About Birmingham City University
At Birmingham City University, we are a diverse and inclusive learning community of over 31,400 students from more than 120 countries. We aim to become an exemplar anchor institution, creating and sharing knowledge for a better and more inclusive society. We are committed to providing a transformational educational experience, supporting world-class research, and fostering a collaborative and supportive working environment for our staff.
Recognised as one of the UK’s Top 250 employers (Financial Times & Statista), we pride ourselves on being a place where colleagues feel valued, supported, and able to grow their careers while contributing to the success of our students and communities.
Our student demographic reflects the rich cultural and ethnic diversity of Birmingham itself, with a significant proportion of students from minoritised ethnic backgrounds and the majority of our home students coming from the West Midlands. This diversity is a strength, and it calls for a workforce that is equipped to challenge deficit narratives and thinking — those assumptions that position students from underrepresented groups as lacking rather than recognising their assets, strengths and potential.
By embracing this perspective, we aim to create an environment where all students and colleagues can thrive, and where our work contributes positively to the social, cultural and economic life of Birmingham and beyond.
About the Role
The School of Arts at Birmingham City University is one of the UK's leading centres for the study of fashion, textiles and creative practice. We are seeking an enthusiastic and inspiring academic to join our BA (Hons) Fashion Communication team.
This is an exciting opportunity for an individual with a strong combination of academic expertise and contemporary industry experience to contribute to one of the UK's longest-established Fashion Communication programmes. We are looking for a creative practitioner with specialist expertise in fashion styling, fashion imaging and visual storytelling who can inspire the next generation of fashion communicators.
Fashion Communication at Birmingham City University is an interdisciplinary course where fashion is communicated through image, narrative and creative direction. Our students combine styling, photography, art direction, graphic design, film, animation, editorial practice, branding, events and emerging digital technologies to create compelling visual experiences for contemporary fashion audiences.
We are particularly interested in applicants who can help students conceive, style, direct and produce fashion imagery in both professional photography studios and on location. Through editorial shoots, lookbooks, campaigns, publications, fashion films and digital content, you will encourage students to develop distinctive visual identities, communicate original ideas and build industry-ready portfolios.
Working within a collaborative team of industry specialists, you will deliver innovative, studio-based teaching informed by contemporary professional practice. Your expertise will complement our existing strengths in graphic communication, visual merchandising, fashion film and branding, while bringing fresh perspectives in styling, fashion photography and image creation.
You will contribute to teaching, curriculum enhancement, industry engagement and the wider activities of the School of Arts, fostering experimentation, collaboration and critical thinking. Above all, you will help prepare graduates who are creative, adaptable and technically accomplished, equipped with the skills and confidence to shape the future of fashion communication.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Student Learning Experience
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Deliver engaging, high-quality teaching using a range of innovative learning, teaching and assessment methods.
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Support the management and delivery of the BA (Hons) Fashion Communications course.
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Supervise student projects and field trips.
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Develop and enhance curriculum content to ensure it remains current, inclusive and industry relevant.
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Assess student work, providing constructive and timely feedback.
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Ensure modules are delivered in line with University quality standards and regulations.
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Embed employability, live projects, industry engagement and real-world learning throughout the curriculum.
Research, Enterprise and Scholarship
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Engage in scholarship and professional practice to enhance teaching and student learning.
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Contribute to research, knowledge exchange and enterprise activities.
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Develop research proposals and collaborative projects where appropriate.
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Disseminate research and professional practice through publications, exhibitions, conferences and industry engagement.
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Build relationships with external partners that support teaching, research and innovation.
Leadership and Collaboration
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Coordinate module delivery and contribute to programme development.
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Work collaboratively with academic and professional services colleagues to ensure an excellent student experience.
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Mentor colleagues where appropriate and contribute to the continuous enhancement of teaching and learning.
Student Support
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Act as a Personal Tutor, providing academic guidance and pastoral support.
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Support students throughout their learning journey and signpost them to specialist services where required.
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Foster an inclusive, supportive and engaging learning environment.
External Engagement
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Develop partnerships with employers, industry professionals and external organisations.
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Contribute to student recruitment, outreach activities and employer engagement.
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Support international partnerships and collaborative activities where appropriate.
Academic Administration
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Undertake academic administration including admissions, timetabling, assessment, examinations and monitoring student engagement.
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Contribute to quality assurance and programme enhancement activities.
Skills and Experience
Essential
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A first degree and postgraduate qualification in a fashion-related discipline.
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A teaching qualification, or willingness to work towards one.
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Experience of teaching within Higher Education.
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Experience of curriculum development, assessment and quality enhancement.
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Strong subject knowledge in fashion branding communication.
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Evidence of excellent teaching and a positive contribution to programme development.
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Experience of research, scholarship or professional practice.
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Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
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Ability to develop effective external partnerships and networks.
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Eligibility for Fellowship of Advance HE (Higher Education Academy Professional Standards Framework).
Desirable
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Experience of leading research projects or securing external funding.
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Evidence of generating income through research, consultancy or industry collaboration.
About You
You are a creative practitioner with expertise in fashion styling, fashion imaging and visual storytelling. Whether your background is in editorial styling, photography, creative direction, image creation or fashion publishing, you bring contemporary industry experience and a passion for inspiring the next generation of fashion communicators.
You have a strong knowledge of both historical and contemporary fashion, supported by a sound understanding of art history, visual culture and contemporary image-making. You are able to draw on these influences to inspire students, contextualise contemporary fashion practice and encourage original, critically informed creative thinking.
You thrive in a studio environment, guiding students through the creative process from concept development and research to styling, art direction and the production of fashion imagery in both professional photography studios and on location. You are passionate about helping students develop strong visual identities through lookbooks, editorial campaigns, publications, fashion films and digital content.
You will bring current industry knowledge, excellent teaching and mentoring skills, and a commitment to creating an engaging, inclusive and ambitious learning environment. As part of a collaborative team of industry specialists, you will contribute to the continued evolution of our curriculum, develop meaningful industry partnerships and support students to become confident, critically engaged and highly employable creative practitioners.
We welcome applications from experienced fashion professionals who are looking to take the next step into higher education. If you are currently working in industry and are considering a career in teaching, we would be delighted to hear from you. We value contemporary professional practice and will support you in developing your teaching and academic career alongside your industry expertise.
Further Information
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Adam Guy, Course Director and Senior Lecturer in Fashion Communication at [email protected]
Why not explore our campuses using our interactive map: Interactive Map | Birmingham City University
Why work for us
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Work–life balance – Generous leave and hybrid working (role dependent).
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Career development – Opportunities to grow, develop and progress your career.
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Reward and wellbeing – Competitive pay, pension, wellbeing support and staff benefits.
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Inclusive culture – A supportive, diverse environment where everyone belongs.
