Senior Academic Developer – Higher Education
Permanent
£48,000 – £52,000 per annum
Hybrid (occasional on-site)
We’re working with a leading UK university to appoint a Senior Academic Developer who will play a pivotal role in driving academic development, leading AdvanceHE-accredited programmes, and shaping professional development initiatives across the institution.
The Role
As Senior Academic Developer, you’ll take responsibility for designing, delivering, and evaluating a comprehensive academic development portfolio, including both accredited and non-accredited programmes.
Key elements of the role include:
* Programme leadership of AdvanceHE-accredited academic practice programmes (e.g. PGCert/APA).
* Oversight of teaching, assessment, mentoring, exam boards, reporting, and accreditation processes.
* Delivery of a structured CPD framework in academic practice aligned with the 2023 UK Professional Standards Framework (PSF).
* Leading annual academic development events, including a major institutional Education Conference.
* Contributing to scholarship and dissemination of effective practice through publications, workshops, and presentations.
* Working collaboratively with professional services, faculties, and sector bodies to ensure provision reflects institutional priorities and sector best practice.
Main responsibilities
* Lead, evaluate, and enhance accredited and CPD programmes.
* Mentor and support staff with HEA Fellowship, grant, and teaching award applications.
* Participate in AdvanceHE recognition panels.
* Coordinate peer review and observation of teaching.
* Contribute to Quality Assurance processes, institutional reviews, and sector submissions (e.g. TEF).
* Develop and deliver annual workshops and staff development activities.
* Build strong links with sector partners such as AdvanceHE, JISC, ALT, and SEDA.
* Maintain accurate records of academic development engagement and outcomes.
* Publish and present on effective practice to raise the university’s external profile.
The essential criteria for this role is:
* Senior Fellowship of AdvanceHE (SFHEA).
* Experience as a Programme Lead on a PGCert or equivalent.
* Expert knowledge of the AdvanceHE UK Professional Standards Framework (2023).
* Track record of designing, delivering, and evaluating academic CPD.
* Proven experience mentoring colleagues through Fellowship and other recognition routes.
* Demonstrated ability to lead academic development initiatives.
Desirable:
* A PhD or equivalent.
* Expertise in curriculum design and assessment across blended, online, and face-to-face modes.
* Understanding of quality assurance and enhancement in HE.
* Experience supporting postgraduate students.
* Strong communication, mentoring, and stakeholder engagement skills.
This role offers the opportunity to lead sector-accredited programmes, influence institutional teaching practice, and build visibility across the HE community. Aside from a competitive salary, the role offers a wide range of benefits including 30+ days of annual leave (plus closure/bank holidays), flexible working, and a generous pension scheme. If you’re an experienced academic developer looking for your next challenge, we’d love to hear from you.