Head of Department - Department of Law

Head of Department - Department of Law (LSOS26014) - Birmingham

About Birmingham City University

At Birmingham City University, we are a diverse and inclusive learning community of over 31,400 students from more than 120 countries. We aim to become an exemplar anchor institution, creating and sharing knowledge for a better and more inclusive society. We are committed to providing a transformational educational experience, supporting world-class research, and fostering a collaborative and supportive working environment for our staff.

Recognised as one of the UK’s Top 250 employers (Financial Times & Statista), we pride ourselves on being a place where colleagues feel valued, supported, and able to grow their careers while contributing to the success of our students and communities.

Our student demographic reflects the rich cultural and ethnic diversity of Birmingham itself, with a significant proportion of students from minoritised ethnic backgrounds and the majority of our home students coming from the West Midlands. This diversity is a strength, and it calls for a workforce that is equipped to challenge deficit narratives and thinking — those assumptions that position students from underrepresented groups as lacking rather than recognising their assets, strengths and potential.

By embracing this perspective, we aim to create an environment where all students and colleagues can thrive, and where our work contributes positively to the social, cultural and economic life of Birmingham and beyond.

We are seeking an experienced, ambitious and inspirational academic leader to join Birmingham City University as Head of Department of Law.

Reporting to the Dean of School, you will provide strategic, academic and operational leadership for the Department, playing a pivotal role in delivering the University's Strategy 2030 and driving excellence across learning and teaching, student experience, research and innovation, enterprise and knowledge exchange.

This is an exciting opportunity for a leader who is passionate about developing people, improving student outcomes and building a high-performing, inclusive and forward-thinking academic community.

About the Role

As Head of Department, you will work closely with the Dean of School to shape the strategic direction and future development of the Department. You will be accountable for delivering key Departmental performance measures, including B3, TEF, REF and KEF, and ensuring that the Department contributes strongly to the University's wider strategic ambitions.

You will lead a culture of excellence, collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement, developing distributed leadership and empowering colleagues to take ownership of their work, develop their careers and make a meaningful contribution to the Department's success.

Key areas of responsibility will include:

• Providing strategic and operational leadership to ensure the Department meets and exceeds its key performance indicators.
• Leading the implementation of School and University plans across learning and teaching, student experience, research and innovation, internationalisation, enterprise and knowledge exchange.
• Developing a strong culture of collegiality, accountability, ambition and professional excellence.
• Leading, managing and developing colleagues across the Department, including recruitment, induction, mentoring, performance management, professional development and career progression.
• Effectively managing the Department's people, financial and physical resources, ensuring these are aligned with strategic priorities and delivered within agreed budgets.
• Supporting curriculum and programme development and ensuring high-quality teaching, learning and assessment.
• Using staff and student feedback, performance data and management information to identify opportunities for improvement and enhance the student and staff experience.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with relevant external organisations, professional bodies, industry, government and other stakeholders.
• Promoting and supporting research, scholarship, innovation, enterprise and knowledge exchange activity.
• Ensuring effective workload allocation and the appropriate use of academic workload planning processes.
• Championing equality, diversity and inclusion, ensuring an environment in which all staff and students can thrive.
• Promoting high standards of health, safety and wellbeing across the Department.
• Representing the School and University on relevant internal and external committees, networks and working groups.
• Contributing to cross-School and University-wide strategic projects and initiatives.
• Maintaining an appropriate academic and external profile through teaching, research, scholarship and engagement with professional and disciplinary networks.

About You

We are looking for an accomplished academic leader who can demonstrate a sustained record of successful leadership and academic achievement within higher education.

You will have the credibility, vision and interpersonal skills to inspire colleagues, build strong relationships and deliver meaningful change. You will be comfortable operating strategically while also ensuring that plans are translated into measurable outcomes.

You will bring:

• Proven success in delivering excellent academic outcomes in a leadership role.
• A strong track record of leading academic practice and academic development to enhance the student learning experience.
• The ability to provide clear, inclusive and effective leadership, fostering collegiality, ambition, productivity and accountability.
• Experience of leading and developing people, including recruitment, performance management, mentoring and professional development.
• Experience of budgetary management, resource allocation, curriculum and programme development.
• A strong understanding of contemporary approaches to teaching, learning and assessment, student engagement, employability and the effective use of learning technologies.
• A sound understanding of the UK higher education regulatory environment, including the OfS, DfE, Home Office and UKVI, together with relevant professional, statutory and regulatory requirements.
• A demonstrable commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion across teaching, education and the student experience.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and team-working skills.
• The ability to work collaboratively across organisational boundaries and contribute effectively to University-wide strategic initiatives.
• A commitment to continuing professional development and to supporting the development and career progression of colleagues.

Desirable Experience

We would particularly welcome applications from candidates who can also demonstrate:

• A doctoral qualification in Law or a relevant discipline.
• Principal Fellowship of Advance HE under the UK Professional Standards Framework.
• Professorial status, or eligibility for professorial appointment.
• An active research profile with evidence of external contribution to the discipline and knowledge creation.
• Experience of successful collaboration between higher education, industry, commerce, research organisations and professional bodies.
• Experience of external examining.
• Involvement with external quality assurance agencies.
• Knowledge of the wider UK higher education research and policy environment, including the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.

Why Join Birmingham City University?

This is an opportunity to take a leading role in shaping the future of Law at Birmingham City University and to make a significant contribution to the University's Strategy 2030.

You will join a dynamic academic environment where student success, academic excellence, research, professional engagement, inclusion and innovation are central to our ambitions.

If you are an experienced academic leader with the vision, energy and collaborative approach to lead a Department through its next phase of development, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Further Information

If you are excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of the BCU we would love to hear from you.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Liz Smart at

Interviews for this role are scheduled to take place on week commencing 2 November 2026.

Why not explore our campuses using our interactive map: Interactive Map | Birmingham City University

Why work for us

• Work–life balance– Generous leave and hybrid working (role dependent).
• Career development– Opportunities to grow, develop and progress your career.
• Reward and wellbeing– Competitive pay, pension, wellbeingsupportand staff benefits.
• Inclusive culture– A supportive, diverse environment where everyone belongs.

Closing Date: 18 Oct 2026

Department: Management

Salary: £80,000 per annum
Permanent

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