Head of Department - Applied Sport and Psychology
Head of Department - Applied Sport and Psychology
£54,431 - £63,071 per annum
A minimum of 37 hours per week
Permanent
About the Role:
Hartpury’s 2030 strategic focus is on continuing to build a reputation for excellence across our academic provision and associated RKE activities. The University have recently created two schools, each housing separate departments. Whilst priorities vary, there is full alignment with the 2030 strategy across all areas. The Department of Applied Sport and Psychology is home to our well-established sports coaching, sports education, sport performance curriculum and in September 2026 we will be launching a brand-new provision in psychology, with a BSc (Hons) Psychology and BSc (Hons) Psychology with Sport and Exercise perspectives.
We are looking for a highly motivated individual who ideally has experience of academic leadership and management to lead the Department of Applied Sport and Psychology. You will have the opportunity to significantly influence the success and future growth of the department, working collaboratively with the Head of School and other Heads of Departments across the school. You will be responsible for a cluster of staff, programmes and modules within the department to ensure they meet the expected quality, standards and experience requirements.
Alongside this, the individual will:
- Demonstrate specialist knowledge and experience within a subject area aligned to the Department of Applied Sport and Psychology.
- Be effective in liaising with internal and external stakeholders and align activity with industry developments and expectations.
- Ensure the department activity will support the achievement of school and institutional objectives, ensuring an outstanding experience for the 300-400 students within the department.
- Operationally have full oversight of department activity, ensuring, for example, effective timetabling of curriculum, resourcing, compliance with quality assurance processes and line management of staff.
About You:
- Have a strong awareness of relevant industry and sector expectations to ensure the educational character and offer of the department aligns to regional and national skills needs.
- Experience of effective people management.
- Have experience of leading operational activities and be able to evidence effective project management.
- Able to evidence supporting others to adhere to relevant quality assurance standards, policies and procedures and display effective communication skills to maintain positive and effective working relations across institution.
- Experience of leading the development, review and continuous improvement of academic programmes.
- Holds a postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline and will be a Senior Fellow of the HEA (or equivalent) or demonstrate a willingness and ability to complete this within one year.
- Able to demonstrate continued scholarship engagement and an external profile.
We offer a fantastic package of staff benefits including:
- Hybrid working arrangements with blended approach of office and home working
- 35 days annual leave entitlement
- Wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme
- Generous pension scheme (TPS)
- Employee Discounts Scheme
- Onsite fitness facilities
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Support for continuous professional development
- Flexible working opportunities available
- Enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity leave
About Us
Hartpury University and Hartpury College are among the UK’s leading specialist education providers in agriculture, animal, equine, sport and veterinary nursing. Located in Gloucestershire, Hartpury University and Hartpury College sit side-by-side on a beautiful 360-hectare campus. We provide world-class facilities to more than 4,500 university and college-level students studying undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, A-levels and diplomas, as well as undertaking industry research. The University is rated top 10 in the UK for Teaching Quality (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025) and has 97% graduate employability, whilst the College is rated Ofsted Outstanding in all areas. A passionate and innovative business culture and exceptional support networks make Hartpury an ideal career choice.
Hartpury is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community – a place where we can all be ourselves. We particularly welcome applicants that we are underrepresented in, including those from ethnically diverse backgrounds, LGBTQI+ communities, and those living with disabilities. As part of our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion we offer a range of inclusive policies, flexible working arrangements and a multi-faith space to support staff from different backgrounds. To find out more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity, please click here.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.
Click the button below to apply online or telephone (01452) 702135 to request documents by post.
Click here to view the whole Job Description and Person Specification
The closing date for receipt of applications is Sunday, 14th September 2025
Interviews will be held on Tuesday, 23rd September 2025
We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the specified closing date should we receive sufficient applications or in order to respond to business needs. In order to avoid missing an opportunity to apply please submit your application as early as possible.
Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK.
