Applications are invited from senior academic colleagues (Professorial level) across the University for the role of Director of the Creative Manchester Platform, commencing in summer 2026. Internal applicants are very warmly encouraged to apply.

This is a significant academic leadership role at the heart of the University's interdisciplinary research ecosystem, supporting the Manchester 2035 Strategy and Creative Manchester’s key research themes: Creative Industries, Innovation and CreaTech; Creative and Civic Futures; and Creativity, Health and Wellbeing.

The Director will lead the development and delivery of Creative Manchester’s strategic vision, working closely with the AVP (Cultural Portfolio), Platform Directors, the Deputy Director, Theme Leads and a cross-Faculty research community. The post holder will strengthen cultural, civic and research partnerships, enhance innovation-led activity, expand external collaborations, and grow an active interdisciplinary research network.

Applicants must be senior academic colleagues with an active international research profile, experience of interdisciplinary collaboration, and a strong record of academic leadership. They should be able to lead and inspire academic and PS colleagues, communicate strategically, and engage effectively with diverse partners across culture, policy, industry and academia.

Terms of Appointment

The role is for three years in the first instance (with the possibility of extension to five years) and carries a 0.5 FTE workload allocation. The appointee will retain their substantive academic post.

A Job Description and Person Specification can be found here: JD and Person Specification  

How to Apply: Via JobTrain by 5pm on 5 May 2026.

Interview Date: 5 June 2026.

Informal enquiries: Professor John Mcauliffe – John.Mcauliffe@manchester.ac.uk

Applications are invited from senior academic colleagues within the Faculty of Humanities for the role of Programme Director, Humanities New Academics Programme (HNAP), to commence as soon as possible. 

This is a key academic leadership role supporting the Faculty’s commitment to excellence, inclusivity and consistency in teaching and academic practice. The postholder will provide academic leadership for HNAP, the Faculty’s mandatory development programme for new academic staff. Working closely with School HNAP leads and Professional Services colleagues, the Programme Director will ensure the programme remains coherent, high quality, inclusive and aligned with Faculty and University priorities for education and academic development. 

Role Overview 

The Programme Director will lead the academic design, delivery and continuous enhancement of HNAP, ensuring that programme content, learning activities and assessment are robust, inclusive and aligned to the Advance HE Professional Standards Framework (PSF) 2023. The postholder will provide oversight of assessment, moderation and academic standards, maintaining consistency and fairness across Schools. 

The role involves close collaboration with School HNAP leads, mentors, assessors and the professional services team supporting programme administration. The Programme Director will also represent the Faculty in University‑level discussions relating to academic development pathways and Advance HE Fellowship, ensuring appropriate alignment and comparability with other Faculty provision. 

About the Candidate 

Applicants will be credible and experienced senior academic colleagues with a strong commitment to teaching, academic development and the support of new academics. They will bring experience of assessment and quality assurance in higher education, along with the ability to lead, influence and work collaboratively across Schools and Professional Services. The successful candidate will be confident managing complex stakeholder relationships and communicating clearly about expectations linked to probation and professional recognition. 

Applicants should have: 

• Credibility as a successful academic with a strong track record in teaching and supporting student learning. 

• Demonstrable understanding of the development needs of new academic staff and experience of designing or supporting professional learning in higher education. 

• Experience of assessment design, marking and moderation, with a strong commitment to fairness, transparency and academic standards. 

• Ability to lead and influence across Schools and Professional Services, building effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. 

• Excellent communication and organisational skills, including the ability to manage complex processes and sensitive issues appropriately. 

Experience of supporting or assessing professional recognition (e.g. Advance HE Fellowship), and/or strong working knowledge of the Advance HE Professional Standards Framework (PSF 2023) would be desirable. 

Term and Workload 

The post will be held for three years in the first instance, with the possibility of renewal by mutual agreement. The role carries a 0.2 FTE (20%) workload adjustment. The postholder will retain their substantive academic appointment and return to that role on completion of their Programme Director term. An additional allowance will be payable in accordance with University policy. 

Further Information 

A full Job Description and Person Specification can be found here: Job Description and Person Specification 

How to Apply 

Applications (CV and brief supporting statement) should be submitted electronically to: 

Gemma Keaveney gemma.keaveney@manchester.ac.uk 

Closing date: 19th May 2026 5pm 

Interview date: To be confirmed

Informal enquiries: Sarah Dyer Sarah.Dyer@manchester.ac.uk

Applications are invited from senior academic colleagues (Senior Lecturer and above) within the Faculty of Humanities for the role of Associate Dean, Teaching, Learning and Student Experience (Digital Education), to commence by agreement (exact start date to be confirmed). 

This is a key academic leadership role supporting the Faculty’s strategic commitment to high‑quality, inclusive and innovative digital education. The postholder will provide academic leadership for the development and delivery of a Faculty‑wide approach to digital education, working closely with Schools, academic leaders and Professional Services colleagues to embed effective, ethical and pedagogically sound digital practice across teaching, learning and assessment. 

Role Overview 

The Associate Dean (Digital Education) will lead Faculty activity relating to digital education, digital transformation and the responsible adoption of AI and emerging educational technologies. The role involves translating University digital education strategy into coherent, sustainable and context‑appropriate practice across the Faculty, ensuring alignment with University frameworks, platforms and governance. 

Working in close partnership with the Vice‑Dean for Teaching, Learning and Students, Associate Deans, Heads of School, Directors of Teaching and Learning and digital education colleagues, the postholder will support academic innovation, inclusive learning design and the development of digital capability and confidence among academic staff. The Associate Dean will represent the Faculty on relevant University committees, working groups and steering groups, and contribute, as appropriate, to external and sector‑facing digital education activity. 

About the Candidate 

Applicants will be credible and experienced senior academic colleagues with a strong commitment to teaching, learning and the enhancement of the student experience through digital and technology‑enhanced education. They will bring experience of leading or supporting digital education initiatives within a School or Faculty context and demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively across academic and professional services boundaries. 

The successful candidate will show a clear understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with digital transformation, AI and emerging technologies in higher education, alongside a strong commitment to inclusive, student‑centred and ethically informed digital practice. They will be confident leading change, influencing across diverse stakeholder groups and communicating effectively at Faculty and University level. 

Applicants should have: 

• Credibility as a successful academic with experience of leadership in digital education, technology‑enhanced learning or pedagogical innovation 

• A clear understanding of digital transformation, AI and emerging technologies in teaching, learning and assessment 

• Experience of leading or contributing to School‑ or Faculty‑level digital education initiatives 

• Ability to translate institutional strategy into practical, discipline‑appropriate academic practice 

• Strong collaborative skills and the ability to lead and influence across academic and professional services teams 

• Excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills 

Experience of working with University digital platforms, learning design teams or external digital education networks would be desirable. 

Term and Workload 

The post will be held for a period of three years in the first instance. The role carries a 0.4 FTE workload adjustment. The postholder will retain their substantive academic appointment and will revert to that role on completion of their Associate Dean term. An additional allowance will be payable in accordance with University policy. 

Further Information  

A full Job Description and Person Specification can be found here:  Job Description and Person Specification

How to Apply 

Applications (CV and brief supporting statement) should be submitted electronically to: 
Gemma Keaveney gemma.keaveney@manchester.ac.uk 

Closing date: 19th May 2026 5pm 
Interview date: To be confirmed 

Informal enquiries: 
Fiona Smyth  fiona.smyth@manchester.ac.uk

Applications are invited from senior academic colleagues within the University of Manchester for the role of Academic Lead for Research Partnerships (Special, Scientific and Cultural Collections), to commence on 01^st September, or as soon as possible thereafter

This is a role for a new senior academic research and innovation lead. The successful candidate will focus on developing the academic work and grant capture on research collections across the University of Manchester Library (UML) and the wider Cultural Institution collections’ research activities. They will partner and engage with a community of academic researchers, curators, conservators and imaging specialists, and further network excellent existing practice. The role focusses on supporting the upcoming 'Activating Collections' research challenge which is a crucial component of the M2035 strategy.

Term and Workload:

The post will be held for three years in the first instance, with the possibility of renewal by mutual agreement. The role carries a 0.4 FTE (40%) workload adjustment. The postholder will retain their substantive academic appointment and return to that role on completion of their Academic Lead term. 

The post holder will be a member of the Advisory Group for Special, Scientific and Cultural Collections AGSSCC and will engage regularly with Faculty leadership to ensure strategic alignment. They will report to the Director of Creative Manchester and Chair of Creative Manchester Board (Vice‑Dean for Research (Humanities)). They will also report through AGSSCC and CIGC to the VP and AVP Research, and to the AVP Cultural Portfolio.

About the Candidate:

Applicants will be a credible and experienced senior academic colleague with a commitment to UML vision for Special, Scientific and Cultural Collections and the capacity to build a team to deliver it and the broader research culture around collections across our Cultural Institutions.

Applicants should have: 

• An extensive and consistent record of world‑leading research.
• Success in securing external research funding.
• A strong understanding of the University’s Special Collections and commitment to advancing research engagement with these collections.
• An ability to foster collaboration across academic, Library and other Cultural Institution staff.
• Proven team‑building, management and leadership skills across staff and doctoral and postdoctoral researchers.
• A strong understanding of the dynamics of the funding landscape.
• An ability to form, develop and sustain effective internal and external partnerships.

Experience of working in the cultural/heritage sector and success in fundraising would be desirable. 

Further Information:

A full Job Description and Person Specification can be found here: Job Description and Person Specification

How to Apply:

Applications (CV and brief supporting statement) should be submitted electronically to Kim Hunter kim.hunter@manchester.ac.uk  

Closing date: 5pm, 12 June 2026

Interview date: 29 June 2026

Informal enquiries: John McAuliffe, Associate Vice-President (Cultural Portfolio) john.mcauliffe@manchester.ac.uk