Associate Director (Subject Cluster Lead)

Please note that this post is currently available only to current employees of the University of the West of England.

This is a key academic leadership role, fixed term for 1 year, within the School of Health and Social Wellbeing. You'll have responsibility for leading and shaping a subject cluster and, as part of this, you will oversee the strategic development, quality and performance of the programmes in cluster 1 (Thereapies), ensuring an excellent student experience and strong academic outcomes.

As part of the School leadership team, you will translate strategic priorities into effective plans, driving innovation in teaching, curriculum development and practice learning. You will work closely with programme teams, students and professional services to continuously enhance delivery, resolve issues and respond to sector developments.

You will lead and support programme leaders and academic staff, ensuring resources and workloads are effectively managed and that teams are empowered to succeed. The role also offers the opportunity to influence the future direction of the subject area, developing new courses, partnerships and opportunities that meet both student and workforce needs.

Alongside your leadership responsibilities, you will maintain your academic profile, contributing to teaching, research and scholarly activity that has impact beyond the University.

Why join us?

• Shape and grow a dynamic portfolio
• Play a key role in School leadership and decision-making
• Drive innovation in teaching, learning and professional practice
• Develop and support high-performing academic teams
• Influence future programme development and external partnerships

About you

You are an experienced academic with a strong track record in teaching, research or professional practice, and with experience of leading programmes, teams or subject areas in higher education.

You bring a clear understanding of the sector and are confident working across both strategic and operational priorities. You can lead change, solve complex challenges and identify opportunities to enhance provision and student outcomes.

You are a collaborative and supportive leader, able to motivate and develop others while building strong relationships across teams and with external partners. You are also committed to creating an inclusive environment where staff and students can thrive.

You will bring:

• Experience of academic leadership and programme or subject management
• Strong knowledge of learning, teaching and curriculum development
• The ability to plan, deliver and evaluate strategic and operational activity
• Experience of quality assurance, standards and regulatory requirements
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• A proactive, solution‑focused approach to innovation and improvement
• A clear commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and widening participation

You are motivated by making a meaningful impact, improving programmes, supporting colleagues and enhancing the student journey, while contributing to a forward‑thinking, inclusive and ambitious academic community.

Where you will be working

UWE Bristol is a campus-based University, with vibrant campus communities that are central to student life.

In this role, you'll be based at our Glenside Campus which is set within beautiful grounds in Stapleton, just three miles from Bristol city centre.

Why UWE Bristol?

We are one of the largest providers of Higher Education in the South West with 38,000 students and 4,000 staff from right across the globe. Based in vibrant Bristol, our ambitions are to make a positive difference to our planet, transforming futures through actions and solving real world challenges.

We offer a wide range of employee benefits including progressive pay rates, very generous annual leave and career average pension schemes as well as retail savings, onsite nursery and opportunities for training and personal development.

Add your individuality to ours

UWE Bristol recognises the power of a truly diverse university community.

We're part of a vibrant, multicultural city and welcome talented people from all backgrounds. Diversity is our strength, enhancing creativity, decision‑making, and problem‑solving. Join our supportive community and thrive.

We particularly encourage applications from global majority and male candidates as we are currently under-represented in these areas within our leadership team, however all appointments are made strictly on individual merit.

As a Disability Confident employer, we encourage applications from disabled or neurodivergent candidates.

Further information

If you would like to speak to us to find out more about this role, please contact Debbie Hubbard, Academic Director: debbie.hubbard@uwe.ac.uk or Georgie Benford, Deputy Dean: georgie.benford@uwe.ac.uk

Shortlisting is expected to be completed within 2 weeks of the closing date depending on application volumes. We aim to give candidates at least a week's notice to attend interview.

This is a full-time post which is fixed term for 1 year.

This post is available on a job share basis for applicants wishing to work part time.

Salary offers are made in line with the University's salary assessment guidelines, reflecting your relevant skills and experience in parity with colleagues.

Right to Work in the UK

If offered a role, you will need to provide valid documentation confirming your right to work in the UK before employment begins. Guidance on acceptable documents is available via the Home Office Right to Work Checklist.

Next Steps

We'd love to hear from you - if this role excites you, please complete our application form as soon as possible and tell us how your skills and experience meet the criteria listed in the Person Specification, using clear and relevant examples wherever possible.

We'll keep you informed of the outcome by email once shortlisting is complete.