Shape the Future of Careers-First Education

At the University of East London (UEL), we are redefining what higher education can achieve. Guided by our ambitious Vision 2028 strategy, we are building the UK’s leading careers-first university, embedding employability, enterprise and industry collaboration into every aspect of the student experience.

The Royal Docks School of Business & Law (RDSBL) is at the heart of this transformation. Based in one of London’s most dynamic and fast-growing regions, we are a vibrant and diverse academic community committed to delivering innovative, inclusive and industry-connected education that prepares graduates for the careers and opportunities of the future.

We are now seeking an exceptional and commercially minded leader to join our School Senior Leadership Team as Associate Dean of Careers and Enterprise.

About the Role

This is a strategic leadership role focused on embedding employability, enterprise and employer engagement at the heart of the student experience within the Royal Docks School of Business & Law.

As Associate Dean of Careers and Enterprise, you will lead the School’s Careers First agenda, driving improvements in graduate outcomes through strong industry partnerships, experiential learning opportunities, enterprise activity and innovative professional provision. You will work closely with academic and professional service teams to strengthen employer engagement, expand external partnerships and develop commercially focused initiatives including CPD, executive education and employer-funded programmes.

As a member of the School Senior Leadership Team, you will play a key role in shaping strategy, driving performance and ensuring students graduate with the skills, experience and networks needed to succeed in a rapidly changing global economy.

About You

You will be a strategic, influential and delivery-focused leader with a strong track record of building partnerships that create measurable impact.

You will bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience within higher education, industry engagement or a related environment
• Proven success improving graduate outcomes and employability through data-led approaches
• Strong commercial acumen and experience generating external income through professional or employer-focused provision
• Experience developing employer-led experiential learning opportunities including placements, mentoring, live briefs and recruitment pathways
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at senior level across academic, commercial and public-sector environments
• Deep commitment to widening participation, inclusion and student success

What You’ll Need to Thrive

You’ll thrive in this role if you are a highly collaborative and entrepreneurial leader who combines strategic vision with delivery focus. You will be confident building partnerships, influencing senior stakeholders, driving innovation and translating ambitious ideas into measurable outcomes for students, graduates and industry partners alike.

Why Join UEL?

This is an opportunity to shape the future of careers-first education at one of the UK’s most ambitious modern universities.

At UEL, you will join a forward-thinking institution committed to innovation, inclusion and real-world impact where your leadership will directly influence student success, employer engagement and institutional growth.

Benefits Package

At UEL, we believe that a great role is about more than just a salary. It’s about the complete package, including our outstanding work environment and inclusive culture.

We offer a genuinely competitive salary, dependent on experience (DOE), and a range of excellent benefits.

You can explore our full benefits package here: https://uel.ac.uk/benefits-all-academic-management-positions

Building an Inclusive Future

As an inclusive, equal-opportunities employer, our Stonewall membership and Athena Swan awards reflect our ongoing dedication to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and we’re committed to closing the "diversity pay gap". We’re proud of the progress we’ve made and honest that there’s more to do. We’re determined to keep moving forward so everyone at UEL can thrive. 

We're a disability confident employer and value all applications. Please let us know if you require any reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process.

So, if you’d like to take your career to the next level with us here at the University of East London and are inspired by our environment and commit to success, we want you to apply today! 

Please note that this advert may close earlier than the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible. 

Closing Date: 28 May 2026

Team: Management Academic

Salary: £73,705 to £92,190 per annum inclusive of London Weighting

Shape Research, Innovation and Real-World Impact

At the University of East London (UEL), we are redefining the role of universities in society. Guided by our ambitious Vision 2028 strategy, we are driving transformational change through careers-first education, inclusive innovation, impactful research and meaningful civic engagement.

The Royal Docks School of Business & Law (RDSBL) is a vibrant and forward-thinking academic community based in one of London’s most dynamic and diverse regions. We are committed to delivering high-quality research, enterprise and research-led teaching that creates real impact locally, nationally and globally.

We are now seeking an exceptional strategic leader to join our School Senior Leadership Team as Associate Dean of Impact and Innovation.

About the Role

This is a senior leadership role focused on driving the School’s research, impact and innovation agenda in line with the University’s “Future Life” strategic objectives.

As Associate Dean of Impact and Innovation, you will lead the development of an ambitious and externally engaged research and knowledge exchange culture that strengthens REF and KEF performance, increases research income, expands civic and industry partnerships, and enhances the visibility and impact of the School’s research and enterprise activities.

You will play a pivotal role in shaping funding strategy, developing external collaborations, supporting REF 2029 preparations, and embedding innovation and impact across research, education and engagement activities.

As a member of the School Senior Leadership Team, you will contribute strategically to institutional growth, research excellence and sustainable social, cultural and economic impact.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the School’s research, impact and innovation strategy in support of REF, KEF and Vision 2028 priorities.
• Drive growth in research performance, external funding, knowledge exchange and civic engagement activity.
• Build and strengthen partnerships with funders, industry, public sector organisations and community stakeholders.
• Champion an inclusive, high-performing research culture that supports collaboration, innovation and measurable impact.
• Contribute strategically as a member of the School Senior Leadership Team, supporting portfolio development and institutional growth.

About You

You will be an inspiring and strategically minded academic leader with a strong track record of delivering research, impact and innovation outcomes within higher education or a comparable environment.

You will bring:

• Significant leadership experience in research, impact and innovation strategy
• A proven record of securing external funding and developing successful partnerships
• Experience improving REF performance, research culture and knowledge exchange activity
• Strong understanding of UK higher education policy, research funding and impact agendas
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to influence across academic, civic and industry environments
• Deep commitment to inclusion, widening participation and civic engagement

What You’ll Need to Thrive

You’ll thrive in this role if you are collaborative, ambitious and highly outcomes-focused, with the ability to inspire others and turn strategic vision into measurable impact. You will be comfortable operating across academic, commercial and civic environments, building partnerships that create meaningful change for students, communities and society.

Why Join UEL?

This is an opportunity to play a defining role in shaping the future of research, innovation and civic impact at one of the UK’s most ambitious modern universities.

At UEL, you will join a forward-thinking institution committed to excellence, inclusion and transformational change — where your leadership can help shape research that matters.

Benefits Package

At UEL, we believe that a great role is about more than just a salary. It’s about the complete package, including our outstanding work environment and inclusive culture.

We offer a genuinely competitive salary, dependent on experience (DOE), and a range of excellent benefits.

You can explore our full benefits package here: https://uel.ac.uk/benefits-all-academic-management-positions

Building an Inclusive Future

As an inclusive, equal-opportunities employer, our Stonewall membership and Athena Swan awards reflect our ongoing dedication to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and we’re committed to closing the "diversity pay gap". We’re proud of the progress we’ve made and honest that there’s more to do. We’re determined to keep moving forward so everyone at UEL can thrive. 

We're a disability confident employer and value all applications. Please let us know if you require any reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process.

So, if you’d like to take your career to the next level with us here at the University of East London and are inspired by our environment and commit to success, we want you to apply today! 

Please note that this advert may close earlier than the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible. 

Closing Date: 28 May 2026

Team: Management Academic

Salary: £73,705 to £92,190 per annum inclusive of London Weighting