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.

Role Summary

At Birmingham City University, we are transforming how we work, deliver services and support our students. As part of this ambition, we are seeking an experienced and motivated Change Manager to join our Change and Improvement Team on a two-year fixed-term contract and play a pivotal role in delivering strategic change across the institution. This is an exciting opportunity to work on some of the University's most significant transformation initiatives, including improvements to our Student Record System.

As Change Manager, you will work across projects and initiatives to ensure the people side of change is effectively planned, managed and embedded. You will support project and programme teams in understanding the impact of change, developing effective adoption strategies and ensuring that colleagues are equipped to embrace new ways of working. Working closely with senior stakeholders, you will provide expert advice, challenge where required and help create the conditions for successful change.

Projects may range from major technology-enabled transformation, service redesign, and other strategic initiatives that affect colleagues and students across the University.

A key element of the role will be developing and promoting a consistent approach to change management across the University, as well as maintaining oversight of the overall pattern and impact of change activity to help inform decision-making and prioritisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate change management activity across a portfolio of projects and programmes.
• Conduct change impact assessments and identify organisational risks, dependencies and opportunities.
• Develop and deliver stakeholder engagement, communication and change adoption plans.
• Monitor organisational readiness and support leaders in managing change effectively.
• Identify and address resistance to change, enabling successful adoption and benefits realisation.
• Build and maintain an understanding of the overall pattern and workload of change across the University.
• Assess organisational change capacity and advise senior leaders on risks, priorities and emerging concerns.
• Develop and promote change management methodologies, standards, tools and best practices.
• Coach and support project teams, managers and leaders in applying change management principles.
• Support benefits realisation activities and ensure change outcomes are embedded and sustained.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of the University's change management capability and maturity.

Essential Requirements

We are looking for an experienced change professional who can operate confidently within a complex organisational environment and who is passionate about supporting people through change. You will be able to demonstrate:

• Significant experience delivering change within complex programmes and projects.
• Experience developing and embedding change management frameworks, methodologies, standards or toolkits.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Experience working with senior leaders and governance groups.
• Experience assessing change impacts, organisational readiness, adoption risks and change capacity
• Excellent communication, facilitation and relationship-building skills.
• A collaborative and pragmatic approach to problem solving.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities whilst maintaining a strategic perspective.

Desirable Requirements

• Certification in Change Management – CMI, ACMP, PROSCI, etc.
• Built and maintained a picture of the overall pattern and workload of change across an organisation and advising senior management of concerns and issues.
• Demonstrable experience of embedding change management approaches / frameworks across an organisation.

Further Information

You will work on institution-wide programmes that directly support student success, organisational effectiveness and delivery of the University's Strategic Plan. No two projects are the same, and you will have the opportunity to influence change at every level of the organisation, from operational teams through to Executive Group and senior leadership.

If you are excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of the Change and Improvement Team, we would love to hear from you.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Simon Baker, Head of Change and Improvement Team, at simon.baker@bcu.ac.uk.

Interviews for this role will take place on 2nd November 2026.

Why not explore our campuses using our interactive map: Interactive Map | Birmingham City University

Why work for us

• Work–life balance – Generous leave and hybrid working (role dependent).
• Career development – Opportunities to grow, develop and progress your career.
• Reward and wellbeing – Competitive pay, pension, wellbeing support and staff benefits.
• Inclusive culture – A supportive, diverse environment where everyone belongs.

Visa Sponsorship 

This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route, subject to meeting the relevant criteria. For further information, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Closing Date: 19 Oct 2026

Department: Management

Salary: £52,462 to £60,842 per annum
Two-year fixed-term contract appointment

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. 

The Role

We are looking for an experienced and analytical Student Number Planning Manager to join Birmingham City University.

The post holder will be responsible for overseeing student number forecasting and in-year student number reporting, ensuring that information is accurate, timely and supports the University's planning and budgeting requirements.

You will manage the collection of student recruitment targets and student progression modelling, which will support the University's student income model and budget. You will also manage a small team of reporting specialists who produce in-year reports covering enrolment and attrition against key performance indicators.

A key part of the role will be developing and improving student number planning products and scenario modelling. This will help the University respond to changes in student demand, demographics and Government policy.

You will work closely with colleagues across the University, including Academic Schools, Marketing, Recruitment and Communications, Finance and other professional services areas. You will provide advice and guidance on student numbers, enrolment, progression and the data used to support planning and reporting.

This is an opportunity for someone with strong analytical and forecasting experience who is able to work confidently with data, manage a small team and build effective working relationships across the University.

Main Activities and Responsibilities

• Lead a team of student number planning and reporting analysts, ensuring student number forecasts are completed accurately and within the University's budget timetable, including contributing to the Annual Financial Return required by the Office for Students.
• Work with colleagues across the University to collect performance data and student recruitment targets, ensuring the process is clearly documented and that proposed targets are presented for the appropriate committee and Board approvals.
• Provide advice and guidance to colleagues, including managers within Academic Schools, on regulatory requirements, student populations, enrolment numbers and progression calculations.
• Oversee analysis of current-year data and previous-year student statutory returns data to identify trends and performance against University key performance indicators.
• Work closely with Marketing, Recruitment and Communications on student recruitment target setting and with Finance on reporting relating to fee income.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of student enrolment, withdrawal and planning reports and dashboards, ensuring that information is accurate and accessible to colleagues across the University, including the Vice-Chancellor and University Executive Team.
• Ensure processes and documentation are kept up to date and that appropriate arrangements are in place to provide cover within the team.
• Develop scenario modelling that can be used at University, School and academic department level to support planning and decision-making.
• Assess and report on the impact of changes to academic regulations, University processes, strategy, course provision and the external environment on student number modelling.
• Work with colleagues across the Planning and Performance Directorate to support the delivery of departmental priorities and promote effective team working.
• Undertake any other duties as required by the line manager or Director of Planning and Intelligence.

Essential Criteria

You will need to demonstrate:

• A degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject, preferably with a numerate focus.
• Experience of developing forecasting models.
• Experience of managing a small team.
• Advanced data analysis skills, including experience of working with large and complex datasets and advanced Excel and SQL and/or other data extraction and analysis tools.
• Experience of creating dashboards using Power BI or other tool.
• A curious and tenacious approach to problem solving, with the ability to investigate issues and identify appropriate solutions.
• The ability to manage your own workload and the workload of others.
• Good time management and the ability to work to deadlines.
• The ability to work effectively with colleagues and manage upwards, particularly when delivering projects to tight deadlines.
• Experience of working across different departments and building effective working relationships.
• The ability to undertake duties at different University premises, including any University campus, as required.
• The ability to undertake other duties as required by the line manager or Director of Planning and Intelligence.

Desirable Criteria

It would be desirable if you have:

• Experience of delivering five-year student number forecasts within Higher Education.
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Experience of using or extracting data from the SITS student record 
• Experience of negotiating and influencing colleagues and stakeholders.

Apply now and help shape

If you have experience of student number planning, forecasting and data analysis and are looking for an opportunity to make a contribution to strategic planning at Birmingham City University, we would like to hear from you.

This is a key role in supporting the University to understand student numbers, plan effectively and respond to changes in the Higher Education environment.

Apply now and find out more about the opportunity to join Birmingham City University.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Head of Student Number Planning and Reporting, Jo Mellor at Jo.Mellor@bcu.ac.uk

Why not explore our campuses using our interactive map: Interactive Map | Birmingham City University

Why work for us 

• Work–life balance – Generous leave and hybrid working (role dependent). 
• Career development – Opportunities to grow, develop and progress your career. 
• Reward and wellbeing – Competitive pay, pension, wellbeing support and staff benefits. 
• Inclusive culture – A supportive, diverse environment where everyone belongs. 

Closing Date: 12 Oct 2026

Department: Management

Salary: £52,462 to £60,842 per annum
Fixed Term - 18 months

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.

We are seeking an experienced, ambitious and inspirational academic leader to join Birmingham City University as Head of Department of Law.

Reporting to the Dean of School, you will provide strategic, academic and operational leadership for the Department, playing a pivotal role in delivering the University's Strategy 2030 and driving excellence across learning and teaching, student experience, research and innovation, enterprise and knowledge exchange.

This is an exciting opportunity for a leader who is passionate about developing people, improving student outcomes and building a high-performing, inclusive and forward-thinking academic community.

About the Role

As Head of Department, you will work closely with the Dean of School to shape the strategic direction and future development of the Department. You will be accountable for delivering key Departmental performance measures, including B3, TEF, REF and KEF, and ensuring that the Department contributes strongly to the University's wider strategic ambitions.

You will lead a culture of excellence, collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement, developing distributed leadership and empowering colleagues to take ownership of their work, develop their careers and make a meaningful contribution to the Department's success.

Key areas of responsibility will include:

• Providing strategic and operational leadership to ensure the Department meets and exceeds its key performance indicators.
• Leading the implementation of School and University plans across learning and teaching, student experience, research and innovation, internationalisation, enterprise and knowledge exchange.
• Developing a strong culture of collegiality, accountability, ambition and professional excellence.
• Leading, managing and developing colleagues across the Department, including recruitment, induction, mentoring, performance management, professional development and career progression.
• Effectively managing the Department's people, financial and physical resources, ensuring these are aligned with strategic priorities and delivered within agreed budgets.
• Supporting curriculum and programme development and ensuring high-quality teaching, learning and assessment.
• Using staff and student feedback, performance data and management information to identify opportunities for improvement and enhance the student and staff experience.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with relevant external organisations, professional bodies, industry, government and other stakeholders.
• Promoting and supporting research, scholarship, innovation, enterprise and knowledge exchange activity.
• Ensuring effective workload allocation and the appropriate use of academic workload planning processes.
• Championing equality, diversity and inclusion, ensuring an environment in which all staff and students can thrive.
• Promoting high standards of health, safety and wellbeing across the Department.
• Representing the School and University on relevant internal and external committees, networks and working groups.
• Contributing to cross-School and University-wide strategic projects and initiatives.
• Maintaining an appropriate academic and external profile through teaching, research, scholarship and engagement with professional and disciplinary networks.

About You

We are looking for an accomplished academic leader who can demonstrate a sustained record of successful leadership and academic achievement within higher education.

You will have the credibility, vision and interpersonal skills to inspire colleagues, build strong relationships and deliver meaningful change. You will be comfortable operating strategically while also ensuring that plans are translated into measurable outcomes.

You will bring:

• Proven success in delivering excellent academic outcomes in a leadership role.
• A strong track record of leading academic practice and academic development to enhance the student learning experience.
• The ability to provide clear, inclusive and effective leadership, fostering collegiality, ambition, productivity and accountability.
• Experience of leading and developing people, including recruitment, performance management, mentoring and professional development.
• Experience of budgetary management, resource allocation, curriculum and programme development.
• A strong understanding of contemporary approaches to teaching, learning and assessment, student engagement, employability and the effective use of learning technologies.
• A sound understanding of the UK higher education regulatory environment, including the OfS, DfE, Home Office and UKVI, together with relevant professional, statutory and regulatory requirements.
• A demonstrable commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion across teaching, education and the student experience.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and team-working skills.
• The ability to work collaboratively across organisational boundaries and contribute effectively to University-wide strategic initiatives.
• A commitment to continuing professional development and to supporting the development and career progression of colleagues.

Desirable Experience

We would particularly welcome applications from candidates who can also demonstrate:

• A doctoral qualification in Law or a relevant discipline.
• Principal Fellowship of Advance HE under the UK Professional Standards Framework.
• Professorial status, or eligibility for professorial appointment.
• An active research profile with evidence of external contribution to the discipline and knowledge creation.
• Experience of successful collaboration between higher education, industry, commerce, research organisations and professional bodies.
• Experience of external examining.
• Involvement with external quality assurance agencies.
• Knowledge of the wider UK higher education research and policy environment, including the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.

Why Join Birmingham City University?

This is an opportunity to take a leading role in shaping the future of Law at Birmingham City University and to make a significant contribution to the University's Strategy 2030.

You will join a dynamic academic environment where student success, academic excellence, research, professional engagement, inclusion and innovation are central to our ambitions.

If you are an experienced academic leader with the vision, energy and collaborative approach to lead a Department through its next phase of development, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Further Information

If you are excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of the BCU we would love to hear from you.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Liz Smart at liz.smart@bcu.ac.uk

Interviews for this role are scheduled to take place on week commencing 2 November 2026.

Why not explore our campuses using our interactive map: Interactive Map | Birmingham City University

Why work for us 

• Work–life balance – Generous leave and hybrid working (role dependent). 
• Career development – Opportunities to grow, develop and progress your career. 
• Reward and wellbeing – Competitive pay, pension, wellbeing support and staff benefits. 
• Inclusive culture – A supportive, diverse environment where everyone belongs. 

Closing Date: 18 Oct 2026

Department: Management

Salary: £80,000 per annum
Permanent