Dean of University of Birmingham Online

The University of Birmingham’s heritage as Britain’s first civic university is combined with an ambitious agenda to continue the transformation of the University. A comprehensive research-intensive institution, which is home to a diverse community of 38,000 students from 150 countries and more than 8,000 staff, we are ranked in the top 100 universities globally. The 2021 Research Excellence Framework saw Birmingham achieve major improvements on all measures, ranking 13^th equal, the biggest rise of any institution in the Russell Group.

The University of Birmingham is already one of the UK’s largest providers of distance learning ranking well within the top ten of the Russell Group. We currently have some 3,400 students studying remotely on our existing portfolio of online degrees. We were a founding contributor to the FutureLearn platform and one of the first Universities within the UK to partner with an OPM services provider. Our Online MBA was the World’s first 100% online MBA to have been accredited by the Association of MBA’s (AMBA). 

At Birmingham, we have an ambitious 2030 strategy to double our research income and break into the top 50 universities globally. Reflective of that ambition, and as pioneers in online learning, we now seek to achieve a step-change in our online portfolio, creating University of Birmingham Online (UoB Online), a new unit dedicated to the design, delivery and support of high-quality digital education and digital learning across the University. UoB Online will build upon the success of our existing online degree portfolio by doubling the size of our online student population and the number programmes offered.

We seek to appoint the inaugural Dean of UoB Online. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced academic to lead this new unit and work with senior colleagues across the institution. Reporting to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) and the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education), this role will work across the University, collaborating with existing leads in each of our five Colleges and with professional services teams to deliver a significant expansion of our online learning provision, and ensure close alignment between online programmes and the broader digital education agenda.

This role offers a major opportunity to shape and advance the digital agenda at Birmingham. Bringing a deep understanding of the provision of global digital education and the pedagogic design of online programmes, the successful candidate will demonstrate innovation in digital education and technology enhanced learning. They will bring extensive experience of collaborating across academic disciplines to identify and develop market opportunities to deliver new online degrees, continuing professional development and short courses. They will bring an inclusive and collaborative approach and demonstrate the ability to build positive relationships internally and externally.

The University is committed to building a fully inclusive and diverse community, including in its senior leadership. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds with the qualifications and experience to undertake this role, including under-represented groups.

Applications should consist of a covering letter, full CV detailing academic and professional qualifications, employment history, latest remuneration and relevant achievements.

Applications can be uploaded at https://candidates.perrettlaver.com/vacancies/. Please quote reference 6452.

The closing date for applications is 09.00 BST on Friday 28^th April 2023.

Salary: Competitive

Location: Birmingham

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