Overview
The University of Sheffield will launch its new Centre for Engineering Education and Skills in the Faculty of Engineering in September 2026 and is seeking a Director to lead the Centre. The Director will provide strategic vision, direction and inspirational leadership for the establishment and future development of the Centre and be responsible for the delivery and further development of the University’s apprenticeship portfolio across engineering disciplines, high‑quality CPD provision and practical engineering education on the faculty’s standard degree programmes.
The Centre will manage and govern the nationally recognised Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre Training Centre (AMRC‑TC) based at the Advanced Manufacturing Park and the Multidisciplinary Engineering Education (MEE) team on the main campus. In this role the Director will work closely with colleagues across the faculty and the Central Apprentice Hub to ensure high‑quality educational provision aligned with regulatory and institutional requirements.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide strategic vision, direction and inspirational leadership for the establishment and future development of the Centre.
- Oversee delivery of the Centre's existing apprenticeship and CPD offer at the AMRC Training Centre and support the University’s ambition of achieving consistently excellent student experience for apprentices at all levels.
- Lead engagement with key external stakeholders, including regional and national partners and employers, and collaborate with them to identify opportunities for mutual benefit.
- Work with schools across the Faculty and with the Central Apprenticeships Hub to develop new portfolios of apprenticeship and CPD programmes up to degree level.
- Collaborate with the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and the High Value Manufacturing Catapult to ensure all funding agreements are fully met.
- Partner with faculty leadership to align the Centre’s strategy with broader educational aims and secure support for new programmes.
- Provide strong line management for academic members of the Executive Team and drive an agenda of excellence, innovation and growth.
- Ensure continuous compliance with regulatory frameworks and maintain Ofsted readiness through continuous improvement.
- Build and maintain positive relationships across the University and foster effective partnership working.
- Ensure safeguarding of apprentices under 18 and implement necessary safeguarding practices.
- Report to the Faculty Vice‑President and contribute to overall faculty leadership and management.
- Assume responsibility for devolved budgets, ensuring income and expenditure achieve financial sustainability.
- Implement appropriate management systems in line with University policies, procedures and processes.
- Carry out other duties as commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
Person Specification – Essential
- An outstanding track record of senior leadership and management within the Further Education and/or Higher Education sectors.
- Effective communicator capable of influencing and inspiring a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders.
- Familiarity with regional policy priorities and the national skills agenda.
- Strategic experience working with external stakeholders and employers, preferably in education, innovation or industry.
- Strong understanding of the regulatory framework for apprenticeship delivery in the UK and direct experience supporting compliance.
- Significant knowledge and experience in educational governance and quality assurance.
- Experience developing new educational products (apprenticeships, CPD, modules, programmes) innovatively and collaboratively.
- Ability to build effective working relationships across organisational boundaries.
- Ability to lead, engage and, where appropriate, constructively challenge a team in pursuit of long‑term plans aligned with the University’s strategy.
- Experience of bid writing to respond to funding opportunities in skills provision.
Person Specification – Desirable
- No specific requirements listed.
Compensation and Salary
Grade: Professorial.
Salary: £71,566 – £111,391.
Work Arrangement
Full‑time.
Benefits
- Minimum 41 days annual leave (including bank holidays and closure days, with the option to purchase more).
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for eligible roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- Discounts and rewards on shopping, dining, and travel.
- Access to a variety of staff networks for development and peer support.
- Recognition awards for outstanding staff contributions.
- Commitment to professional development, including learning and mentoring schemes integrated with the Academic Career Pathways.
- Family‑friendly policies such as paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies, access to menopause support, paid time off and support for fertility treatment, and more.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We are a Disability Confident Leader. Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment; each case is considered individually.
Criminal Record Checks
An enhanced DBS check will be required for this role. Details of checks can be found on the Government website at gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role.
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The University of Sheffield will launch its new Centre for Engineering Education and Skills in the Faculty of Engineering in September 2026 and is seeking a Director to lead the Centre. The Director will provide strategic vision, direction and inspirational leadership for the establishment and future development of the Centre and be responsible for the delivery and further development of the University’s apprenticeship portfolio across engineering disciplines, high‑quality CPD provision and practical engineering education on the faculty’s standard degree programmes.
The Centre will manage and govern the nationally recognised Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre Training Centre (AMRC‑TC) based at the Advanced Manufacturing Park and the Multidisciplinary Engineering Education (MEE) team on the main campus. In this role the Director will work closely with colleagues across the faculty and the Central Apprentice Hub to ensure high‑quality educational provision aligned with regulatory and institutional requirements.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide strategic vision, direction and inspirational leadership for the establishment and future development of the Centre.
- Oversee delivery of the Centre’s existing apprenticeship and CPD offer at the AMRC Training Centre and support the University’s ambition of achieving consistently excellent student experience for apprentices at all levels.
- Lead engagement with key external stakeholders, including regional and national partners and employers, and collaborate with them to identify opportunities for mutual benefit.
- Work with schools across the Faculty and with the Central Apprenticeships Hub to develop new portfolios of apprenticeship and CPD programmes up to degree level.
- Collaborate with the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and the High Value Manufacturing Catapult to ensure all funding agreements are fully met.
- Partner with faculty leadership to align the Centre’s strategy with broader educational aims and secure support for new programmes.
- Provide strong line management for academic members of the Executive Team and drive an agenda of excellence, innovation and growth.
- Ensure continuous compliance with regulatory frameworks and maintain Ofsted readiness through continuous improvement.
- Build and maintain positive relationships across the University and foster effective partnership working.
- Ensure safeguarding of apprentices under 18 and implement necessary safeguarding practices.
- Report to the Faculty Vice‑President and contribute to overall faculty leadership and management.
- Assume responsibility for devolved budgets, ensuring income and expenditure achieve financial sustainability.
- Implement appropriate management systems in line with University policies, procedures and processes.
- Carry out other duties as commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
Person Specification – Essential
- An outstanding track record of senior leadership and management within the Further Education and/or Higher Education sectors.
- Effective communicator capable of influencing and inspiring a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders.
- Familiarity with regional policy priorities and the national skills agenda.
- Strategic experience working with external stakeholders and employers, preferably in education, innovation or industry.
- Strong understanding of the regulatory framework for apprenticeship delivery in the UK and direct experience supporting compliance.
- Significant knowledge and experience in educational governance and quality assurance.
- Experience developing new educational products (apprenticeships, CPD, modules, programmes) innovatively and collaboratively.
- Ability to build effective working relationships across organisational boundaries.
- Ability to lead, engage and, where appropriate, constructively challenge a team in pursuit of long‑term plans aligned with the University’s strategy.
- Experience of bid writing to respond to funding opportunities in skills provision.
Person Specification – Desirable
- No specific requirements listed.
Compensation and Salary
Grade: Professorial.
Salary: £71,566 – £111,391.
Work Arrangement
Full‑time.
Benefits
- Minimum 41 days annual leave (including bank holidays and closure days, with the option to purchase more).
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for eligible roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- Discounts and rewards on shopping, dining, and travel.
- Access to a variety of staff networks for development and peer support.
- Recognition awards for outstanding staff contributions.
- Commitment to professional development, including learning and mentoring schemes integrated with the Academic Career Pathways.
- Family‑friendly policies such as paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies, access to menopause support, paid time off and support for fertility treatment, and more.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We are a Disability Confident Leader. Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment; each case is considered individually.
Criminal Record Checks
An enhanced DBS check will be required for this role. Details of checks can be found on the Government website at gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role.
#J-18808-Ljbffr…