Deputy Director of Derby International Business School

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

About the College/Department

Based in our state-of-the-art, £75 million Cavendish Building in the heart of Derby, Derby International Business School (DIBS) is not just educating future business leaders, we are shaping innovators, disruptors, and pioneers ready to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. As a globally connected, regionally grounded and impact-focused Business School, we are committed to empowering people and organisations through applied, industry-integrated business education that prepares graduates for the challenges and opportunities of the future.

Our diverse portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate courses spans disciplines including accounting, business management, international business, economics and finance, marketing, operations, supply chain and logistics, event management, and tourism management. Each programme is carefully designed to combine academic excellence with practical relevance, equipping students with the knowledge, skills, professional behaviours and strategic mindset required to succeed in an increasingly complex global business environment.

We pride ourselves on our commitment to academic excellence, industry relevance and positive societal impact. Our curriculum is designed in partnership with leading organisations such as PwC, Rolls-Royce, and local enterprise hubs, ensuring our graduates develop the capabilities employers increasingly value, including critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, adaptability and digital fluency. Through strong regional and national partnerships, students benefit from placements, networking opportunities, consultancy projects and real-world learning experiences that bridge the gap between theory and practice.

The Cavendish Building plays a central role in delivering this vision, providing a technology-enabled environment where students, staff and external partners collaborate to address real organisational challenges. As a living laboratory for business education, it supports the integration of learning, research, enterprise and engagement, creating opportunities for innovation, experimentation and impact.

Our programmes are accredited by leading professional bodies including CIMA, ACCA, CIM and CIPD, alongside internationally recognised organisations such as EFMD and PRME, reflecting our commitment to quality, credibility and continuous improvement in business education. We are ambitious for the future and are building on our strengths in applied learning, employer engagement, global partnerships and impactful research to create a distinctive Business School that contributes to better business, better society and a better future.

Accounting, Economics and Finance

The Accounting, Economics and Finance discipline at the University of Derby offers a rich and professionally grounded education designed to prepare students for impactful careers in business, finance and public service.

Courses are developed in collaboration with employers and professional bodies, ensuring students gain practical skills, theoretical knowledge and industry insight that reflect current and emerging market needs. Aligned with the wider Business School's commitment to applied learning, students are encouraged to develop critical thinking, professional identity and the ability to make informed decisions in complex business environments.

Our students benefit from hands-on learning experiences through access to cutting-edge facilities including our Financial Markets Lab, equipped with LSEG terminals and industry-standard software, alongside live consultancy projects with organisations such as Chatsworth House. Staff are actively engaged in shaping regional and global business practice, providing opportunities for field trips, employer engagement and international experiences, including participation in International Tax Week in Italy.

We’re proud to be ranked:

• Top 15 for learning resources in Accounting (NSS)
• Top 5 for teaching satisfaction in Economics (Guardian University Guide)
• Top 20 for teaching quality in Accounting and Finance (Times and Sunday Times)

Business and Management

The discipline of Business and Management at the University of Derby is a vibrant hub of innovation, enterprise and global thinking. Rooted in applied, industry-integrated learning and shaped by close collaboration with employers, our programmes empower students to become agile, responsible leaders capable of navigating the complexities of modern business.

With a curriculum accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), cutting-edge facilities and strong links with employers such as Rolls-Royce, Toyota and Bloc Digital, we offer an inspiring environment where academic excellence meets practical impact. Students engage with authentic business challenges, developing the skills, confidence and adaptability required to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Our diverse community of staff and students is united by a shared commitment to shaping the future of business locally, nationally and globally.

Executive Education and Enterprise Development

The University of Derby’s Executive Education and Enterprise Development provision offers a dynamic and responsive portfolio of programmes designed to empower professionals, businesses and organisations to grow, adapt and innovate in an ever-changing world.

At the heart of this provision is a commitment to applied learning and partnership working. Programmes are built around real business challenges and strategic goals, helping individuals and organisations develop the capabilities needed to thrive. Our customers range from professionals seeking career advancement to organisations investing in workforce development, and we provide a range of services including:

• Bespoke workplace learning solutions
• Leadership and Management Degree Apprenticeships
• Short CPD courses
• MBA Global and Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) options

Our aim is to deliver globally impactful, work-integrated learning solutions while remaining deeply connected to the needs of the East Midlands business community, creating lasting value for individuals, organisations and the wider region.

Marketing and Operations

At the University of Derby, our discipline of Marketing and Operations brings together creativity, innovation, strategic thinking and operational excellence to drive business impact.

Our marketing programmes are accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), and our curriculum is developed in partnership with industry to ensure students and staff remain at the forefront of emerging trends and professional practice. Reflecting the Business School's emphasis on industry-integrated learning, students engage with contemporary business challenges while developing the commercial awareness and practical expertise valued by employers.

From digital marketing and brand strategy to supply chain and logistics, our programmes combine creativity with analytical thinking, helping students understand both how organisations create value and how effective operations support sustainable business success.

Tourism and Hospitality

The Centre for Contemporary Hospitality and Tourism at the University of Derby is a vibrant, internationally recognised hub for education, research and innovation in the visitor economy. Bringing together the disciplines of hospitality, tourism and event management, the Centre provides a collaborative and forward-thinking environment where students and staff work together to address the evolving needs of global industries.

Recognised as an International Centre of Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality Education, the Centre is distinguished by the quality of its teaching, curriculum and student experience. Its approach reflects the wider Business School commitment to applied learning, industry engagement and positive impact, ensuring graduates are well prepared to contribute to a rapidly changing global sector.

The discipline is ranked internationally in the Top 50 QS Subject Rankings and consistently ranked among the Top 20 in the UK for:

• Hospitality, Event Management and Tourism (Guardian University Guide 2025)
• Teaching quality (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)
• Student satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2026)

Through strong industry connections, a global outlook and a commitment to innovation, the Centre continues to shape future professionals who can make meaningful contributions to businesses, communities and destinations worldwide.

About the Role

We are seeking an inspiring and ambitious academic leader to join Derby International Business School as Deputy Director.

Working closely with the Director and Senior Management Team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering the School's strategic ambitions. You will provide leadership across academic provision, research, enterprise, external engagement and business development, ensuring DIBS continues to deliver an outstanding experience for students and meaningful impact for employers, partners and communities.

You will lead and develop Heads of Discipline, Programme Leaders and academic teams, creating a culture of excellence, innovation and continuous improvement. You will drive the development of a future focused portfolio, ensuring our programmes respond to employer demand, emerging market opportunities and changing student expectations.

The role will have significant responsibility for supporting student recruitment growth, enhancing academic quality and performance, strengthening research and knowledge exchange activity, developing new income streams, and expanding collaborative partnerships both within the UK and internationally.

As Deputy Director, you will also deputise for the Director as required and act as an influential ambassador for DIBS across the University and with external stakeholders.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a strategic leader who is passionate about shaping the future of business education and delivering measurable impact through people, partnerships and performance.

About You

You will be an experienced and credible academic leader with a strong track record of delivering results within higher education.

Holding a doctorate in a relevant discipline, you will bring substantial leadership and management experience, alongside a deep understanding of academic quality, portfolio development, student outcomes, research and enterprise.

You will have proven success in leading high performing teams, driving organisational improvement and delivering strategic objectives through collaborative and inclusive leadership. Equally comfortable operating at strategic and operational levels, you will combine commercial awareness with academic credibility and an ability to build strong relationships across a diverse range of stakeholders.

We are looking for an individual who can demonstrate:

• Significant leadership experience within a higher education environment.
• A track record of developing and inspiring high performing academic teams.
• Success in delivering improvements in student outcomes, academic quality and organisational performance.
• Experience of leading strategic change and growth initiatives.
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to identify and develop new opportunities.
• Experience of building productive partnerships with employers, professional bodies and external stakeholders.
• A sustained commitment to research, scholarship and academic excellence.
• Exceptional communication, influencing and relationship management skills.

Most importantly, you will share our ambition to create an innovative, inclusive and impactful Business School that prepares students to succeed in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave entitlement of 42 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
• Teacher’s Pension Scheme
• Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
• Discounted onsite gym
• Access to employer-funded Private Health Insurance
• Holiday purchase
• Cycle to Work scheme
• A flexible working environment
• A commitment to personal and professional development

Key Contact

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Alexandra Charles, Director of Derby International Business School via [email protected]

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via [email protected]

Important Information

This role is eligible for sponsorship by the University, however, your individual circumstances must meet the criteria set out by UKVI; this includes meeting the English Language requirement and earning a salary that meets the highest of either the going rate for the SOC code or the minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker route (£41,700 per annum, as of 22nd July 2025).

If the role is eligible, but the offered salary is less that the going rate for the role, you may still be able to apply for a Skilled Worker visa if:

• Your job is on the Immigration Skills List
• You’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training
• You have a PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job
• You have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education

Please note that the University cannot confirm your eligibility for sponsorship until an offer is made and your individual circumstances have been considered.

For more information, visit our website.

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Please find our Safeguarding pages including our Safeguarding Policy here.