership, inspiring teams and building a positive culture focused on excellence and impact.

You will be able to demonstrate:

Experience of providing strategic leadership that delivers organisational improvement, growth and measurable outcomes.

Proven success in leading and developing high-performing academic or professional teams within a complex environment.

A strong track record of developing effective partnerships with schools, colleges, employers, professional bodies, government agencies or other external stakeholders.

Experience of enhancing educational quality, student outcomes, research, knowledge exchange, workforce development or skills provision.

An understanding of the evolving education and skills landscape and the opportunities and challenges facing the sector.

Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to engage effectively at senior levels both internally and externally.

A commitment to inclusion, innovation and delivering positive outcomes for learners, organisations and communities.

Most importantly, you will share our ambition to create an innovative, inclusive and impactful Institute that develops the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to shape the future of education and workforce development.

Key Contact

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Sarah Charles, Director of the Institute of Education & Skills via S.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.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and is therefore subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Any information you provide will be treated in confidence and only used when considering your suitability for the post.

To enable us to process your DBS check please ensure you are able to supply the documentation listed on the DBS website at interview stage.

Essential requirements

Essential Criteria Qualifications Hold a doctorate in an academic discipline relevant to the Institute of Education and Skills or have extensive equivalent professional experience Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) with aim of achieving Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy within 3 years of commencement date in post (if not already SF-HEA) Relevant professional qualification/ membership of a professional body Experience Significant management experience in an HE institution of a similar or larger size Successful experience of using effective leadership and management competencies to create a high performing team Delivery of outstanding learning, teaching and assessment practice, that is reflected in metrics and rankings such as TEF, REF, PTES, PRES, DLHE/LEO and NSS and other key performance indicators Successful experience of performance management, monitoring against agreed targets in a supportive environment Demonstrable experience gained through industry employment Experience of building capacity and capability of staff in relation to scholarship and research Evidence of sustained personal track-record of research and scholarship Skills, knowledge & abilities Knowledge and utilisation of quality assurance and enhancement policies and procedures Highly regarded academic and people leader with a proven ability to deliver through people Knowledge and understanding of the FE and Skills sector Knowledge and experience of safeguarding relevant to the needs of children and vulnerable adults, including the Prevent duty Experience of leading provision through Ofsted inspections Self-confident and resilient with well-developed influencing and persuasion skills Enhanced negotiation skills Well-developed verbal and written communication skills, including report writing Strong business skills and commercial acumen and ability to manage budgets Good analytical and critical thinking skills Ability to enable and gain commitment to organisational change Flexible and adaptable, willing to challenge, innovate and change the orthodox A commitment to live and promote the University core values Business requirements Evidence of Continuing Professional Development Completed DBS check with child barred list Prohibited from Teaching check Evening and weekend working including open days and applicant visit days Overseas / overnight business travel Desirable Criteria Experience Experience of teaching in the FE sector Experience of undertaking successful bids for external funding. Successful development of international collaborations, recruitment of international students and internationalisation of the curricula Experience of successful inter-disciplinary developments

Apply for this job