Senior Tutor

Sidney Sussex College invites applications for the statutory office of Senior Tutor, a senior academic leadership role central to the College’s educational mission, student experience, and institutional governance.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an academically credible and strategically minded individual, committed to academic excellence, to shape teaching, learning, and pastoral provision within a historic yet forward-looking Cambridge college.

The Role

The Senior Tutor is the College’s senior academic officer with overall responsibility for:

• academic standards and educational strategy;
• undergraduate and postgraduate student progress;
• pastoral care, welfare, and safeguarding;
• admissions strategy and oversight;
• leadership of the Tutorial Office and associated services.

The role combines strategic leadership with hands-on academic and pastoral engagement, requiring sound judgment, authority, empathy, and the ability to operate effectively in complex and sometimes demanding circumstances.

The Senior Tutor is a statutory officer of the College, reports to the Master via Council, and is a Fellow of the College.

Academic Leadership

Sidney Sussex is seeking a Senior Tutor who is first and foremost a senior academic leader, able to command the respect of Fellows across disciplines and to lead conversations on teaching quality, academic standards, and student success.

The successful candidate will:

• provide intellectual leadership to the Fellowship on educational matters;
• oversee the supervision system and teaching provision across subjects;
• contribute actively to Fellowship recruitment and academic planning;
• represent the College effectively in intercollegiate and University fora.

Organisational Leadership and Role Design

The Senior Tutor leads and oversees the Tutorial Office, working closely with the Deputy Senior Tutor, Head of Student Wellbeing, Admissions Director, Tutors, Directors of Studies, and professional services staff.  As a Principal Officer of the College, they also work closely with the Master, Bursar and Vice-Master.

Sidney Sussex welcomes candidates who are willing and able to shape the internal organisation of the Tutorial Office, including:

• clarifying the division of responsibilities between Senior Tutor and Deputy Senior Tutor;
• clustering operational and administrative functions where appropriate;
• ensuring that strategic academic leadership is not crowded out by routine administration.

The College’s preferred model is one in which the Senior Tutor provides overall leadership and strategic oversight, while the Deputy Senior Tutor focuses primarily on student services and day-to-day administration. 

Pastoral Care, Availability, and Emergency Responsibilities

The Senior Tutor has ultimate responsibility for the College’s pastoral standards and emergency welfare response.

This includes arranging and overseeing the College’s response to tutorial and welfare emergencies, rather than personally undertaking all duty calls. The role involves close working with Tutors, the Porters’ Lodge, and the Health and Wellbeing team.

Academic Time and Scholarly Activity

The College is open to appointing the Senior Tutor on a full-time basis, while allowing the post-holder to devote up to 20% of their time to scholarly activities (teaching and/or research), without reduction in pay.

This flexibility is intended to sustain academic credibility and attract outstanding academic leaders.

How to Apply

Applications should consist of a CV accompanied by a covering letter addressing the criteria outlined in the person specification.

The preferred method of application is online at www.berwickpartners.co.uk/95138

If you are unable to apply online, please email your application to response.manager@berwickpartners.co.uk

For an informal and confidential discussion, please contact: Clare Bromley Clare.Bromley@berwickpartners.co.uk

Closing date for applications: Midnight Sunday 22^nd February 2026

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