Senior Academic Developer – Higher Education

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. If you’re an experienced academic developer looking for your next challenge, we’d love to hear from you.

For more Senior Academic Developer jobs, please submit your CV Here.