About Us
We have been proudly driving progress for more than two centuries. As one of the UK’s largest and most popular universities, we’re a force for good, dedicated to delivered outstanding research and excellent education. Much more than a university, we are a place where ambitious people unite as a diverse and inclusive community to make meaningful connections. Where world-class facilities combine with exceptional minds to improve lives through innovation. We welcome those who are committed, talented, and hardworking. People who believe in our values and are as driven as we are to achieve shared goals.
Our community of over 5,100 colleagues work in close partnership every day to bring about positive change regionally, nationally, and globally.
Build a role with purpose, in an environment designed to unlock your potential. Be part of Manchester Met. Be Manchester Met proud. Let’s transform lives together.
The Opportunity
The School of English is home to a diverse, inclusive, and innovative academic community spanning English language, creative writing, poetry, linguistics, journalism, digital media communications, modern languages, and performance. We are proud of our research strengths, teaching excellence, and the real-world impact of our work, both locally and globally.
We are now seeking an exceptional individual to lead this vibrant and outward-facing School into its next exciting chapter. As Head of School, you will play a central role in shaping strategic direction, driving excellence in research and education, and championing a culture of creativity, collaboration and inclusion.
This is an outstanding opportunity for a motivated and visionary leader with a track record of academic leadership. We expect you to ideally be a current Professor, with a personal commitment to research and pedagogic innovation. You will also bring with you a clear and ambitious vision for English and related disciplines in the 21st century, and an ability to inspire colleagues and students alike. You’ll be an active contributor to the Faculty Executive Group, helping shape the wider Faculty’s priorities and partnerships, while working closely with university leadership.
We welcome applicants with a strong interdisciplinary mindset and a desire to break new ground, whether in reshaping curriculum, building community connections, expanding international collaborations, or developing our research profile in REF and beyond. You’ll lead a talented academic team, support career development, foster innovation, and ensure an exceptional student experience.
How to Apply
For further details, including the job description and person specification, please visit https://plusportal.perrettlaver.com/ quoting the reference number 8029.
For an informal and confidential discussion about this position, please contact Ilona Motyer at Perrett Laver via Ilona.motyer@perrettlaver.com.
Applications must include a full CV and a letter of application setting out your interest in the role and details of how your knowledge, skills and experience match the essential criteria being sought.
The closing date for applications is 11:59pm: (BST) on 28th September 2025.
Final interviews will be held on Thursday 27th November 2025.
If you require any reasonable adjustments to assist you in the selection process, please advise us of these so that we can make appropriate arrangements.
Should you require access to these documents in alternative formats, please contact Bharti Aggarwal on Bharti.Aggarwal@perrettlaver.com.
If you have comments that would support us to improve access to documentation, or our application processes more generally, please do not hesitate to contact us via accessibility@perrettlaver.com.
Manchester Met University is committed to creating an intentionally inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We understand the importance of having a diverse workforce and the benefits it can bring to ensuring diversity of thought and innovation in everything we do. We, therefore, encourage applications from people from ethnic minority groups, disabled people and people who identify as LGBTQIA+.
Privacy policy
Protecting your personal data is of the utmost importance to Perrett Laver and we take this responsibility very seriously. Any information obtained by our trading divisions is held and processed in accordance with the relevant data protection legislation. The data you provide us with is securely stored on our computerised database and transferred to our clients for the purposes of presenting you as a candidate and/or considering your suitability for a role you have registered interest in.
Perrett Laver is a Data Controller and a Data Processor, and our legal basis for processing your personal data is ‘Legitimate Interests’. You have the right to object to us processing your data in this way. For more information about this, your rights, and our approach to Data Protection and Privacy, please visit https://perrettlaver.com/privacy-statement/.
