Director of Academic Excellence

. Lead and shape the future of teaching, learning and academic practice across Arden University .

Posted 9/25/2026full-timeUnited KingdomLead💰 £90,000 - £100,000 per yearWebsite

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead and shape the future of teaching, learning and academic practice across Arden University
Define excellent academic practice and establish frameworks, capability and support for the academic community
Work with senior academic leaders, Deans and specialist Directors to identify enhancement opportunities
Drive institution-wide improvements in teaching quality, academic development and educational innovation
Lead the Academic Excellence function and create scalable approaches to strengthen academic capability
Promote inclusive and engaging learning experiences and deliver measurable impact for students
Influence academic strategy and translate vision into practical, evidence-led interventions
Improve teaching practice, student outcomes and academic performance
Embed innovation, including effective use of AI in education
Support curriculum and assessment enhancement
Foster a culture where excellent teaching is recognised, shared and continuously developed
Collaborate with faculties, campuses, professional services and external regulatory bodies

What you’ll need

A doctorate or equivalent professional standing is essential
Substantial senior leadership experience in higher education
Strong track record of improving teaching quality, learning and academic practice within higher education
Significant expertise in educational enhancement
Deep understanding of contemporary pedagogy, curriculum design, assessment, academic development and the UK higher education sector
Ability to use data, insight and evidence to identify priorities, develop targeted interventions and demonstrate meaningful impact
Strategic thinking and practical, delivery-focused approach
Ability to challenge established practices, lead change and build high-performing teams
Experience leading large-scale teaching and learning initiatives, academic development programmes or educational enhancement frameworks
Knowledge of digital pedagogy, AI-enabled learning or technology-enhanced education would be advantageous
Regular travel to Arden University UK locations when required
Applicants may need right to work in the UK; sponsorship may not be available for some roles

Comp & perks