Shape futures. Build partnerships. Lead innovation.
Are you a strategic leader with a passion for student success, employability, and industry engagement? Do you thrive in dynamic environments where you can influence change, build meaningful partnerships, and inspire high-performing teams?
We’re looking for an exceptional Head of Placements & Engagement to lead how our Faculty prepares over 1,000 students each year for successful careers.
This is a pivotal leadership role where you will:
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Define and deliver the Faculty’s employability and placement strategy, aligning teaching, student support, and industry collaboration to achieve outstanding student outcomes
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Shape a sector-leading placement and application-readiness experience, helping students excel throughout the recruitment process and transition confidently into the workplace
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Lead and inspire a talented placements team, driving innovation, inclusivity, and excellence in teaching and student support
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Build and strengthen strategic partnerships with industry, creating impactful opportunities for students at national and international levels
Strategic Leadership & Innovation
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Develop and implement a forward-thinking industry engagement and placements strategy
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Use labour market insights and data to continuously evolve curriculum and delivery
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Drive innovation in digital learning, application preparation, and student support
Student Experience Excellence
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Oversee a high-quality, inclusive placement learning journey from application to employment
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Embed evidence-based teaching practices that reflect evolving employer expectations
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Ensure all students have access to outstanding, accessible support and resources
Partnerships & External Engagement
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Cultivate long-term partnerships with leading organisations across sectors
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Represent the Faculty at high-profile events, showcasing our strengths and impact
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Collaborate with alumni, employers, and academic colleagues to expand opportunities
Team Leadership & Development
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Lead, coach, and develop a dedicated team of placements professionals
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Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing culture
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Drive continuous improvement through data, insight, and innovation
Why Join Us?
In the Faculty of Science at the University of Bath, we’re proud of our commitment to excellence, innovation, and student success. In this role, you will:
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Play a key leadership role shaping the future of student employability
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Work within a collaborative, forward-thinking academic community
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Lead initiatives that directly impact student outcomes at scale
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Gain opportunities for professional growth, influence, and sector-wide impact
You’re an ambitious and experienced leader who brings:
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A strong track record in strategic planning and delivery within complex environments
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Experience in employability, placements, or work-integrated learning
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Proven ability to build and sustain high-value partnerships
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Confidence with data-driven decision making and curriculum design
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Exceptional communication, leadership, and influencing skills
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A passion for developing people, fostering innovation, and delivering impact
This is a full time role (36.5 hours per week) with an expected start date from September 2026. For an informal discussion regarding the role please contact Amanda Harper at [email protected].
Whilst the post is advertised as full-time, candidates seeking a 0.8 (29.2 hours per week) role are welcome to apply.
We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equity and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.
We're very proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. an accredited Disability Confident Leader; autism friendly university, committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.
We're continually expanding our benefits package to better support you and enhance your experience with us and the below is just an example of some of the many great benefits we offer:
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Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
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Generous employer contributory pension schemes
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Cycle to work scheme
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Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
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Staff discount at Team Bath gym
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Staff benefits include discounted postgraduate tuition and language courses, alongside a wide range of personal and professional development opportunities such as apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning, and more
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Local discounts, including free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
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A family-friendly workplace
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An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
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Relocation allowance
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Visa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses
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Employee assistance services through Health Assured, including access to the Wisdom app
Find out more about our benefits hear from our staff about what makes the University of Bath a great place to work as well as following us X and LinkedIn.
We’re committed to creating a health-supporting working environment where everyone can thrive and be at their best. We offer a range of resources to enable you to do that from your first day here, including:
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Staff support groups and networks
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A network of Staff Wellbeing Champions
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A suite of tools, resources and frameworks that enable you to be at your best and thrive
Find out more about being at your best at Bath.
- Job Description & Person Specification
Right to Work in the UK: We do not assess immigration or right to work status until offer stage. Being invited to interview does not guarantee you are eligible for visa sponsorship and all offers are conditional on meeting right to work requirements. Further information is available on our application support webpage.
Anonymous shortlisting: We are constantly seeking to reduce the unconscious bias that enters any assessment process, with the goal of creating an inclusive and equal assessment process. To support this, personal details such as your name, may be removed from application forms at the initial shortlisting stage.
