Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Provost (PERM-DVC-2026)

Lincoln Bishop University is seeking to appoint an exceptional academic leader for the position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Provost. As the University prepares to join Global University Systems (GUS), it enters an ambitious new era driven by Strategy 2030 which defines Lincoln Bishop’s distinctive contribution to meeting local priorities, whilst addressing national and global challenges.

As the University’s senior academic officer and primary deputy to the Vice-Chancellor, the incoming Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Provost will inherit strategic and operational leadership across all academic faculties. This is a rare opportunity for an academic leader to enhance and scale educational opportunity for students, employers and the communities the University seeks to serve, spearhead an innovative and relevant Academic Portfolio, champion a high-performing academic culture, and sustain 160-year heritage of top-tier student satisfaction and teacher training excellence.

Key accountabilities include:

Leading the faculties and portfolio: Provide visible leadership of the Faculties of Education and People and Society, developing a distinctive, research informed and financially sustainable academic portfolio, delivering ambitious targets for recruitment, continuation and completion.

Quality, standards and compliance: Ensure the University meets and exceeds Office for Students requirements on quality and student outcomes and strengthens its Teaching Excellence Framework ratings. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Provost will be accountable at executive level for regulatory compliance and be ready to act as the University's Ofsted nominee for apprenticeships and initial teacher education.

Partnerships and internationalisation: Assure the quality of all UK and international partnerships, lead the University's internationalisation ambitions, and build strong links with employers, schools and professional bodies.

Executive leadership: Deputise for the Vice-Chancellor and advise on all academic matters as a member of the University Executive Group. You will act as executive sponsor for the University's annual priorities. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Provost will provide senior project co-ordination and oversight to ensure delivery of annual strategic priorities, acting as executive sponsor for the projects allocated by the Vice-Chancellor.

The appointed candidate will be a highly capable academic leader who brings:

Qualifications: A Doctorate (or equivalent professional standing), Senior or Principal Fellowship of Advance HE, and eligibility for a professorial appointment.

HE Executive Leadership: Substantial senior leadership experience within a UK higher education setting, with a proven track record of managing academic units or faculties.

Regulatory Understanding: Deep, current working knowledge of the Office for Students regulatory framework, Ofsted inspection toolkits, and Research England funding.

Inspection Performance: A demonstrable history of leading faculties or institutions through successful external regulatory inspection or review.

Values Realisation: A profound commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, with a close affinity for the values and ethos of Lincoln Bishop University.

Applicants wishing to be considered for a professorial title should state this clearly within their initial application cover letter/statement. 

Lincoln Bishop University and Regroup Consulting are committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion across all executive search mandates.

Key dates:

Deadline for applications: Monday 4th January 2027

Initial interviews: week commencing 11th January 2027

Final interviews: week commencing 18th January 2027

How to apply

Lincoln Bishop University is managing this appointment in partnership with Regroup Consulting. 

For an informal and confidential conversation about the role, please reach out to Phoebe Brereton [email protected] or Monika Fryzicka [email protected]. 

For further information please refer to the associated candidate information pack and to apply, submit a CV alongside a covering letter to [email protected] by midday on Monday 4th January 2027.

Closing Date: 04 Jan 2027

Department: Academic

Salary: Competitive salary