The Centre for Contemporary Hospitality and Tourism at the University of Derby is a vibrant, internationally recognised hub for education, research and innovation in the visitor economy. Bringing together the disciplines of hospitality, tourism and event management, the Centre provides a collaborative and forward-thinking environment where students and staff work together to address the evolving needs of global industries.
The discipline is ranked internationally in the Top 50 QS Subject Rankings and consistently ranked among the Top 20 in the UK for:
- Hospitality, Event Management and Tourism (Guardian University Guide 2025)
- Teaching quality (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)
- Student satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2026)
Through strong industry connections, a global outlook and a commitment to innovation, the Centre continues to shape future professionals who can make meaningful contributions to businesses, communities and destinations worldwide.
About the Role
We are seeking an inspiring and innovative academic leader to play a key role in shaping the future of our programmes. This position offers an exciting opportunity to lead curriculum development, drive educational innovation, and enhance the student experience through impactful teaching, leadership, and industry engagement.
Working collaboratively with international academic partners and industry stakeholders, you will contribute to the design and delivery of a forward-thinking curriculum that reflects global perspectives and evolving professional practice. You will provide programme and module leadership, ensuring academic excellence, high-quality student outcomes, and an engaging learning experience.
The successful candidate will be passionate about supporting students throughout their academic journey, acting as a Personal Academic Tutor, supervising undergraduate and postgraduate research projects, and overseeing industry consultancy and client-based initiatives that connect learning with real-world practice.
You will also play an important role in student recruitment and external engagement, helping to strengthen relationships with academic and industry partners while contributing to programme growth and reputation. Through collaboration, innovation and a commitment to continuous improvement, you will help develop a distinctive curriculum that enhances graduate employability, supports student success, and reinforces the institution's position as a globally connected and industry-focused provider of higher education.
Anticipated interview date: Wednesday 4th November 2026
About You
You will be a creative and student-focused academic with a strong background in the relevant subject discipline, evidenced by a good honours degree and specialist subject knowledge. You will either hold Fellowship of Advance HE (HEA) or be willing to work towards this recognition. You will possess a PhD in a relevant subject area, be awaiting examination following submission, or demonstrate equivalent academic or professional achievement, with a commitment to achieving this qualification within an agreed timeframe if not already held.
You will bring valuable hospitality industry experience alongside experience of module leadership within a higher education setting. You will be able to build and maintain effective collaborative relationships with both academic colleagues and industry partners, contributing to an engaging, industry-informed learning environment and supporting the continued development of teaching, research, and external partnerships.
You will demonstrate leadership, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to enhancing student success and graduate employability.
Key Contact
For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Isobel Stockdale, Subject Lead Tourism and Hospitality via i.stockdale@derby.ac.uk
For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk
For more information and to apply on-line, please click the “Apply” button above.
£39,560 to £46,970 per annum