Transformation Project Consultant; DEGB

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

Our Provost – Learning and Teaching department drives forward the University’s ambition to provide excellence and opportunities for all students; building on Derby’s long-standing reputation for teaching excellence, ensuring the development of sector-leading exible, integrated learning that aligns to the needs of learners, not just now but in the future.

The University of Derby is undertaking a significant programme of academic transformation in response to national policy reform, regulatory change, labour-market challenge and evolving learner expectations. Central to this work is the staged implementation of Block Delivery, underpinned by research-led and industry-integrated curricula, alongside the development of innovative, Civic-facing models that enhance graduate outcomes, workforce wellbeing and community impact. This role provides senior academic project leadership to support the rollout of Block Delivery at Level 7 and the preparation for future implementation at undergraduate level, ensuring consistency, academic rigour and effective governance during a period of major curricula change.

The postholder will bring academic credibility and validation expertise to programme teams, supporting delivery at pace while safeguarding standards, reputation and regulatory compliance.

In parallel, the role provides strategic academic leadership to the development of the Work Health Hub and Health Bus Derbyshire strategies and activity, positioning these initiatives within a coherent Human Sustainability agenda that connects workplace wellbeing, Civic engagement, applied education and research.

This is a 12 month fixed term contract, 22.5 hours per week

We are seeking an accomplished and strategic academic leader with significant experience of senior leadership within higher education and a strong track record of delivering academic excellence. You will bring extensive expertise in postgraduate curriculum design, validation, quality assurance and enhancement, alongside a deep understanding of academic governance and the regulatory landscape.

With a relevant doctoral qualification (or equivalent professional experience at a senior leadership level), you will have successfully led complex institutional initiatives, chaired academic governance and validation activities, and influenced change across academic and professional service teams. You will be adept at translating institutional strategy and Academic Board priorities into effective academic practice, ensuring the highest standards of quality and student experience.

An exceptional communicator and relationship builder, you will possess the credibility to engage and influence senior academic stakeholders, professional bodies and regulatory partners. You will combine sound judgement, strong analytical skills and a collaborative leadership style to manage complex challenges, identify and mitigate risk, and deliver strategic outcomes at pace while maintaining academic integrity and coherence.

• Generous annual leave entitlement of 42 days…