Head of School

Permanent/fixed term: Fixed Term to 31 July 2027

Hybrid working? No

About us

Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) is a globally leading independent arts, design, performance and media university.

At AUB we nurture creativity, engage communities, collaborate with industry and make a difference.

Our statutory commitments

AUB is committed to meeting its legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and to securing lawful freedom of speech and academic freedom in accordance with the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023. We are committed to providing a working and learning environment that is fair, respectful and free from unlawful discrimination.

We welcome applications from all sections of the community and, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010, particularly encourage applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds and people who are disabled, who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.

AUB holds the Silver Award from Inclusive Employers in recognition of our work to support inclusive practice across the University.

Our commitment to Safeguarding

AUB is committed to maintaining the highest standards of safeguarding.  We take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety and welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk who engage with us, as well as those who work with them.

About the role

AUB is seeking a Head of School to work operationally across the Schools of Fashion and Creative Industries Management and Art, Design and Architecture, leading to the creation of a combined faculty in Autumn 2027. The role is fixed term until 31 July 2027, with a view to making it permanent alongside the establishment of the new faculty structure, from 1 August 2027.

You will work closely with the Dean to provide operational management across the Schools, translating strategic priorities into effective delivery and ensuring agreed objectives are implemented consistently across academic teams.

We are particularly interested in candidates with strong organisational leadership skills, who can use performance data and evidence to drive improvement and inform decision-making. You will need to be confident engaging a wide range of stakeholders, from course teams to senior University colleagues, and skilled at building trust and influencing positive outcomes.

You will have significant experience of academic leadership within Higher Education, including quality assurance, curriculum delivery and staff performance management.

You will be capable of leading operational change and improvement activity, and comfortable balancing competing priorities to deliver high-quality outcomes within agreed timescales.

You will oversee implementation of the Academic Workload Planning Framework, ensuring transparent and equitable workload allocation, and will exercise delegated responsibility for School resources and budgets, ensuring effective and efficient deployment.

You will need to be resilient and adaptive, able to lead colleagues positively through change while fostering an inclusive, high-performing team culture. A Master's degree or equivalent professional qualification, together with a relevant teaching qualification, is essential for this role.

If you would like an informal conversation about the role email the Dean, Jennifer Anyan janyan@aub.ac.uk

Our benefits

In meeting your performance expectations, you’ll receive an annual salary increase in line with the grade of your role. An annual cost of living uplift will be applied, the timing and implementation of which are subject to the University’s decision. AUB provides generous holiday entitlement, and you will be enrolled in the Local Government Pension Scheme (professional services staff) or the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (academic staff) from day one of employment. Along with subsidised bus travel, cycle to work and annual savings schemes, our broad range of benefits can be explored on the AUB careers website https://aub.ac.uk/working-at-aub.

AUB has an agile working policy, and flexible working can be considered. If you require support with your application or have any questions about the role or recruitment process, please email recruitment@aub.ac.uk . If you are disabled, we are committed to supporting you with any reasonable adjustments you require, so please email recruitment@aub.ac.uk and we’ll be in touch.

How to apply

For more information and to apply visit https://aub.ac.uk/working-at-aub. We look forward to receiving your application.

Advert close: Monday 28 September 2026

Interview Date: 15^th October