Aston University is embarking on a significant expansion of its doctoral programmes and partnerships with an ambition to double doctoral student numbers to 1,000+ by 2030. The Aston Doctoral School (ADS) is responsible for such advancement and will be known for its vitality, the rigour of its doctoral programmes and commitment to providing sector-leading, researcher-led training for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers as well as early career academics. The Doctoral School also plays a vital role in the development and maintenance of a positive research culture and environment for enhanced doctoral and postdoctoral researchers’ experience.

The Doctoral School Manager, who will be based in ADS, will provide operational leadership for the University’s doctoral provision (PhD and Professional Doctorates such as DBA) and postdoctoral researchers (ECR) support, ensuring academic quality, student experience, regulatory compliance, and innovation, while developing national and international doctoral partnerships, including joint and dual awards. The Doctoral School Manager will report directly to and be line-managed by the Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and Enterprise (REF, Doctoral School and International Research).

The successful candidate will have experience of operational leadership and process improvement, knowledge of the external policy environment in which the Higher Education sector operates and issues pertinent to doctoral research, together with an ability to work authoritatively and respectfully with stakeholders across the University.

What we offer:

• Aston University is a dynamic and vibrant campus located within Birmingham city centre, which has excellent transport links via bus or train. 
• The role is offered as 'dynamic working', which means working both on campus (expected on campus 3 days per week) and from home dependent on the activity. Further information on dynamic working can be found here.
• Excellent training and development opportunities. 
• A generous annual leave scheme with 30 days bookable leave and a further 13 days bank holiday and University Closure days.
• Everyday discounts to a number of activities and retailers
• Great family friendly policies
• On site gym and pool with discounted staff membership available
• Further information on our Benefits and Rewards can be found here 

Closing Date: 01 May 2026

Unit: Managerial & Professional

Salary: £47,389 to £56,535 per annum

With a proud heritage as a leading business-engaged university, Aston is recognised for its focus on employability, applied learning and impactful research. Organised across three Colleges, and complemented by growing online and professional education provision, Aston’s academic model is outward-facing and aligned to the needs of students, employers and society.

Aston Professional is central to the University’s future growth, playing a key role in employer engagement, revenue diversification and the delivery of industry-led education and training. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the transformation and expansion of a significant portfolio, including executive education, degree apprenticeships, adult learning and new commercial programmes, with the ambition to scale this offer globally through Aston’s international hubs and partnerships.

Reporting to the Chief Commercial Officer, the Director will provide strategic and operational leadership across Aston Professional. You will lead the development of a scalable, market-facing and financially sustainable portfolio, identifying new markets, building employer partnerships and shaping compelling client propositions aligned to evolving business needs.

Working closely with colleagues across the University, you will drive commercial growth through effective pipeline development, pricing strategy and key account management, supported by robust data, CRM systems and performance insight. You will ensure excellence in delivery, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance, including with Ofsted, the Office for Students (OfS), and the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), positioning compliance as a foundation for sustainable growth.

The role includes leadership of multidisciplinary teams across professional training, business development, marketing, learner support and delivery functions. You will foster a high-performing, collaborative culture, aligning academic and commercial priorities to deliver impactful outcomes for learners, employers and partners across the UK and internationally.

We are seeking a senior leader with a strong track record of delivering commercial growth, developing employer-funded provision and building strategic partnerships with industry. You will bring experience of operating within complex, regulated environments, with the judgement to balance commercial ambition with quality and compliance. A deep understanding of professional education, employer demand and the wider higher education landscape will be essential.

This is a significant opportunity to shape the future of professional education at Aston and to play a leading role in delivering a strategy focused on innovation, growth and real-world impact at both a national and global scale.

The closing date for applications is noon on 14^th May 2026

Anderson Quigley is acting as an advisor to the University, and an executive search process is being carried out by Anderson Quigley in addition to the public advertisement.

Further information is available here - Aston University - Director Aston Professional | AQ

• A full CV.
• A cover letter (maximum of two pages) outlining your motivations for the role and how you meet the essential criteria of the person specification.
• Please include details of two referees in either your CV or covering letter, though please note that we will not approach your referees without your prior consent and only should you be shortlisted.

Should you wish to discuss the role in strict confidence, please contact:

Alicja Janowska at alicja.janowska@andersonquigley.com or +44 (0) 7743 927 783 

Kiersten Avery at kiersten.avery@andersonquigley.com or +44 (0)7510 384 735

Closing Date: 14 May 2026

Unit: Managerial & Professional

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious accountant who enjoys combining rigorous analysis with collaborative partnership working. You will take ownership of capital reporting, capital planning, treasury processes, cashflow forecasting and bank covenant monitoring—all while contributing to a culture of continuous improvement across the Finance function.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading high‑quality financial reporting on capital projects, forecasting future spend and supporting project managers with timely, accurate insight.
• Managing key elements of the University’s treasury function, including cash reporting, cashflow forecasting, investment of surplus funds and monitoring compliance with bank covenants.
• Supporting the production of capital plans, budgets and the 5‑year financial strategy.
• Ensuring robust financial processes that drive consistency, clarity and excellent service delivery across the institution.
• Line‑managing a Treasury Assistant and contributing to the wider Corporate Finance agenda.

What we’re looking for

• A fully qualified member of a UK chartered accountancy body, with strong post‑qualification experience in financial or management accounting.
• Proven experience working in complex organisations with competing priorities and tight deadlines.
• Strong analytical capability, exceptional attention to detail and a proactive, solutions‑focused approach.
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills, with the confidence to influence and challenge constructively.
• Advanced systems and Excel skills, with the ability to translate data into meaningful, actionable reporting.

Experience of treasury management, project costing and HE sector reporting would be advantageous but not essential.

What we offer:

• Aston University is a dynamic and vibrant campus located within Birmingham city centre, which has excellent transport links via bus or train.
• Excellent training and development opportunities.
• A generous annual leave scheme with 30 days bookable leave and a further 13 days bank holiday and University Closure days.
• Everyday discounts to a number of activities and retailers.
• Great family friendly policies.
• On site gym and pool with discounted staff membership available
• Further information on our Benefits and Rewards can be found here.

This role may meet the requirements for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.

If you require sponsorship, Aston University will assess eligibility if you are shortlisted for the role. 

Please note we are unable to confirm individual eligibility before shortlisting.

See here for more information on Skilled Worker visa eligibility: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Closing Date: 20 Apr 2026

Unit: Managerial & Professional

Salary: £38,784 to £46,049 per annum

What we’re looking for

• Proven experience of working in Higher Education, preferably in a quality assurance environment.
• Good working knowledge of higher education policy, process, and Office for Students Conditions of Registration.
• Experience of servicing academic governance committees.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a proven track record of establishing effective working relationships across a range of stakeholders.
• Strong organisation and planning skills, with the ability to prioritise own workload against competing deadlines.
• High level of IT proficiency, including spreadsheets and data dashboards.

For further information about this position, please contact Vanessa Vogt (Head of Quality Assurance) at v.vogt1@aston.ac.uk.

What we offer:

• Aston University is a dynamic and vibrant campus located within Birmingham city centre, which has excellent transport links via bus or train.
• Excellent training and development opportunities.
• A generous annual leave scheme with 30 days bookable leave and a further 13 days bank holiday and University Closure days.
• Everyday discounts to a number of activities and retailers.
• Great family friendly policies.
• On site gym and pool with discounted staff membership available
• Further information on our Benefits and Rewards can be found here.

Aston University may be able to sponsor those who are already on a Skilled Worker Visa issued before 22nd July 2025.  If you require sponsorship, Aston University will assess eligibility if you are shortlisted for the role. 

Please note we are unable to confirm individual eligibility before shortlisting.

See here for more information on Skilled Worker visa eligibility: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Closing Date: 23 Apr 2026

Unit: Managerial & Professional

Salary: £31,236 to £36,636 per annum