Appointment of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost

Bournemouth University

Apply now

Welcome from the Vice-Chancellor and CEO

Thank you for your interest in joining Bournemouth University as our next Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost.

This is an exciting moment to join our University Executive Team. Having launched our ambitious BU2035 strategy earlier this year, we are on a journey of transformation as we seek to deliver an industry-connected, future-focused education that equips graduates with the skills required to solve global challenges and to shape the future. We are deeply rooted in our sense of place – a beautiful and distinctive location on the UK’s South Coast – yet have a dynamic global outlook and a growing network of international partnerships.

As Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, you will play a pivotal role in turning our ambitions into reality. You will help shape the academic direction of the university, champion educational excellence, drive innovation across learning and research, and nurture a culture in which colleagues and students can thrive. This is an opportunity to influence not only the future of Bournemouth University but also the prosperity and wellbeing of the communities and industries we serve locally, nationally and globally.

We are looking for an inspiring and collaborative leader who shares our belief that universities should create positive change. Working alongside talented colleagues, engaged students and valued partners, you will help us deliver an outstanding educational experience, strengthen our research and innovation ambitions, and ensure that BU continues to make a meaningful impact in the world.

If you are excited by the opportunity to help lead a vibrant educational community through a period of transformation, I would be delighted to hear from you.

Professor Alison Honour, MA PFHEA NTF FRSA
Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer, Bournemouth University

About Bournemouth University

Bournemouth University has around 15,000 students and 1,500 colleagues. Located over two main sites, the university is structured around three faculties – Business and Law; Health, Environment and Medical Sciences; and Media, Science and Technology – and is supported by 13 professional services departments.

We are proud of our achievements, which include strong graduate outcomes.

In the government’s 2026 Longitudinal Educational Outcomes (LEO) data, 90.1% of BU graduates are in further study or sustained employment one year after graduation, above the sector average of 89.9%. This rises to 91.2% at three years and 91.0% at five years, both of which put BU in the top 25 per cent of all universities in the UK.

The data also shows that BU graduates’ earnings outperform graduates from other universities. By three years, BU graduates earn an average of £31,100 a year, compared to £29,100 for the sector. After five years this increases to an additional premium of £4,100 per year (£35,900 compared to £31,800 for the sector).

We are also proud of the following awards and recognitions:

University of the Year
1st in the South West; Top 20 in the UK
WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2026

1st for Postgraduate Student Experience
WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2026, South West

1st for International Student Experience
WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2026, South West

Best Students’ Union in the South West; 4th in the UK
WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2026

10 in the top 10
Ten subject areas achieved top 10 rankings in the Complete University Guide 2027

91% apprenticeship completion
Highest ranking university for apprenticeship provision
Department for Education; Apprenticeship starts, achievements and participation, 25/26

Athena Swan Silver Award
Athena Swan Charter, AdvanceHE, Awarded June 2026

17th in the UK for sustainability; 6th for climate action
THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026

Our vision

We will be a vibrant educational community, creating solutions to real-world challenges and shaping the future of our society and economy.

Together, our graduates and partners will turn ideas into impact, with a shared commitment to accelerate solutions that matter to the communities we serve locally and globally.

Our mission

Our enduring purpose is to drive prosperity and improve lives through education, research and innovation that has impact.

Inspired by our motto Discere Mutari Est – To learn is to change – we will reimagine what a university can be. We will evolve our ways of working, act decisively and innovate so that we can continue to lead change for our community and our region.

Our values

Our values guide how we work, how we make decisions and how we support one another every day in everything we do.

Together, we are:

  • Collaborative and inclusive
    We are stronger for working in partnership and celebrate differences to create a culture of belonging.
  • Innovative and creative
    We inspire each other to push boundaries and solve big problems in unique ways.
  • Empowering and ambitious
    We are aspirational in all our endeavours and empower and enable one another to achieve.
  • Responsible and transformative
    We are responsible and ethical, courageous and confident, bringing meaningful and positive impact locally and globally.

Our location

Bournemouth is a vibrant coastal town, which is part of the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole conurbation in Dorset.

As the largest higher education provider in Dorset, we are proud of our contribution to the region, working with local businesses and equipping our students with skills to support the local economy. This includes recent, significant investments in facilities and skills for cyber defence and innovation from the Office for Students and Ministry of Defence.

We work with health and care providers and have partnerships with University Hospitals Dorset and Dorset Healthcare University Foundation Trust, supporting initiatives to improve the health of people in our local community.

Two thirds of Dorset is designated as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and we are passionate about protecting our environment. Our work with partners including the National Trust involves students in monitoring and supporting important habitats, such as Purbeck Heaths National Nature Reserve.

Dorset boasts a strong creative and digital sector and the success of our computer animation, visual effects and computing teaching programmes have played a big part in that. From developing Oscar-winning graduates to using augmented reality to enhance visitor experiences, we make sure our students are learning for a digital world.

Our collaborations also have an international reach – from new Transnational Education partnerships in China to our renowned Disaster Management Centre which assists communities and governments around the world in crisis preparedness and recovery.

Our 65-acre sports campus Chapel Gate is at the heart of local sporting activity and home to eight community clubs, with over 3,000 visitors each week. We are also a proud educational partner of Premiership football club, AFC Bournemouth, which provides real-world learning experiences for our students.

Bournemouth University benefits from a wonderful location, situated between one of the UK’s newest national parks, seven miles of sandy beach and the second largest natural harbour in the world, with the World Heritage Jurassic Coast located nearby. The favourable climate, good schools, and a wide range of cultural festivals all make Dorset a great place to live and work, with varied choices across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and the wider Dorset region.

Bournemouth is well connected to the rest of the UK – and Europe – when it comes to travel links. A regular rail service means we are only around two hours from London, with further destinations around the UK easily accessible via train or coach. Bournemouth Airport offers scheduled and charter services. Gatwick and Heathrow are also within easy travelling distance too.

The role

Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost (AQ3778)

Apply now

The role

Position: Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost
Department: University Executive Team, Office of the Vice-Chancellor
Accountable to: Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer

Role purpose

Reporting to the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost will be a member of the University Executive Team (UET), demonstrating the values and expected behaviours of the University.

You will:

  • Support and deputise for the Vice-Chancellor and CEO in the leadership, management and day-to-day operation of the University. The portfolio of activities will be agreed annually with the Vice-Chancellor and CEO to reflect the delivery of BU2035 strategic priorities.
  • Support the Vice-Chancellor and CEO through sound judgment and decision making in leading transformational change to ensure BU is positioned to maximise opportunities and to build on our successes.
  • Lead the institutional ambitions for high performance in our academic and research activities. This will include driving rapid step change improvement in the quality of our learning and teaching, student experience and graduate outcomes and associated metrics across the institution.
  • Lead the development of an outstanding environment and performance in Research, Innovation and Enterprise.
  • Lead on and be accountable for delivery of the academic elements of the strategic plan and TEF, REF and KEF institutional performance, assuring the Vice-Chancellor and CEO and the University Board, through sponsorship and timely delivery of strategic projects and, setting the framework for operational delivery, monitoring progress, and managing performance.
  • Hold executive responsibility for Student Services, providing strategic oversight to ensure high-quality, integrated services that support student wellbeing, engagement, success and an outstanding student experience.
  • Participate in (and in some cases chair/lead) a number of University committees relevant to the area of responsibility.

Strategic accountabilities

  • Work with the Vice-Chancellor and CEO, and other members of UET, to shape and inform BU’s strategic direction and oversee all aspects of delivery.
  • Energise and drive the transformation of the culture at BU to ensure engagement in our vision, strategic plan, and organisational values.
  • Be a key contributor to identifying and driving continuous improvement in education, student experience and research performance and play an important part in the leadership of all aspects of BU – leading on the implementation of the new strategy and vision.
  • Take full accountability to ensure the delivery of the academic activity within the strategic plan, assuring the Vice-Chancellor & CEO and the University Board, through the establishment of delivery strategies and plans, sponsorship of projects, setting the framework for operational delivery, monitoring progress, and managing performance.
  • Lead the University in areas of delegated responsibility, including taking a visible corporate leadership role on issues assigned and agreed by the Vice-Chancellor and CEO to strive to deliver strategic outcomes.
  • Maintain strategic oversight of the University’s distinctive academic offer, portfolio of courses and the new BU Learning Model, working closely with PVC Deans of Faculties and Deans (Education and Student Experience/Research, Enterprise and Innovation/Global Engagement and Strategic Partnerships) to ensure a high-quality student experience, innovative pedagogy and a dynamic, market led portfolio.
  • Develop and deliver action plans to ensure delivery of all relevant Key Performance Indicators, Objectives and Key Results.
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements related to areas of responsibility.
  • Manage risk effectively and undertake horizon-scanning to proactively inform medium to longer term risk planning and mitigation.
  • Effectively communicate institutional strategy and priorities to internal and external stakeholders. To include engagement with external stakeholders to develop and maintain strategic partnerships and build effective and productive relationships with key influencers in government, business, and professional bodies.
  • Further the profile and standing of the University by proactively seeking opportunities to promote the University to potential UK and international academic partnerships, collaborators, investors, business partners and other key stakeholders.
  • Actively develop an inclusive environment where BU values are demonstrably evident in working practices, promoting the interests and values of the University internally and externally.
  • Promote the well-being of all staff and students, fostering a culture of respect in all aspects of operation and leading, supporting and being sensitive to the different needs of students irrespective of their characteristics, location, or mode of study.
  • Play a key role in leading the optimisation and streamlining of business operations, realising future digital potential and efficiency.
  • Act as a Director of subsidiary companies as appropriate.
  • Undertake other such duties as required by the Vice-Chancellor and CEO including deputising, as required.

Specific responsibilities

  • To support and deputise for the Vice-Chancellor and CEO in the leadership, management, and day-to-day operation of the University, at external events and including international travel, where required. The portfolio of activities will be agreed annually with the Vice-Chancellor and CEO to reflect the developing strategic needs of the University.
  • To collectively, with the University Leadership Team, contribute to policy and strategy formulation and ensure effective resourcing and management to enable the delivery of the strategic plan.
  • Provide leadership and line management to the Pro-Vice Chancellor Deans of three faculties, three pan University Deans (Education and Student Experience/Research, Enterprise and Innovation/Global Engagement and Strategic Partnerships).
  • To have executive oversight of the effective delivery and coordination of the University’s academic strategy and planning activities, including the strategic planning cycle and KPIs in liaison and consultation with the UET, and reporting to the Vice-Chancellor and CEO. This role is integral to driving both institutional success and financial sustainability.
  • To drive positive change in the quality of learning and teaching and lead on continuous improvement of our student experience and satisfaction and associated student survey results.
  • To lead the university submissions for the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), Research Excellence Framework (REF) and Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) working closely with relevant Deans.
  • Work with other members of the University Leadership Team to lead and monitor performance of significant corporate projects and strategic transformational change priorities that will transform student and staff experiences and deliver the ambitions, KPIs and OKRs of BU2035.
  • To lead and ensure robust and effective academic governance and quality assurance of the academic portfolio, collaborative provision and UK and international academic partnerships.
  • Through external networking, horizon scanning and liaising with appropriate colleagues, ensure that BU is aware of and responds to the external political, economic, demographic and funding environments as they affect global higher education.
  • In partnership with other members of the University Executive Team, provide strategic oversight on the University’s academic portfolio (size, shape and scope), ensuring that it is fit for purpose, high performing, sustainable, meets external, regional and global skills needs and is aligned to the University’s strategic priorities in delivering our aims to deliver an outstanding education and excellent student experience.
  • Respond to and impact policy change in collaboration with sector stakeholders to position BU as a worldwide leading university for inspiring learning, advancing knowledge, and enriching society through the Fusion of education, research and practice.
  • Work with UET colleagues to ensure effective, fair and balanced workloads for staff in accordance with our policy.

Information governance responsibilities

Data Owner

  • Ensure relevant Information Governance policies are enforced, and any issues are resolved or escalated to the University Leadership Team.
  • Identify and manage data protection risks for their respective data.
  • Determine and approve the usage / access / retention / destruction requirements.

Safeguarding and regulated activity

If the role involves engaging in regulated activity relevant to vulnerable groups including children and disabled adults, it is an offence to apply for and perform the role, if a person is barred from engaging in regulated activity. Further information is available in BU’s Safeguarding Policy and Suitability Statement on the Recruitment and Employment of Ex-offenders.

Additional Information

The purpose of the job description is to indicate the general level of responsibility and location of the position.  The duties may vary from time to time without changing their general character or level of responsibility.

BU is an equal opportunities employer which values a diverse workforce. The post holder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the University’s Dignity, Diversity and Equality Policy Statement.

Our highly skilled and creative workforce is comprised of individuals drawn from a broad cross section of the globe, and who reflect a variety of backgrounds, talents, perspectives, and experiences to build our global learning community.  The post holder must have an understanding of and commitment to promoting a global outlook.

All employees have an obligation to be aware of the University’s Sustainability Policy, Climate and Ecological Crisis Action Plan, Travel Plan, and associated documents, and to ensure that they carry out their day-to-day activities in an environmentally responsible manner and inspire students to do the same.

Person specification

Knowledge

  • Expertise in subject area – a relevant doctorate or equivalent is the normal expectation.
  • Academic standing as a Professor in a discipline relevant to the existing academic footprint of the University, or the ability to demonstrate a strong and sustained academic trajectory.
  • Successful record of academic leadership, strategic development and capacity to successfully lead and manage change in a complex environment.
  • Experience of leading an institutional priority such as REF, TEF or KEF.
  • Expert knowledge of strategic leadership and management, as evidenced through professional / academic qualification and experience.
  • Proven change leadership and management skills that positively and successfully impact and influence strategy, operations, and culture whilst demonstrating values led behaviours.
  • A comprehensive understanding of Higher Education purpose, governance, funding, and markets, including OfS Conditions of Registration.
  • Strong applied knowledge and experience of financial and resource planning, performance management, service delivery at an organisational level, as evidenced through training and experience.
  • Thorough understanding and experience of governance arrangements.
  • A strong career track record of leading, delivering and developing teams which underpin a large and complex organisation.
  • Experience in transforming processes, systems, data, culture, and skills to deliver competitive advantage.
  • An experienced senior manager confident in working at Board level to lead strategy, manage risk and drive performance and engage internal and external stakeholders.
  • Experience of designing, delivering, and evaluating major projects.
  • Experience of coordinating and assuring business planning processes, which are strategically aligned across the institution.

Skills

  • Highly effective strategic planning and implementation, including comprehensive project management skills.
  • Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills to engage diverse stakeholders effectively with complex issues and ideas.
  • Excellent change leadership and management skills that positively and successfully impact and influence strategy, operations, and culture.
  • Strategic planning and implementation, including comprehensive project management skills.

Attributes

  • Ability to build effective partnerships and collaborations between individuals and stakeholder groups engendering shared purpose and the opportunity and motivation to achieve objectives.
  • Agility to manage varied deadlines and workload.
  • Strategic mindset.
  • Ability to optimise business operations in the current digital environment and realise future digital potential.
  • Confident, evidence-based decision making, balancing opportunity and risk.
  • An innovative and solution-focused approach to solving complex problems.
  • A strong value-based ethos and high-quality standards.
  • Values diversity and difference, operates with integrity and openness, and encourages collegiality through an engaging leadership style.
Apply now

Terms of appointment

Employee benefits

At Bournemouth University, our motto is Discere Mutari Est – To learn is to change. Guided by our BU2035 strategy, we are building a future-focused university that empowers people to thrive, embraces innovation, and creates lasting impact through education, research and partnerships.

Our success is driven by our people. We are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone feels they belong, can develop their potential and contribute to work that makes a difference. Whether through advancing knowledge, improving lives, strengthening communities or supporting economic growth, our staff play a vital role in shaping the future.

We are committed to attracting, developing and retaining talented people who share our values of being collaborative and inclusive, innovative and creative, empowering and ambitious, and responsible and transformative.

More than just a job, working at BU gives you the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, alongside access to a fantastic range of staff benefits.

Core package

Pay – a competitive salary with opportunities for pay progression
Pension – a valuable defined benefit pension with generous employer contributions
Holiday – Annual leave entitlement of 30 days plus bank holidays and winter closure
Work life balance – flexible working arrangements including opportunities for hybrid working

You will also have access to a wide range of voluntary benefits:

  • Health & Wellbeing: Employee assistance programme, dental care scheme, health cash plan
  • Financial & Discounts: Discounts including a reduction of fees for family members who study at BU
  • Travel: Cycle to work scheme, secure bike stores, showers and lockers, free bus travel between campuses, discounted bus travel
  • Sports & Activities: Sport BU has a wide range of activities which staff can access
  • Family: Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave, on-site nursery with discounts for BU staff
  • Modern, vibrant campus locations: Bright and flexible work and meeting spaces, with on-site food outlets and coffee shops

How to apply

Anderson Quigley is acting as an employment advisor to the University. An executive search process is being carried out by Anderson Quigley in addition to the public advertisement.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 1st November 2026.

Applications should consist of:

  • A full CV.
  • A covering letter setting out your interest in the role and details of how you match the criteria outlined in the person criteria. Maximum two pages.
  • Details of two referees, though please note that we will not approach your referees without your prior consent and only should you be shortlisted.

Should you wish to discuss further details about the role in strict confidence, please get in touch with Elliott Rae at elliott.rae@andersonquigley.com or +44 (0)7584 078 534 or Aino Betts at aino.betts@andersonquigley.com or +44 020 4526 6913.

Back to top