Head of Practice Learning (1950)
Head of Practice Learning
Head of Practice Learning
Full Time (37hrs per week) – Permanent – High Wycombe
Salary - £58,225 - £67,468 per annum
Please note this is a professional service role.
Buckinghamshire New University is an ambitious, modern university that is always open to fresh ideas and thinking. We believe in the transformative power of education, and in doing the right thing by our students, people and local community. That’s why our BNU community is a special place to work and study, and where people who want to make a difference can contribute and succeed.
Our University’s DRIVE values and are at the heart of all that we do. We are united in being dynamic, responsible, inclusive, visionary and empowering to ensure that we provide the best experience to our learners and offer excellent service to our partners and to each other as colleagues. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and they are central to our mission.
We are seeking a strategic and dynamic individual to lead the Practice Learning operation within the College of Health and Society. As Head of Practice Learning and a member of the College Senior Leadership Team, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring strategic leadership and operational oversight for all practice learning activities across the College of Health and Society. You will be responsible for ensuring high-quality, compliant, and innovative practice learning experiences for students, building strong partnerships with external stakeholders, and aligning practice learning provision with institutional priorities and PSRB requirements.
What we offer:
- a generous holiday entitlement (30 days per annum, plus bank holidays & closure days)
- Hybrid working (dependent on business needs)
- training & development support opportunities
- contributory pension scheme
- discounted gym membership for our on-site gym
- a range of staff discounts with major retailers.
Please click here to see our wide range of benefits available for employees.
Please click here for our behavioural based interview question bank.
Please click here to view our employee handbook.
If you have the qualities and attributes representative of the University’s values and ambition, we would be delighted to hear from you.
For further information about this role please contact Will Broughton (Associate Dean External Engagement) at will.broughton@bnu.ac.uk
All applications are to be made in full and online.
BNU is proud to have a diverse community and a strong track record of diversity, equity and inclusion. We are committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace and aim to continue building an environment where everyone thrives and can be themselves. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in BNU’s workforce. These include people from global majority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ people, particularly in more senior roles.
Please let us know if you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process. We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that would enable you to perform to the best of your abilities in your role. Please reach out to Will Broughton if you have any specific needs or if you would like more information on how we can support you.
We ensure that our interview/shortlisting Chairs complete the relevant e-learning and/or inclusive recruitment training.
Closing Date: 26 January 2026
Interview Date: 3 February 2026
If you are successful in securing an interview for the role, you will be required to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK.
BNU is a Disability Confident employer and as such you will be given the opportunity to declare a disability as part of the application process.
Job Description
Job Description
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Job Title: Head of Practice Learning |
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College/Directorate: Health and Society |
Grade: I |
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Location: High Wycombe, some travel to Practice Partners (occasional travel to other campuses) |
Hours: Full time |
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Responsible to: Associate Dean for External Engagement |
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Responsible for: TBC |
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Job Purpose: The Head of Practice Learning provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all practice learning activities across the College of Health and Society. The post holder is responsible for ensuring high-quality, compliant, and innovative practice learning experiences for students, building strong partnerships with external stakeholders, and aligning practice learning provision with institutional priorities and PSRB requirements. |
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Main Duties & Responsibilities of the role:
1) Strategic Leadership
- Develop and implement the College’s practice learning strategy, ensuring alignment with university objectives and sector best practice.
- Lead strategic projects to enhance practice learning capacity, quality, and digital transformation.
- Provide expert advice to senior leadership on practice learning policy, compliance, and risk management.
2) Governance & Compliance
- Ensure all practice learning processes meet Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) requirements and university regulations.
- Maintain oversight of risk registers, audits, and quality assurance processes; lead responses to external inspections.
- Prepare reports for senior committees and external bodies, ensuring transparency and accountability.
3) External Engagement & Partnerships
- Build and sustain strategic relationships with placement providers, professional bodies, and regional/national networks.
- Negotiate agreements and capacity arrangements with external partners to secure placement opportunities.
- Represent the College at external forums, influencing policy and sector developments.
4) Operational Oversight
- Provide leadership and direction to the Deputy Head/Senior Manager and practice learning team.
- Monitor performance against KPIs, ensuring timely allocation of placements and compliance with standards.
- Oversee systems and processes for placement allocation, ePortfolio, and data governance.
5) Student Experience
- Champion initiatives that enhance the student experience in practice-based education, ensuring inclusivity and wellbeing.
- Oversee resolution of escalated student concerns and complaints, ensuring fair and timely outcomes.
- Use student feedback and performance data to inform continuous improvement.
6) People Leadership
- Lead workforce planning and resource allocation for the practice learning function.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional development within the team.
- Ensure effective communication and engagement across academic and professional services teams.
- Line management responsibilities including recruitment and selection, performance management, professional development, motivation, health & safety, and wellbeing.
- Supervisory duties including motivating and supporting team members, giving direction and feedback, and ensuring adequate staffing cover.
7) Other
- Comply with relevant legislative and other requirements (e.g., the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR; Health and Safety; UKVI; and Equality and Diversity) in all working practices.
- Such other duties temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required.
PERSON SPECIFICATION – Essential Criteria Only
A = Application T = Test I = Interview
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Education, Qualifications & Training |
Means of Testing |
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Degree or equivalent professional qualification in a relevant discipline |
A |
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Postgraduate qualification or professional equivalent |
A |
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Evidence of continuing professional development. |
A |
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Knowledge & Experience |
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Extensive experience in managing practice learning or placement coordination within higher education or an equivalent setting |
A/I |
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Proven track record of strategic planning, policy development, and compliance assurance. |
A/I |
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Significant experience in leading and managing teams, managing complex operations and managing staff performance. |
A/I |
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Expert understanding of PSRB requirements and quality assurance frameworks. |
A/I |
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Significant experience of external engagement and partnership development at a senior level. |
A/I |
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Skills |
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High-level strategic leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to shape strategy and drive change. |
A/I |
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Excellent organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage complex priorities. |
A/I |
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Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to engage effectively with senior stakeholders internally and externally, at all levels. |
A/I |
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Competence in data analysis and reporting for strategic decision-making. |
A/I |
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Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to work to tight deadlines, under pressure and manage multiple competing priorities, while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail. |
A/I |
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Excellent project management skills; able to manage complex processes and competing priorities. |
A/I |
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Personal resilience with experience handling difficult conversations, complaints, and escalations. |
A/I |
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Highly motivated and proactive, with a commitment to continuous improvement to deliver an efficient and effective service. |
A/I |
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Digitally able and proficient in Microsoft tools (Excel, Teams, SharePoint, Power BI or equivalent is desirable. |
A/I |
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Commitment to equity and social justice; inclusive, student-centred approach. |
A/I |
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Special Requirements |
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Ability to travel to placement sites and external meetings as required. |
I |
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Handles sensitive information with discretion; adheres to data protection and confidentiality standards. |
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Behavioural INDICATORS
The BNU Behaviours Framework (BBF) is a framework for all University staff that sets out the key behaviours that exemplify the DRIVE values and ethos of the University. The nine categories provide a clear steer on behavioural expectations that will help support a step change in the performance and culture of the University.
The three key behavioural indicators for this post are as follows:
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Delivering excellent service Providing the best quality service to external and internal customers/students/stakeholders. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up customer service standards. |
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Achieving results Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done. |
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Using resources effectively Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets. |
