Thank you for your interest in the role of Head of Subject for Rehabilitation and Health Professions at Leeds Beckett University.

The School of Health plays an important role in supporting the development of the health and care workforce and in preparing graduates who make a meaningful difference in their professions and communities. Our programmes are closely aligned with the needs of employers and professional bodies, and we work in partnership with a wide range of healthcare providers to ensure our teaching and research remain relevant, responsive and impactful.

The Rehabilitation and Health Professions subject area forms a significant part of the School and includes programmes in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, sports and exercise therapy, sports and exercise medicine, nutrition and dietetics. These programmes attract strong demand from both home and international students and are delivered by committed academic teams who work closely with professional partners and placement providers.

Following the retirement of the current post holder after a decade of leadership, we are seeking to appoint a new Head of Subject who can build on this strong foundation. The subject area is performing well, with robust recruitment, established professional accreditation and strong relationships with practice partners.

Our ambition now is to sustain that success while continuing to evolve. We are looking for a collaborative academic leader who will actively contribute to the School’s wider leadership, support innovation in teaching and learning, research, and knowledge exchange, and help us identify opportunities to further develop and diversify our portfolio and partnerships.

The Head of Subject will play an important role within the School Executive Team and will work closely with colleagues across academic teams, professional services and our external partners.

If you are motivated by the opportunity to contribute to the education of future health professionals and to work in a collaborative and ambitious academic environment, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Leeds Beckett is a modern, professional university with a dedicated, diverse community. Our vision is to be an excellent, accessible, globally-engaged university contributing positively to a thriving northern economy. Our mission is to ensure we use our knowledge and resources to make a positive and decisive difference to people, communities and organisations.

We are a community of around 24,000 students from over 140 countries and 2,600 staff, and our history dates back to the founding of Leeds Mechanics Institute in 1824. We are a major organisation in our region and the University contributes around £500m to the economy each year.

Leeds Beckett has:

• A bold, industrious spirit: We foster innovative thinking to create great graduates, exceptional employees, dynamic citizens and enterprising leaders.
• An environment enriched by research: Our world-leading and internationally-excellent research informs our curriculum and our students’ experience in all areas.
• A community dedicated to success: Our community is made up of people from a diverse mix of cultural and social backgrounds, brought together in a world-class learning environment.
• Excellent corporate services: Students and colleagues can access a range of professional services within our University, specifically designed to support the effective delivery of our academic provision.
• Safe and supportive networks: Our network of colleague and student groups provides safe and supportive environments in which to discuss issues relating to equality and inclusion.

Leeds is a vibrant, modern city with a rich industrial past and on the doorstep of natural beauty. It is the cultural, financial and commercial heart of West Yorkshire and has one of the most diverse economies of all the UK’s employment centres. Leeds is, and always will be, open for business and talent.

Teaching

Working in partnership with our students and the Students’ Union, we have transformed our undergraduate student experience and our students’ learning through exceptional and innovative academic practice and personalised support to our large and diverse student community.

Our teaching activity is organised into 8 Schools creating communities of committed staff and students who are passionate about their subject areas. Our courses feature collaborative, creative and practical learning in modern facilities that enable our students to develop themselves as enterprising citizens whose future contribution has a positive impact.

Research

Our research institutes and centres sustain outstanding research which informs our curriculum and our students’ experience in all areas. This research provides an enriched environment for an excellent research and teaching culture for all aspects of our students’ learning.

The REF 2021 results showed that 53% of the university’s submission was rated 3* and 4* and therefore considered internationally excellent or world-leading. Results were particularly strong in sport and exercise science, leisure and tourism where 89% of the submission was rated 4* or 3*. In the allied health and nursing unit, 80% of the submission was rated 4* and 3*. The results reflect the breadth of our research in these areas which includes improving gender equality in sports coaching, tackling obesity, supporting women with cancer with fertility decisions and improving the training of people working with those suffering from dementia.

Our REF 2021 submission included 352 research staff across 15 units of assessment, double the number of staff included in REF 2014. It included research driving up energy efficiency standards in homes, and understanding and supporting the role of civilian peacekeeping.

Sixty percent (60%) of the School’s REF 2021 submission in UoA 13 (Architecture, Built Environment and Planning) were world leading and internationally excellent and 52% in UoA 11 (Computer Science and Informatics). Our research environment has improved greatly since then with the ambition to submit a greater proportion of our staff for the next REF.

Corporate services

Students and colleagues can access a range of professional services within the University designed and operating to support the effective delivery of our academic provision.

Services for students include Libraries, Sport & Active Lifestyles, Student Services and Campus & Residential Services.

Departments including Finance, Estates, Information and Technology Services and Human Resources ensure the University runs efficiently, that colleagues get the support and advice they need, and services for students are accessible and focused on meeting their needs.

Our Schools

Our 8 Schools are:

• School of Built Environment Engineering and Computing
• Leeds Law School
• Leeds School of Arts
• Leeds Business School
• School of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Carnegie School of Education
• School of Health
• Carnegie School of Sport

Our campuses

We provide creative and contemporary learning environments packed with the latest technology, creating a focal point for new and innovative thinking.

City Campus: City Campus is in the heart of Leeds, ideally placed to connect with hundreds of businesses and organisations that offer work placements and employment opportunities to many of our students. The City Campus puts students and staff at the centre of a dynamic business community in a city with a thriving job market. Our award-winning buildings, the Rose Bowl and Broadcasting Place, are located at the City Campus, along with our new state-of-the-art Leeds School of Arts, which opened in 2020.

Headingley Campus: Headingley campus, about two miles away from the city centre, is set in 100 acres of beautiful parkland with historic buildings dating from 1752. The rich history and parkland setting coexists with modern sport science laboratories, animation and music studios and the latest computing labs. Our main sports facilities are based in Headingley alongside our iconic new Carnegie School of Sport. Plans are also in development for a new Carnegie School of Education on the Headingley campus.

Equality and inclusion

Equality and inclusion are essential to our academic and business strengths. We ensure our University community is a place where everyone feels respected, valued and supported to achieve excellence.

We are committed to providing a vibrant, ethical and sustainable working and learning environment that values equality and inclusion and recognises the contribution everyone brings to our University community.

Our network of colleague and student groups help us to help others get the information and support they need. These groups provide a safe and supportive environment in which to discuss issues relating to equality and inclusion, as well as provide support and networking and share best practice.

You can read more about our approach to equality and inclusion here.

University Executive Team structure

See our Executive Team structure here.

Further information

You can read much more about Leeds Beckett University on our website here.

Our university values have a direct impact on everybody in our community, from colleagues with decades of service, to students having their first thoughts about studying here. Our values shape our culture, they give us clarity, consistency, and a common purpose.

If you want to find out more about our commitment, vision and values, visit our ways of working web page.

Equal Opportunities

• We are committed to providing a non-discriminatory and harassment-free working environment for our employees. All our employees are expected to have due regard for those policies when carrying out their duties.

Safety, Health and Wellbeing

• You will maintain a positive attitude to Safety, Health and Wellbeing in carrying out personal responsibilities and co-operate with policy/local rules/codes of practice.

Physical Conditions

• You will be based at the City Campus.

Relationships

• You will work closely with colleagues as a member of the School Executive Team within the School and across the University. You will also maintain and develop links with colleagues externally.

Terms & Conditions

• Terms & Conditions of Service for Senior Staff are as determined by the Vice Chancellor within a framework set by the Board of Governors.
• Grade 10 salary band with the ability to offer higher for the right candidate.
• Annual leave entitlement is 38 days.

Probationary Period

• Appointment to this position may be subject to a probationary period of up to 12 months in line with our probationary policy. A copy of our probationary policy is available on our website or on request from Human Resources.

Pre-employment Health Assessment

• Our University aims to ensure that all employees are placed in a job that is compatible with their health and physical abilities. In accordance with the Equality Act, questions relating to health are asked following an offer of appointment. All offers of appointment are subject to pre-employment health assessment.

Qualifications

• In accordance with our pre-employment processes, it is University policy to verify qualifications for successful candidates. We will need evidence of those qualifications required by the employee specification and claimed on the application form.

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.

Should you wish to discuss either role in strict confidence, please contact Kiersten Avery on +44 (0)7510 384 735 or kiersten.avery@andersonquigley.com or Aino Betts on +44 (0)7743 934 723 or aino.betts@andersonquigley.com.

The closing date for applications is noon on 23rd April, 2026.

Please note, final panels will take place on the 21 May, 2026.

Applications should consist of:

• A full CV.
• A letter of application (maximum of two pages) outlining your motivation for applying for the role and how you meet the points in the Specification.
• Please include details of three referees, though please note that we will not approach referees without your prior consent and only should you be shortlisted.