Head of Department in Criminology and Criminal Justice (UG)

Arden University Ltd; Remote; GBP 59,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

A progressive higher education institution is seeking a Head of Department for Criminology and Criminal Justice. The role involves leading teaching practices, developing engaging course content, and managing academic staff. Candidates should possess a Master's degree in a relevant field and have experience in industry or teaching. This position offers a remote working arrangement and a strong focus on student success. Additional benefits include generous holidays and pension plans.

Benefits

30 days holiday plus bank holidays

Aviva pension plan with company contributions

Private Medical Insurance

Free study of Arden courses for employees and discounts for family

Access to Perkbox benefits

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Criminology, Criminal Justice, or related discipline.
• Recognised HE teaching qualification and/or Fellowship.
• Relevant industry or professional experience in criminal justice.
• Ability to lead and develop academic teams effectively.
• Track record of leading academic programmes successfully.

Responsibilities

• Lead outstanding teaching, feedback, and assessment practices.
• Develop engaging course content and digital learning resources.
• Manage Senior Lecturers and foster a collaborative culture.
• Recruit and develop exceptional academic talent.
• Represent Arden University at academic events.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Motivational skills

Subject expertise in Criminology

Education

Master's degree in Criminology or related discipline

Recognised HE teaching qualification or Fellowship

Job description

Salary: £59,660 - £70,507 per annum

Employment type: Permanent

Hours per week: 37

Reporting into: Head of School - Criminology, Criminal Justice and Law

Department: Criminology and Criminal Justice (UG)

Click here to read the full job description and view our excellent benefits here.

This role operates primarily on a remote working arrangement that will require little to no travel into our Coventry head office or campus locations. Our working model arrangements are a non-contractual benefit so please note that an Arden work location is added to our employment contracts.

About Arden University

We are an aspirational and multi‑award‑winning university, delivering rapid growth with ambitious plans to disrupt the HE sector through our passion for innovation and digital education. Our vision is to become the first‑choice university for career‑focused lifelong learners worldwide, ensuring that everyone, everywhere can access higher education.

There has never been a more exciting time to join Arden University, as we expand into new disciplines, forge worldwide partnerships, and expand our locations.

About our Department

Our Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice (Undergraduate Programmes) isa dynamic academic community with deep expertise across criminology, law enforcement and criminal justice practice. Our team is committed to digital innovation, teaching excellence, and building strong industry and employer links to ensure students graduate with the skills and confidence to succeed in criminal justice careers.

About the Opportunity

We are looking for a student‑centred Head of Department to lead our undergraduate Criminology and Criminal Justice provision. This is an exciting opportunity for an academic leader who is passionate about enhancing student experience, student outcomes, and driving innovation in curriculum design and delivery.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the delivery of outstanding teaching, feedback, and assessment practices that underpin student success.
• Develop engaging, inclusive, and intellectually stretching course content and digital learning resources.
• Drive exceptional outcomes in continuation, completion, progression, and graduate employability.
• Line manage Senior Lecturers and potentially other academic staff, fostering a collaborative and high‑performing culture.
• Recruit, support, and develop exceptional academic talent within the department.
• Contribute to teaching and academic activities aligned to your expertise.
• Represent Arden University at internal and external events, and collaborate with colleagues to enhance our academic portfolio.

About You

We are looking for an experienced academic with strong leadership abilities and a deep understanding of Criminology, Criminal Justice, and the wider Higher Education landscape.

Essential criteria:

• Master's degree in Criminology, Criminal Justice, or a related Social Science discipline.
• Recognised HE teaching qualification and/or Fellowship (PGCert HE, FHEA, SFHEA, PFHEA, QTLS/QTS).
• Relevant industry or professional experience related to criminal justice or criminology.
• Proven ability to lead and develop academic teams to deliver high‑quality teaching, learning, and research.
• Strong leadership, people management, and motivational skills.
• A track record of successfully leading academic programmes with strong student experience, student outcomes, and TEF‑aligned performance.

Desirable:

• A PhD or equivalent Level 8 qualification.
• Management or leadership training/qualification.

Why Arden

At Arden, you will become a part of a passionate and dedicated team who are committed to removing unnecessary barriers to learning and making education more accessible. Our people work hard to ensure our students journeys are the best they can possibly be, as such we want to reward our people with fantastic benefits. Employees benefit from:

• 30 days holiday + bank holidays on‑top, and even a Christmas closure!
• A generous Aviva pension plan, company contributions starting from 7%
• SimplyHealth plan option
• Private Medical Insurance
• Access to Perkbox benefits
• Study any Arden course for free, with a discount for all family and friends
• Plus, other excellent benefits
• Our ‘Golden Ticket’ which allows you to gift anyone in your life a free Arden education

Our Values

Stand out, Progressive, Accessible, Resourceful, Kindness, reflect who we are as an institution, a team and as individuals. If they also reflect you and you are excited by the chance to be the driving, creative force within a growing business, we want to hear from you.

There has never been a more exciting time to join Arden University, as we expand into new disciplines and locations.

Closing Date: Sunday 11th January

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.

If you are a current Arden student or have an upcoming course with us, you are not eligible to apply for Student Experience roles due to a conflict of interest related to system access.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Arden University is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. This means that you may be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role.

By requesting participation, you consent for this information to be shared with the hiring team. For more details on what qualifies as a disability under the Disability Equality Act 2010, please refer to the guidance here.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. Therefore, we make sure that our recruitment and selection processes never discriminate based upon people's age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances, and actively welcome applications from all groups.

Sponsorship statement

Please be aware that some roles may not meet the points requirement for a sponsored Skilled Worker visa under the points-based immigration system. However, we welcome applications from candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK but may be eligible for a visa through an alternative route.