Head of School (Computing & IT)

Reporting to the Dean, the Head of Computing & IT will provide strategic and operational leadership across our Computing and IT academic portfolio, ensuring the School delivers high quality teaching, strong student outcomes and programmes that remain relevant to the needs of the technology, digital and computing sectors.

This is a senior academic leadership role with responsibility for shaping the direction of the Computing & IT 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 computing, IT, digital technology, software development, cyber, data, AI 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 Computing & IT 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 Computing & IT School.
• Lead the growth and development of Computing, IT, Computer Science and digital technology 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 SoCAI’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 Computing, IT and related disciplines.
• Encourage applied research, sector engagement and innovation that supports real world technology, digital and computing challenges.
• Support staff development, research output and external funding opportunities.
• Align activity with industry needs and regional priorities.

People Leadership

• Lead and develop academic teams across the Computing & IT 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 Computing & IT School budget.
• Ensure financial sustainability and delivery against agreed targets.
• Optimise use of staff, space and resources.
• Respond effectively to changes in funding or demand.

External Partnerships & Profile

• Build and manage relationships with employers, universities, technology companies, digital organisations, professional bodies and wider sector partners.
• Create opportunities for placements, employability, applied learning and sector engagement.
• Represent the Computing & IT School externally and strengthen its reputation.
• Develop partnerships that support curriculum relevance, student progression and wider industry 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.

Do you have experience in Teaching?, Do you have a Doctoral degree?, Essential

• Senior leadership experience within higher education, computing, IT, computer science, digital technology or a closely related sector.
• PhD or equivalent qualification.
• Strong academic or professional credibility within Computing, IT, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data, Cyber, AI or a related discipline.
• Proven track record of driving growth, change or performance improvement.
• Experience managing budgets and resources at scale.
• Experience working within regulated or accredited education environments.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Experience with inspections or frameworks such as QAA, Ofsted or PSRBs.

Desirable

• Professorial or equivalent professional standing.
• Experience leading large or multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience with OfS, TEF or KEF submissions.
• Track record of building external partnerships across academia, industry or the wider technology sector.
• Experience developing new courses or expanding academic provision within Computing, IT, Computer Science, digital technology or related disciplines.

Pulled from the full job description

• Annual leave
• Employee discount
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking
• Company pension
• Company events

• On-site parking, * Salary £60,000 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.

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 Computing & IT to lead the strategic development, academic quality and continued growth of our Computing, IT, Computer Science and digital technology provision.