Head of Placements & Engagement
Shape futures. Build partnerships. Lead innovation.
Are you a strategic leader with a passion for student success, employability, and industry engagement? Do you thrive in dynamic environments where you can influence change, build meaningful partnerships, and inspire high-performing teams?
This Is a Pivotal Leadership Role Where You Will
- Define and deliver the Faculty’s employability and placement strategy, aligning teaching, student support, and industry collaboration to achieve outstanding student outcomes
- Shape a sector‑leading placement and application‑readiness experience, helping students excel throughout the recruitment process and transition confidently into the workplace
- Lead and inspire a talented placements team, driving innovation, inclusivity, and excellence in teaching and student support
- Build and strengthen strategic partnerships with industry, creating impactful opportunities for students at national and international levels
What You’ll Be Doing
Strategic Leadership & Innovation
- Develop and implement a forward‑thinking industry engagement and placements strategy
- Use labour market insights and data to continuously evolve curriculum and delivery
- Drive innovation in digital learning, application preparation, and student support
Student Experience Excellence
- Oversee a high‑quality, inclusive placement learning journey from application to employment
- Embed evidence‑based teaching practices that reflect evolving employer expectations
- Ensure all students have access to outstanding, accessible support and resources
Partnerships & External Engagement
- Cultivate long‑term partnerships with leading organisations across sectors
- Represent the Faculty at high‑profile events, showcasing our strengths and impact
- Collaborate with alumni, employers, and academic colleagues to expand opportunities
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, coach, and develop a dedicated team of placements professionals
- Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high‑performing culture
- Drive continuous improvement through data, insight, and innovation
Why Join Us?
Role
- Play a key leadership role shaping the future of student employability
- Work within a collaborative, forward‑thinking academic community
- Lead initiatives that directly impact student outcomes at scale
- Gain opportunities for professional growth, influence, and sector‑wide impact
About You
- A strong track record in strategic planning and delivery within complex environments
- Experience in employability, placements, or work‑integrated learning
- Proven ability to build and sustain high‑value partnerships
- Confidence with data‑driven decision making and curriculum design
- Exceptional communication, leadership, and influencing skills
- A passion for developing people, fostering innovation, and delivering impact
Full‑time role (36.5 hours per week). Expected start date September 2026. Candidates looking for a part‑time position (0.8, 29.2 hours per week) are welcome to apply.
Benefits
- Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days
- Generous employer contributory pension schemes
- Cycle to work scheme
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
- Staff discount at Team Bath gym
- Discounted postgraduate tuition and language courses, plus a range of professional development opportunities
- Local discounts, including free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
- A family‑friendly workplace
- Excellent reward package recognising the talents of a diverse workforce
- Relocation allowance
- Visa reimbursement and interest‑free loan for immigration expenses
- Employee assistance services including the Health Assured Wisdom app
We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equity and intersectionality, receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award.
We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.
We are a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant and an accredited Disability Confident Leader; the university is autism friendly and committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.
Right to work in the UK: We do not assess immigration or right to work status until offer stage. Being invited to interview does not guarantee visa sponsorship and all offers are conditional on meeting right to work requirements. Anonymous shortlisting: personal details such as your name may be removed from application forms at the initial shortlisting stage to reduce unconscious bias.
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