Head of Engineering

Engineering College of Technology (ECT) is a United Kingdom higher education provider delivering industry-focused engineering and technology education to students both within the UK and internationally.

ECT works closely with industry partners and academic stakeholders to deliver practical, career-focused higher education programs designed to meet the evolving needs of the engineering sector. The institution forms part of the broader EIT/ECT global education network and is committed to delivering high-quality student experiences, strong academic outcomes, and supportive learning environments.

ECT places a strong emphasis on student engagement, academic progression, student wellbeing, and graduate success, with a focus on continuous improvement and alignment with UK higher education sector expectations and Office for Students (OfS) requirements.

Role Overview

The Head of Engineering is the senior academic leader of Engineering College of Technology (ECT) and is responsible for the academic quality, standards, delivery and enhancement of the institution's engineering provision.

Reporting to the Head of College, the postholder provides academic leadership across all engineering programmes and acts as the principal academic advisor to the Head of College on matters relating to academic quality, curriculum development, student academic outcomes and academic governance.

The role is responsible for the leadership and management of Programme Leaders and the wider academic team, ensuring that ECT's programmes are delivered to a high standard, remain academically rigorous and industry relevant, and continue to meet the expectations of students, employers and regulators.

Whilst the Head of Engineering is the senior academic leader within ECT, overall institutional leadership, operational management, governance, strategic direction and organisational accountability remain the responsibility of the Head of College. The Head of Engineering therefore works as a key member of the senior leadership team, providing academic leadership and expertise in support of the wider institutional objectives of the College.

Working closely with the Dean (EIT), the Head of College and other senior colleagues, the postholder will support ECT's continued development as a high-quality specialist higher education provider and contribute to future accreditation, industry engagement and institutional growth initiatives.

Location: Hybrid, Stevenage Office

Reports to: Head of College

Academic Mentoring and Strategic Academic Support: Dean (EIT)

Key Responsibilities

Academic Leadership

• Provide academic leadership across all engineering programmes.
• Promote excellence in teaching, learning, assessment and student outcomes.
• Foster a culture of academic quality, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Provide academic leadership to Programme Leaders and the wider academic team.
• Ensure academic activities support ECT's strategic objectives and student success priorities.
• Promote reflective practice, scholarship and professional development across academic staff.
• Champion high-quality online technology-enhanced learning approaches.

Programme Leadership and Curriculum Development

• Hold overall academic responsibility for the quality and performance of ECT's engineering programmes.
• Lead curriculum development, review and enhancement activities.
• Ensure programmes remain academically rigorous, industry relevant and aligned with UK higher education expectations.
• Support the development of new programmes and academic initiatives.
• Ensure curricula reflect current engineering practice, emerging technologies, sustainability principles and professional competencies.
• Monitor developments in engineering education and professional standards.
• Support the development and engagement of Industry Advisory Panels and external stakeholders.

People Leadership and Academic Management

• Line manage Programme Leaders.
• Support Programme Leaders in managing lecturers and hourly paid lecturers.
• Ensure effective academic workload planning and resource allocation.
• Support recruitment, induction and development of academic staff.
• Monitor academic performance and provide coaching and support where required.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing academic culture.
• Ensure academic staffing arrangements support programme quality and student outcomes.

Academic Quality Assurance and Governance

• Lead academic quality assurance and enhancement activities across ECT.
• Ensure compliance with OfS requirements, the UK Quality Code and institutional academic regulations.
• Oversee annual programme monitoring, programme review and enhancement processes.
• Monitor external examiner reports and ensure appropriate actions are implemented.
• Support the preparation of quality assurance reports and committee papers.
• Chair or participate in academic committees, assessment boards and quality-related panels as required.
• Ensure consistent implementation of policies relating to assessment, academic integrity, appeals, academic misconduct and mitigating circumstances.
• Support institutional readiness for audits, reviews and regulatory engagement activities.

Student Success and Academic Outcomes

• Monitor academic performance indicators including progression, retention, completion and student achievement.
• Review student feedback, module evaluations and performance data to drive continuous improvement.
• Work collaboratively with the Student Experience Manager and wider professional services teams to support student success.
• Support interventions for students identified as being at risk academically.
• Promote inclusive and accessible learning environments.
• Ensure academic provision supports positive student outcomes and graduate success.

Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) Development

• Lead academic preparations for future PSRB accreditation activities.
• Support alignment of programmes with Engineering Council UK-SPEC requirements and other relevant professional standards.
• Develop evidence frameworks and supporting documentation for accreditation activities.
• Engage with professional bodies including the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and other relevant organisations.
• Ensure programmes remain aligned with industry and professional expectations.

Industry Engagement and External Relationships

• Support the development of industry partnerships that enhance programme quality and student employability.
• Contribute academic expertise to employer engagement and partnership activities.
• Support opportunities for applied learning, industry projects and professional engagement.
• Represent ECT at academic, professional and industry events.
• Build relationships with employers, professional bodies and academic partners.

Institutional Leadership and Collaboration

• Act as a member of the ECT Senior Leadership Team.
• Provide academic advice and guidance to the Head of College and Board of Governors as required.
• Work collaboratively with professional services teams to support institutional priorities.
• Contribute to institutional planning, growth and enhancement activities.
• Support organisational initiatives relating to quality, compliance, student success and operational effectiveness.
• Contribute to the development of institutional policies, procedures and academic frameworks.
• Maintain strong collaborative relationships across academic and professional services functions.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Eligibility to teach and lead programmes within UK higher education.

Desirable Qualifications

• Doctorate (PhD or Professional Doctorate) in Engineering or a related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or eligibility to obtain professional registration.

Essential Knowledge and Experience

• Significant academic leadership experience within UK higher education or a comparable regulated educational environment.
• Experience managing academic teams and leading programme delivery.
• Strong understanding of Office for Students requirements and UK higher education quality assurance frameworks.
• Experience of curriculum development, programme review and quality enhancement.
• Experience working with academic governance structures and quality assurance processes.
• Knowledge of Engineering Council UK-SPEC requirements and engineering education standards.
• Experience supporting online, blended or technology-enhanced learning environments.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
• Ability to analyse academic performance data and drive improvement initiatives.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience leading change and improvement initiatives.
• Strong understanding of GDPR requirements
• Strong understanding of OfS regulation, UK Quality Code, and higher education quality assurance processes.

Desirable Knowledge and Experience

• Experience within a specialist or independent higher education provider.
• Experience of PSRB accreditation activities.
• Experience developing industry partnerships and employer engagement initiatives.
• Experience supporting international or transnational education activities.
• Experience working within engineering-focused higher education provision.
• Experience contributing to the growth and development of a small, specialist, or emerging higher education provider.

How to Apply

Please send your CV and cover letter via the 'Apply' button above (jobs@ect.ac.uk)