The University of Manchester
Vice-Dean for Teaching, Learning and Students, Faculty of Humanities
The University of Manchester is one of the world’s leading universities, renowned for excellence in research, teaching and social responsibility. Celebrating its bicentenary in 2024, Manchester has a proud legacy of discovery – from splitting the atom to creating graphene. Ranked 34th globally and 6th in the UK (QS 2025), and 2nd worldwide in the THE Impact Rankings for its work on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the University continues to shape the world through research, innovation and education.
The Faculty of Humanities, Manchester’s largest, brings together over 21,000 students and 2,450 staff across four Schools: Alliance Manchester Business School; Arts, Languages and Cultures; Environment, Education and Development; and Social Sciences. With a strong international profile, the Faculty delivers world-class education and research that address global challenges in sustainability, inequality and economic development.
The University now seeks to appoint an exceptional Vice-Dean for Teaching, Learning and Students within the Faculty of Humanities. This senior academic leadership position is responsible for shaping, delivering and enhancing the Faculty’s priorities for teaching, learning and the student experience, in alignment with the University’s Manchester 2035 strategy.
The Vice-Dean for TLS will provide strategic leadership in developing and implementing the Faculty’s teaching, learning and student experience priorities. The postholder will champion innovation in curriculum design, assessment, digital education and inclusive teaching, fostering a culture of continuous improvement informed by data, student feedback and external benchmarks.
A key focus will be on advancing flexible, personalised and digitally enabled learning, and making partner-enabled learning a signature of every Manchester degree. The role oversees the quality and consistency of the student journey, from recruitment and induction through to graduation and employment, and promotes student engagement, co-creation and the integration of the student voice in decision-making.
The Vice-Dean will also drive initiatives to widen participation and promote social mobility, supporting the University’s ambition to deliver a transformative, values-led education for a diverse and global student body.
Working collaboratively across the Faculty and University, the Vice-Dean will represent the Faculty internally and externally at the highest level.
Applicants must be at professorial level, with a distinguished academic record and significant experience in higher education teaching and learning. They should demonstrate proven leadership in educational innovation and enhancement, a strong understanding of the UK higher education landscape, including quality assurance and regulatory frameworks, and a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to The University of Manchester on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference IMNX. Alternatively email Belinda.beck@saxbam.com. Applications should be received by noon on Monday 12 January 2026.
With a strong international profile, the Faculty delivers world-class education and research that address global challenges in sustainability, inequality and economic development.