Head of School (Business)

About School of Coding & AI

School of Coding & AI (SoC&AI) is one of the UK’s fastest growing education providers, delivering high quality, career focused programmes across Business, Coding, Computer Science & AI, STEM, Health and Social Care.

We work with schools and universities to provide education that leads to real outcomes. Our focus is simple, student first, always.

We are now looking for a Head of School (Business) to lead the strategic development, academic quality and continued growth of our Business Management provision.

About the role

Reporting to the Dean, the Head of School (Business) will provide strategic and operational leadership across our Business Management academic portfolio, ensuring the School delivers high quality teaching, strong student outcomes and programmes that remain relevant to the needs of modern business, enterprise, leadership and management practice.

This is a senior academic leadership role with responsibility for shaping the direction of the business portfolio, strengthening academic standards, supporting curriculum development and driving sustainable growth. You will work closely with Subject Leads, academic teams and senior leaders to ensure the School has the right structure, quality assurance, partnerships and delivery standards in place to support students and meet organisational objectives.

The role will also play an important part in identifying opportunities to expand provision, develop new courses, build external partnerships and strengthen SoC&AI’s profile across business, management, enterprise, leadership, digital business and related sectors.

The postholder will be responsible for maintaining academic quality, regulatory compliance and financial sustainability, while contributing to SoC&AI’s wider growth strategy and ensuring the Business Management School is recognised for quality, relevance, innovation and student success.

What You’ll Be Doing

Strategic Leadership

• Set and deliver a clear academic and commercial strategy for the Business Management School.
• Lead the growth and development of Business Management provision.
• Identify market opportunities, sector needs and curriculum developments that support portfolio growth.
• Contribute to senior leadership forums and wider organisational strategy.
• Ensure the School’s direction aligns with SoC&AI’s priorities, student outcomes and external sector expectations.

Academic Quality & Student Experience

• Own teaching quality, learning outcomes and the overall student experience.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory bodies such as OfS, Ofsted and relevant PSRBs.
• Use data, including NSS, continuation, completion and outcomes, to drive improvement.
• Embed inclusive, accessible and high quality education.

Research, Innovation & Impact

• Develop research, scholarship and knowledge exchange activity across Business Management and related disciplines.
• Encourage applied research, employer engagement and innovation that supports real world business, leadership and management challenges.
• Support staff development, research output and external funding opportunities.
• Align activity with industry needs, employer expectations and regional economic priorities.

People Leadership

• Lead and develop academic teams across the Business Management School.
• Build a high performing, accountable and engaged culture.
• Manage senior roles within the School and support leadership capability.
• Oversee workforce planning and effective deployment of resources.

Financial & Operational Management

• Own and manage the Business Management School budget.
• Ensure financial sustainability and delivery against agreed targets.
• Optimise use of staff, space and resources.
• Respond effectively to changes in funding, demand or market conditions.

External Partnerships & Profile

• Build and manage relationships with employers, universities, professional bodies, business networks and wider sector partners.
• Create opportunities for placements, employability, applied learning and employer engagement.
• Represent the Business Management School externally and strengthen its reputation.
• Develop partnerships that support curriculum relevance, student progression and wider business impact.

Governance & Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with internal policies and external regulations.
• Lead on risk management, safeguarding and health & safety within the School.
• Contribute to academic governance and assurance processes.

Requirements

What We’re Looking For

Essential

• Senior leadership experience within higher education business education, management, enterprise, leadership, digital business or a closely related sector.
• Strong academic or professional credibility within Business Management or a related discipline.
• Proven track record of driving growth, change or performance improvement in an academic setting.
• Experience managing budgets and resources at scale.
• Commercially minded senior academic leadership experience running a high-performing academic team, with responsibility for B3 metrics including student continuation, completion and progression.
• Experience growing departmental offerings and improving education quality and courses to attract new students.
• Experience with OfS or Ofsted regulated higher education environments.
• Experience with OfS, TEF or KEF submissions.
• Experience managing and influencing senior academic and external stakeholders.
• Experience with QAA or PSRB inspections or frameworks.
• Eligible to work in the United Kingdom.

Desirable

• PhD or exceptional work experience in place of a PhD.
• Professorial or equivalent professional standing.
• Experience leading large or multidisciplinary teams.
• Track record of building external partnerships across academia, industry or the wider business community.
• Experience developing new courses or expanding academic provision within Business Management, Enterprise, Leadership, Digital Business or related disciplines.

Benefits

• Salary £60,000-£75,000 per annum plus a performance related bonus of up to £15,000.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Pension scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Strong CPD and development opportunities.
• Company and social events.
• Retail discounts through Bright Exchange.
• Free onsite parking.