Head of Academic Services

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes. 

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

About the College/Department

Our Library is one that supports our communities to realise their ambitions by opening up new areas of knowledge & understanding and through fostering applied creative thinking.

At the centre of our approach is a high-quality student experience, outstanding student outcomes and supporting an excellent research environment. With this in mind, our teams deliver against three core strategic themes:

Community - The original missions of libraries were not about repositories of books or as gatekeepers to knowledge, but about fostering communities of scholars. With that in mind, our focus is on how the Library supports the wide range of communities we have, fostering connection and empowering academic culture.Confidence - There is a fundamental role for the Library to ensure all students become confident, independent learners and researchers. We shall support students to develop confidence and applied creative thinking through our academic skills provision and an industry relevant skills offer that enhances performance whilst at university as well as into their chosen future.Content - Exploration and access to scholarly content is critical to the process of learning, teaching, research, and knowledge exchange. The Library plays a significant role provisioning scholarly content, working with our academic colleagues and students. We shall work to ensure that relevant content is delivered in a sustainable way and that we leverage technology and metadata expertise that enables our students and academics to explore and access the scholarly record. 

About the role

The University of Derby Library is seeking to appoint a Head of Academic Services, a critical role that helps us to deliver conspicuously against the University's purpose and strategic aims.

As Head of Academic Services, you’ll contribute to the leadership and development of the Library, leading strategic direction for the Library’s academic services, supporting research, learning and teaching. You’ll be responsible for the implementation of strategy through operational planning and performance monitoring. You’ll work collaboratively across the University, and as a member of the Library’s Strategic Group you’ll play a key role to ensure the Library’s vision, strategies and service align with the University’s strategic priorities.

About You

To be successful in this role you will be self-motivated and able to work collaboratively with a wide range of colleagues. You’ll leverage your experience in leading academic support services, utilising data, and evidence to inform strategic development, and demonstrate the ability to take a lead in the formulation and implementation of strategic change.

 Key requirements that we are looking for:

A Level 6 qualification, such as an undergraduate degree, or relevant professional experienceExperience of leading academic support services within a Higher Education contextKnowledge of regulatory conditions, policy and practice in Higher Education teaching, learning and academic skillsKnowledge of emerging trends, policy and practice in the research publication and practice landscapeA proactive approach to the development of strategy, operational planning and processes, appropriate to the changing needs of the University

Key Contacts

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Benjamin Veasey, University Librarian via b.veasey@derby.ac.uk.

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement of 42 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)Local Government Pension SchemeSuite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance ProgrammeAccess to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailersDiscounted onsite gymDiscounted access to Devonshire SpaAccess to employer-funded Private Health InsuranceHoliday tradingCycle to Work schemeA flexible working environmentA commitment to personal and professional development

Important Information

This role is eligible for sponsorship by the University, however, your individual circumstances must meet the criteria set out by UKVI; this includes meeting the English Language requirement and earning a salary that meets the highest of either the going rate for the SOC code or the minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker route (£38,700 per annum).

If the role is eligible, but the offered salary is less that the going rate for the role, you may still be able to apply for a Skilled Worker visa if: 

Your job is on the Immigration Skills ListYou’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional trainingYou have a PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job You have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education

Please note that the University cannot confirm your eligibility for sponsorship until an offer is made and your individual circumstances have been considered.

For more information, visit Applying from Overseas - How to apply for a job at the University of Derby - University of Derby

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect everyone who works for us to also share this commitment and to treat people with courtesy and respect.

Closing Date: 20 Oct 2024

Area: Senior Management

Salary: £58,863 to £73,579 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £84,616 per annum).