MPLS Associate Head (Taught degrees)
We are inviting expressions of interest for an important senior academic leadership role within the MPLS Division, offering a three-year term. This role provides an opportunity to lead and support the development of the Division’s undergraduate and postgraduate taught degrees portfolio, working closely with departments and colleagues across the University to shape education strategy and policy.
As one of the Associate Heads of Division in our senior academic leadership team, you will play a key role in high-level decision-making across the University. You will support and represent the Head of Division on matters relating to taught degrees, serving as an ex-officio member of the MPLS Divisional Board and General Purposes Committee, and contributing to divisional and University-wide education governance. You will participate in weekly Associate Heads meetings with the Head of Division, addressing a wide range of academic, strategic, and policy matters.
You will be supported in all aspects of the role by the MPLS Taught Degrees team within the Divisional Office, and will work closely with senior colleagues across the Division and the wider University, including counterparts responsible for research degrees and education policy.
Please refer to the full role description here, before applying (Word doc).
Contact communications@mpls.ox.ac.uk if you are unable to access the Word document.
Leadership opportunity
Within MPLS Division, our Associate Heads of Division play a prominent and critical role as part of a leadership team helping to shape the Division’s strategic vision within their individual portfolio, working with the Head of Division, and supporting MPLS departments to deliver their academic mission. Each Associate Head provides academic leadership for their relevant divisional activities, and represents and advocates for MPLS positions in interactions with University leaders, in relevant governance structures, and with external stakeholders as required.
Our key Taught Degrees priorities in MPLS in the short- to medium-term include:
- Working towards eliminating awarding gaps in the Final Honour School;
- Developing competence standards for our degree programmes;
- Refreshing the MPLS Bridging Programme;
- Shaping divisional policy on AI in assessment;
- Supporting the development of new Postgraduate Taught programmes in departments.
How to apply
To apply, please submit a brief Expression of Interest (maximum 500 words) with your CV, by email in confidence, to Tracy Gale (Divisional Registrar) at tracy.gale@mpls.ox.ac.uk no later than noon on Monday 23 March 2026. Interviews will be held with the Head of Division and members of the divisional team during week commencing 20 April 2026.
For an informal discussion about the role, please feel free to contact Jim Naismith (james.naismith@mpls.ox.ac.uk), Tracy Gale (tracy.gale@mpls.ox.ac.uk), Sarah McHugh (sarah.mchugh@mpls.ox.ac.uk) or any other member of our senior academic leadership team.
Further details
This appointment is for three years initially, with the option to request a renewal at the end of that term.
Please note that the responsibilities of this role must be carried out around a candidate’s substantive role, within their existing contractual hours (FTE) and term of employment.
Candidates must be able to dedicate the equivalent of one day a week throughout each 10-week extended term time period to fulfilling the responsibilities of this role.
Individual arrangements to facilitate this will be discussed between the successful candidate, their department, and the Divisional Office. An allowance of £9,217 per annum (as at current 1 August 2025 rates) is offered in recognition of the additional responsibilities an Associate Head takes on during their term in office. The Associate Head’s Department will also receive funding from the Division to cover partial relief from their department or college duties equivalent to 20% of their time.