Director of Artificial Intelligence (Academic)

Hours per week: 37

Reporting into: The Provost / Chief Academic Officer

Click here to read the full job description and view our excellent benefits here

This role operates primarily on a remote working arrangement that will require occasional travel into our Coventry head office and Campus locations. Our working model arrangements are a non-contractual benefit so please note that an Arden work location is added to our employment contracts.

About Arden University:

We are an aspirational and multi-award-winning university, delivering rapid growth with ambitious plans to disrupt the HE sector through our passion for innovation and digital education. Our vision is to become the first-choice university for career-focused lifelong learners worldwide, ensuring that everyone, everywhere can access higher education.

There has never been a more exciting time to join Arden University, as we expand into new disciplines, forge worldwide partnerships, and expand our locations.

About our Department:

The Academic Office at Arden University plays an important role in supporting academic governance, quality assurance, and student success. The department oversees key processes such as programme validation and approval, policy development, regulatory compliance, and assessment management.

Working closely with faculties, professional services, and external regulatory bodies, the Academic Office ensures that Arden’s academic standards align with sector benchmarks and accreditation requirements. It is also responsible for enhancing student experience by maintaining fair and transparent academic policies, supporting assessment boards, and facilitating effective learning and teaching practices.

About the Opportunity:

The Director of Artificial Intelligence (Academic) will provide strategic, academic, and operational leadership for the responsible, ethical, and pedagogically robust integration of Artificial Intelligence across the University’s academic portfolio. This senior role shapes how AI enhances curriculum design, assessment strategy, student experience, academic development, and learning analytics, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements, academic standards, and institutional priorities.

This is an academic leadership position—not a technical IT role. The focus is on learning, teaching, quality enhancement, and delivering improved student outcomes through thoughtful, evidence‑based adoption of AI in higher education.

Key responsibilities:

• Enhance and deliver a University wide AI Academic Strategy aligned to institutional priorities and growth ambitions.
• Oversee the development of the Applied AI Academy.
• Lead the integration of AI-enabled learning approaches across undergraduate, postgraduate and professional programmes to enhance classroom engagement.
• Establish principles for AI-informed assessment design that protects academic integrity while promoting authentic learning.
• Establish strategic partnerships with AI/EdTech organisations.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of AI‑enhanced education at a strategic level. You will influence academic practice across the University, lead sector‑leading innovation, and play a pivotal role in preparing students and staff for an AI‑enabled future.

About You:

Essential Criteria:

• Doctorate or equivalent professional standing.
• Senior leadership experience in higher education (e.g. Associate Dean, Director, Head of School).
• Experience in leading AI or digital transformation initiatives in an academic context.
• Demonstrable experience in curriculum innovation and academic transformation.
• Strong understanding of:
  • OfS regulation (including B3)
  • Academic governance
  • Assessment design
  • Learning analytics
• Experience in leading cross-institutional change programmes.
• Evidence of delivering measurable improvements in student outcomes.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience with blended and distance learning models at scale.
• Professional recognition (e.g., PFHEA, or relevant fellowship).

To apply for this role, please click on the 'Apply' button above.

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