Principal Lecturer in Education Studies (Programme Leader)

Liverpool John Moores University, our students thrive because of the people who teach, guide, and inspire them, we truly make a difference. Every year, our commitment to exceptional education attracts talented students from across the UK and the world. This growth is fuelled by inspirational academics, professionals who bring vision, passion, and expertise to their disciplines.

Driven by our continued growth in student numbers and our commitment to delivering outstanding learning, teaching, and research opportunities for our students, we are expanding our academic community. As part of this growth, we are creating a number of key academic positions that will play an integral role in shaping our university’s next chapter.

About the School

Within the School of Education, we are passionate about education and its power to transform lives. Our enthusiastic and inclusive school is built on a foundation of social justice, ensuring that every individual is valued and supported to experience the fullest opportunity to thrive.

With innovative undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, advanced research and professional learning opportunities, and a vibrant academic community, we support students, researchers, and wider stakeholders, in making a meaningful impact. Located in the heart of Liverpool, with cutting-edge facilities and an inspiring outdoor learning zone, we are committed to enriching lives and driving courage and creativity in education.

The Education, Childhood and Communities portfolio within the School of Education brings together a diverse and interconnected suite of undergraduate, postgraduate, and apprenticeship programmes. These programmes are underpinned by a strong commitment to social justice, inclusion, and critical engagement with education across the life course. They draw on interdisciplinary perspectives spanning education, childhood studies, youth and community work, and related fields, and engage with the cognitive, social, cultural, and political dimensions of learning and development. The portfolio supports students to understand education within its wider socio-economic and policy contexts, offering robust theoretical grounding alongside professionally relevant knowledge and skills.

We are seeking an individual to provide ambitious academic and strategic leadership across our Education, Childhood and Communities portfolio, with responsibility for leading, coordinating, developing and enhancing a diverse suite of programmes.

This is a complex role that requires the ability to operate confidently across multiple programmes and levels of provision. You will play a key role in shaping strategic direction, ensuring academic coherence, and driving accountable continuous improvement in learning, teaching, and assessment, in line with the University’s High Quality Teaching and Learning framework, OfS Student and Graduate Outcomes, Teaching Excellence Framework, and the wider quality of students’ experience. Working collaboratively with academic teams, professional services, and senior colleagues, you will support curriculum enhancement and innovation, and contribute to strong recruitment, retention, and progression outcomes.

We are looking for someone with experience of academic or educational leadership, including programme or curriculum leadership, and proven experience and ability to manage, support and work effectively with colleagues. You will demonstrate a clear commitment to improving student experience and outcomes, including the leadership of inclusive practice across curriculum design, assessment, and academic support, and the capacity to contribute positively to the wider strategic priorities of the School, Faculty and University.

Informal enquiries may be made to Dr Graham Downes, Subject Head. Email: G.A.Downes@ljmu.ac.uk.

In return, we offer an excellent benefits package including generous annual leave entitlement, pension scheme, induction and development support as well as family-friendly policies.

This is an exciting time to join the university as we deliver the LJMU Strategy 2030 and its vision of LJMU as an inclusive civic university transforming lives and futures, by placing students at the heart of everything we do.

If you feel that this is the role you have been looking for and your skills and experience can make a real difference at LJMU, we look forward to hearing from you.

We would encourage applications from all individuals who meet the advert criteria, but would particularly encourage applications from women, ethnically diverse groups, LGBTQ+ groups, and disabled people. The University is proud of its commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and endeavours to cultivate a staff base that is representative of society. Please let us know if you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process.

Please note all of our vacancies will be closed to applications at midnight on the advertised closing date, unless otherwise stated.