Head of School for Health, Sport and Rehabilitation
Hybrid
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location with the opportunity to work remotely available in line with our Adaptive Working Framework.
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.
At the heart of shaping future professionals and creative thinkers, the College of Health and Humanities brings together two dynamic and diverse schools:
School of Health and Social Care Preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals and social care leaders through hands on learning, expert teaching, and strong industry partnerships. Our courses are designed to meet the demands of real world practice and improve the health and wellbeing of our communities.
The School is made up of a broad range of subjects, reflecting the diversity and complexity of modern health and social care settings:
- Adult Nursing
- Associate and Enhanced Healthcare Practice
- Midwifery, Children's Nursing and Professional Practice
- Mental Health and Learning Disability Nursing
- Public Health and Social Care
- Diagnostics and Clinical Interventions
- Therapy and Rehabilitation
Through an integrated approach to learning and professional development, our students are equipped with the knowledge, values, and skills to thrive in their chosen fields and make a lasting impact.
School of Humanities, Law and Creative Arts Celebrating creativity, critical thinking, and cultural exploration. This school nurtures writers, performers, thinkers and artists, offering opportunities to grow intellectually and creatively across subjects like English, History, Creative Writing, Fine Art, and Media.
Whether exploring the past, shaping future policy, telling powerful stories, or creating inspiring work, our students develop the skills and confidence to contribute meaningfully to society and the creative industries.
Together, the College of Health and Humanities delivers a rich, interdisciplinary environment where students gain the skills, experience, and inspiration to make a meaningful impact in society.
About the discipline of Therapy and Rehabilitation The discipline of Therapy and Rehabilitation at the University of Derby champions the restoration of health, function, and wellbeing; empowering people to live life to the fullest.
Our wide-ranging expertise spans Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Therapeutic Arts, and related rehabilitation professions.
Through evidence based teaching, interprofessional collaboration, and immersive clinical education, our students gain the skills to support recovery and enhance quality of life across a diverse range of populations and settings. Our programmes are enriched by research informed practice, creative methodologies, and strong connections with health and care providers.
The Therapeutic Arts strand integrates the healing power of creative expression with clinical insight; an innovative area that continues to grow in impact and relevance.
The successful candidate will join the teaching team delivering teaching, facilitating learning and engaging in the assessment processes across a range of modules/ subject areas on the undergraduate, postgraduate, professional and post experience programmes. You will engage with the universities quality monitoring policies and procedures related to module and programme delivery, as well as undertaking wider duties such as personal academic tutoring, timetabling, marketing, admissions and student recruitment, open days and graduation events.
The anticipated interview date is Tuesday 7 th July 2026. From the 1 st August this role will sit within the School of Health, Sport and Rehabilitation.
- Effectively teach and facilitate learning on a range of subjects / modules within the subject area on undergraduate, postgraduate, professional and post experience programmes.
- Ensure that knowledge from research and scholarly activities informs and enhances learning and teaching, as well as extending it to appropriate external activities such as knowledge transfer activities.
- Ensure that module / programme design and delivery comply with the quality standards and regulations of the University.
- Participate effectively in the assessment process, including the setting, marking and moderation of student work, providing constructive feedback and ensuring it is in accordance with quality assurance procedures.
- Participate in the continuing review and development of module/programme delivery, incorporating innovative study modes, learning environments and pedagogic practices to engage and stimulate students, deliver effective learning outcomes and develop the skills and attributes of the 'Derby Graduate'.
- Take on relevant module leader and/or programme leader responsibilities, including associated marketing, recruitment, delivery and ongoing programme development activities.
Research / Scholarship
- Engage in individual research and collaborate both internally and externally on research projects that are consistent with the College, and contribute to influencing leading edge practice in the University and contribution to the REF.
- Sustain and enhance the reputation of the University by publishing in appropriate quality journals and presenting at scholarly activities such as workshops, conferences and other similar events.
- Develop and maintain contacts and relationship with relevant professional, research and industrial organisations.
- Contribute to writing bids for externally funded research projects.
Other
- Act as a personal tutor, supporting and mentoring students as appropriate.
- Provide pastoral care to students, referring when necessary to services that provide further support.
- Support marketing and student recruitment activities as required.
- Develop external links in order, for example, to support student recruitment, secure student placements, facilitate outreach work, generate income or build relationships for future activities.
- Be responsible for administrative duties in areas such as admissions, timetabling, examinations and assessment of progress and student attendance.
- Contribute to effective cross College / University working.
- Observe and implement University policies and procedures.
- Good Honours Degree or Master's Degree in relevant subject discipline or equivalent qualification/experience
- Fellowship of the Advanced HE (HEA) or willingness to work towards
- PhD (or submitted and awaiting examination) or equivalence accepted in a relevant subject area, for example by publication or through appropriate professional achievement or willingness to work towards within an agreed timeframe
- Hold current registration with the HCPC as an Occupational Therapist
- Subject specific qualifications / knowledge
Experience
- Experience of working as an Occupational Therapist
Learning / Teaching
- Experience or knowledge of quality assurance and validation of HE modules / programmes
- Experience or knowledge of higher education and ability to use a range of delivery techniques to inspire and engage students
Research / Scholarship
- Demonstrable experience of own discipline to enable the development of new knowledge and understanding within the field
- Experience of research / enterprise activity
- Evidence of active publishing in high quality journals or other outputs in research or practice that will contribute to the REF or other areas identified in the College / University Research Strategy
Skills, knowledge & abilities
- An appropriate level of digital capability and aptitude with practical experience of applications which aid student learning
- Ability to communicate complex and conceptual ideas to a range of groups
- Proficient in using IT to support own work and for application to technology enhanced learning / teaching and research activities
- Excellent written and oral communication skills including networking and relationship building skills, both across the University and externally
- Able to demonstrate both independent self management and team working
- Able to work with competing priorities and to tight deadlines
- Demonstrates competences, core behaviours and supplementary behaviours that support and promote the University's core values
- Demonstrates professionalism in learning / teaching and the values of the UK Professional Standards Framework for HE . click apply for full job details
