Aston University is hiring an Associate Dean of Apprenticeships and Skills to lead its apprenticeship provision from its Birmingham city centre campus. The permanent senior role, advertised on the university's own jobs site, pays between £59,390 and £68,817 a year, and applications close at 23:59 GMT on Monday 23 November 2026.

The post sits within Aston Professional, the part of the university that brings together professional services and employer-facing work. The successful candidate will shape high-quality, employer-responsive apprenticeship provision across the university, from programme development and employer engagement through delivery, assessment and completion.

What the role involves

The Associate Dean will provide strategic leadership across the entire apprenticeship journey, working with the Director of Aston Professional, the university's schools and its professional services teams. A central part of the job is turning changing policy and regulatory expectations into effective systems, clear responsibilities and practical improvements for apprentices and employers alike.

The role also covers institutional development and continuous improvement of apprenticeship processes. That includes working with the Head of Compliance and quality colleagues to strengthen data integrity, funding assurance, Ofsted readiness and evidence-led improvement, and making sure apprentice and employer feedback shapes how programmes are run.

Day to day, the postholder will oversee programme performance, champion effective use of the Aptem apprenticeship management system and related tools, and build productive relationships with employers and sector partners. The role carries leadership responsibilities within Aston Professional's safeguarding arrangements, and the postholder will lead and develop apprenticeship staff while promoting inclusive practice and financially sustainable provision.

Pay, deadline and how to apply

The vacancy is listed as reference 1858-26 on Aston's jobs site, at Grade 10, with a salary range of £59,390 to £68,817. It was released on Friday 6 November 2026, and the closing date is 23:59 hours GMT on Monday 23 November 2026. Applications are made through the university's own vacancy page, where the full job details and person specification are published.

Aston says the role may meet the requirements for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship, and that it will assess eligibility if an applicant who requires sponsorship is shortlisted. The university notes that it is unable to confirm individual eligibility before shortlisting, so applicants who need sponsorship should read the Skilled Worker guidance on GOV.UK alongside the vacancy itself.

Who Aston is looking for

The university wants an experienced and influential senior leader with substantial experience of higher and degree apprenticeships, and a strong record of leading apprenticeship quality, compliance, systems or delivery in a complex organisation. Candidates will need a sophisticated understanding of the apprenticeship policy and regulatory environment, experience of audit or inspection preparation, and the judgement to influence decisions across organisational boundaries.

Aston is also looking for an effective and collaborative leader, confident working with senior colleagues, interpreting complex requirements and turning strategic priorities into measurable improvements. Strong analytical, communication and people-management skills, together with a commitment to inclusion, quality and continuous improvement, are listed as essential.

Benefits and the application process

The university offers 30 days of bookable annual leave plus a further 13 days of bank holiday and university closure days, training and development opportunities, family friendly policies, and an on-site gym and pool with discounted staff membership. The campus sits in Birmingham city centre, with bus and train links close by.

Shortlisting for the role is anonymous, so personal details included on application forms, including names and addresses, are not disclosed to the shortlisting panel, and CVs are not considered. Aston asks applicants who use AI tools to support their application to make sure the finished application still reflects their own experience, achievements and motivations. Flexible working options can be discussed with the recruiting manager.