Associate Dean - Learning and Teaching Enhancement

Anderson Quigley is delighted to be partnering once again with University Academy 92 (UA92) on the appointment of an Associate Dean, Learning and Teaching Enhancement.

Terms:

This is a permanent appointment based in Manchester, with hybrid presence of 2-3 days per week across UA92’s campuses. A competitive salary is negotiable dependent on experience, together with a discretionary bonus of up to 20%.

UA92 offers flexible and hybrid working, a comprehensive benefits package and an inclusive, ambitious culture where colleagues are empowered to challenge convention, shape strategy and transform lives through education. Lancaster University is our awarding body and a critical partner in our academic and financial governance.

Who is UA92?

UA92 was created to challenge the traditional university model. Founded by the Class of 92 and powered by our partnership with Lancaster University, we were built on a simple belief: that higher education should be accessible, relevant and capable of changing lives.

Everything about UA92 has been designed to be deliberately different. We recruit students with potential rather than focusing purely on polished educational histories. We build our learning around careers, confidence and personal growth. To achieve this, we work closely with employers, champion social mobility and embrace innovation. Most importantly, we focus relentlessly on helping students succeed.

Seven years on, we have established ourselves as one of the UK’s most distinctive higher education providers. Our student community continues to grow, our outcomes continue to strengthen, and our ambition continues to expand. The next phase of our journey, however, requires more than just a focus on growth. What we are determined to create now is an academic experience that reflects the future of higher education – one that combines outstanding teaching, inclusive practice, digital innovation, strong academic standards and genuine employability.

Overview of the role:

This is an institution facing leadership role shaping learning, teaching and academic enhancement across the entirety of UA92. Reporting to the Executive Dean and sitting on the leadership team, you will set the strategic direction for academic practice, curriculum enhancement, assessment, pedagogy and academic quality.

Working across both academic and professional services teams, you will strengthen academic culture, enhance teaching practice and drive institutional performance to make UA92 outstanding. Your key role in improving continuation, progression and student satisfaction will ensure that regulatory expectations are consistently met and exceeded. Alongside this, you will also champion inclusive curriculum design and support the embedding of innovative, future focused approaches to learning, including employability, digital capability, enterprise and AI enabled practice.

Through your leadership and the line management of your Heads of Department and Course Leaders, you will shape best practice and influence the evolution of academic structures as the institution grows. For the right individual, this role offers progression towards Dean level leadership as UA92 continues to develop. We are seeking someone driven to build a deliberately different model of higher education where both academic excellence and widening participation are fundamentally aligned.

Essential criteria:

• You may currently be an Associate Dean, Deputy Dean, Head of Department, Head of School, Head of Academic Practice, Director of Learning and Teaching or similar academic leader with institution wide influence.
• Whatever your title, you will bring a proven track record of improving learning, teaching, curriculum and student outcomes in higher education, underpinned by experience of academic enhancement, quality assurance and educational leadership within regulated environments.
• You will have successfully led change in academic practice, using evidence, insight and data to improve teaching quality, support colleagues and enhance student continuation, progression and success.
• You will bring expertise in inclusive curriculum design and contemporary pedagogic practice, with an interest in digital innovation and AI enabled learning.
• Experience in widening participation environments, modern universities, alternative providers or other mission led higher education settings will be an advantage.
• You will hold a relevant postgraduate qualification and teaching qualification. Meanwhile, fellowship of the HEA and doctoral level study would be desirable but not essential.
• Above all, you will share our belief that talent is universal, opportunity is not, and that higher education should transform lives and futures.

How to apply:

We warmly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and particularly from those who are underrepresented at senior levels across higher education. Equity, belonging and inclusion are fundamental to who we are, how we teach and how we lead.

If you wish to apply, please click below to be re-routed to the application portal. Should you wish to discuss the role further or for details on how to progress your application, please direct all enquiries to our advising consultants:

• Eva Tomka: eva.tomka@andersonquigley.com
• Akhil Yerneni: akhil.yerneni@andersonquigley.com

Anderson Quigley is acting as an advisor to UA92. An executive search process is being carried out by Anderson Quigley in addition to any public advertisements. The closing date for applications at present is noon on 18^th June. If you are particularly keen on expressing interest for this role, but the timescales pose an issue to your interest, please reach out to our advisors to explore any discretionary room.