Subject Lead for Built Environment

About the role

The University is seeking an exceptional academic leader to take on the role of Subject Lead for Built Environment within our vibrant new School Senior Management Team. This is a pivotal leadership position, responsible for the overall success of the Subject, contributing to the wider leadership of the College and University, and ensuring that corporate and strategic aims are met.

The successful candidate will bring subject expertise and a strong focus on research, teaching, and industry engagement in the Built Environment. They will work proactively with the Head of School, other Subject Leads, and central University units to support and develop staff, students, and partners in alignment with the University’s values and behaviours.

Derby has a rich heritage in construction, infrastructure, and rail, reflected in many of the School’s areas of expertise. The city’s investment in zero carbon research and its partnerships with internationally leading industries highlight the University’s role in driving innovation and shaping future talent.

As Subject Lead, you will have devolved responsibility from the Head of School for the line management of staff, providing strong, supportive, and challenging leadership to maximise people potential and engagement across academic activities. You will maintain high standards in teaching, learning, and assessment, lead by example through active engagement in teaching, research, and scholarship, and ensure excellence in student experience and success. You will also initiate and encourage professional and industrial engagement to enhance academic enterprise, undertake sector horizon scanning, benchmark performance, and identify new opportunities for collaboration and growth.

This is a unique opportunity to make a critical contribution to a College that delivers STEM solutions to pressing national and global challenges through education, research, and knowledge exchange.

Interviews will take place on : Thursday 8thJanuary 2026

Conferment of an Associate Professor / Professorial title can be considered along with this role.

About You

We are seeking a strategically astute and engaging academic leader with a proven track record in industry collaboration, effective management, and driving excellence across education and research. The ideal candidate will bring a deep understanding of how Built Environment disciplines align with societal needs and market dynamics, and will translate strategic aims into impactful academic delivery.

You will foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, recognising opportunities for external partnerships and knowledge exchange to deliver real-world impact and solutions to some of society’s most pressing challenges. With significant experience in higher education teaching and academic leadership, you will also demonstrate strong commercial acumen, including budget management and financial oversight.

Committed to maintaining personal research and scholarship, ideally contributing to REF, you will share our values of inclusivity and social mobility, ensuring all learners thrive within a vibrant academic community. A collaborative and inspiring leadership style will be key to building high staff engagement and a positive team spirit.

Principal accountabilities

Academic Development and Leadership

• Provide strong, inspiring and collaborative leadership, create a positive team spirit, maximise people potential and engagement across the Subject area and wider University, so as to foster a vibrant and innovative academic community.
• Enhance the full range of academic activities in the Subject area, including teaching and learning, impactful research, professional development, industry engagement academic enterprise and scholarly activity.
• Undertake sector horizon scanning and benchmarking performance against competitors to enhance the strength and performance of the Subject area.
• Lead the Subject area(s) in achieving the highest standards within TEF, NSS, PTES and PRES by addressing all aspects of academic quality and the development of learning and teaching practices that address relevant issues.
• Cultivate the academic development, review and teaching of programme provision within the Subject area(s).
• Actively foster collaborative relationships with the Registry and other Professional Support Service Departments to ensure the needs of the Subject areas within the College / School are being supported.
• To lead teams and activities to ensure a challenging and supported student experience which inspires them to achieve academically to their highest potential.
• Take the lead in ensuring the professional accreditation of programmes is achieved in the Subject area(s) where appropriate.
• Ensure the commitment to, and development of, academic enterprise, collaborative partnerships, and consultancy and commercial activities and manage these within staff workloads.
• Promote and embed the University’s core values with specific emphasis on quality, employability, and social mobility.
• Represent the Subject area or College / School externally as necessary.
• Actively contribute to the School Leadership Team to provide effective academic leadership.

Management

Quality Assurance and Governance

Person specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

Experience

Skills, knowledge & abilities

Business requirements

Desirable Criteria

Qualifications

Benefits