JOB DESCRIPTION

Employment status and working hours

Permanent, full time.

Full time hours at the University are 35 per week with the standard working pattern Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:00.

Organisation structure

Education and Students, School of the Built Environment. 

Your line manager will be Nicola Allen, Head of School.

Place of work flexibility

You will normally spend your total working time at home*, which must be within the UK. You may, on occasions, be expected to attend the Horizons, Reading office as well as our London School of Architecture Campus in Dalston, to attend meetings or training events. This will total a minimum of six visits per year, and dates will be notified to you in advance. *Working from home is only possible if your environment is suitable.

High level summary of job role

The Programme Leader for Architectural Technology provides academic, professional, and strategic leadership for CIAT- and CIOB-aligned Architectural Technology programmes at the University of the Built Environment. You will ensure that the curriculum is practice-informed, professionally accredited, digitally focused, and responsive to industry needs, supporting students who are typically in employment across the built environment sector.

You will lead programme design, delivery, quality assurance, and enhancement in line with CIAT and CIOB accreditation requirements, while contributing to the University’s mission of work-based, flexible, and lifelong learning.

Specific job role accountabilities and responsibilities

Programme leadership and development

• Provide academic leadership for undergraduate and postgraduate Architectural Technology programmes aligned to CIAT and CIOB professional standards.

• Lead programme design, review, and revalidation processes in accordance with University regulations and professional body requirements.

• Ensure curricula reflect current and emerging practice in architectural technology, construction, sustainability, and digital delivery.

• Maintain clear mapping between learning outcomes, professional competencies, and apprenticeship or work-based learning routes where applicable.

Professional accreditation and quality assurance

• Act as Programme Leader for CIAT and CIOB accreditation processes, including preparation for accreditation visits and ongoing compliance.

• Ensure programmes meet the educational requirements for CIAT and CIOB membership progression.

• Monitor academic standards, student outcomes, and quality metrics, driving continuous enhancement.

Teaching, learning, and assessment

• Deliver high-quality teaching across Architectural Technology modules, using online, and work-based learning approaches that passively simulate working in remote architectural and contracting practices.

• Design inclusive and authentic assessments aligned to professional practice and competency development.

• Supervise student projects, portfolios, and applied research informed by workplace practice.

• Provide academic and pastoral support to a diverse student body, many of whom are part-time or in employment.

Staff leadership and collaboration

• Lead and coordinate module leaders, associate lecturers, and technical support tutors contributing to the programme.

• Support staff development in teaching, assessment, digital delivery, and professional practice.

• Promote consistency and excellence in curriculum delivery across modes and cohorts.

Industry, employer, and professional engagement

• Maintain strong relationships with employers, industry partners, CIAT, CIOB, and other relevant professional bodies.

• Support employer engagement, advisory panels, and curriculum co-design.

• Promote employability, professional identity, and lifelong learning pathways for students.

Scholarship, practice, and knowledge exchange

• Engage in scholarship, applied research, or professional practice relevant to architectural technology and the built environment.

• Contribute to knowledge exchange, CPD, professional short courses, and employer-focused initiatives.

• Maintain professional currency in areas such as AI, BIM, digital construction, technical design, sustainability, and regulatory frameworks.

Administration and representation

• Undertake programme-level administration, reporting, and committee representation.

• Contribute to recruitment, marketing, open events, and outreach, aligned with the University’s professional focus.

• Support widening participation and flexible learning opportunities within the built environment sector.

Other important features of the job role

Line management responsibilities: Yes, and the number of direct reports is anticipated to be three.

Budget responsibility: None.

In this role, you will liaise with the following: Students, the Dean, Deputy Dean, Head of School, Programme Leaders, Lecturers, Associate Lecturers, and University Professional Services.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

E = Essential person requirement; D = Desirable person requirement

How the person requirement will be assessed:

A = Application; I = Interview; T = Test or other assessment

Please be aware that as part of onboarding processes, we will seek original documentary evidence of the relevant academic and/or professional qualifications which you include within your job application. This is all part of our comprehensive pre-employment screening which also includes checking your identity, right to work, criminal record history (basic disclosure), and three years employment history.

Qualifications and training

Degree in Architectural Technology or a closely related discipline (E, A, I).

Postgraduate qualification (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant field (E, A, I).  

Teaching qualification or willingness to obtain one within 18 months of appointment (e.g. PGCert in Higher Education) (E, A, I).  

Chartered or Fellow Membership (or equivalent) of a relevant professional body (e.g. CIAT) (E, A, I).  

Demonstrable engagement with current industry practice and standards (E, A, I).

Doctorate or professional doctorate in a relevant discipline (D, A).

Previous experience

Teaching Architectural Technology or related subjects in higher education or further education (E, A, I).  

Programme or module leadership, coordination, or curriculum development (E, A, I).  

Assessment design, marking, and quality assurance processes (E, A, I).  

Designing and delivering online or distance learning programmes (E, A, I).  

Leading or supporting CIAT and/or CIOB accreditation events (D, A, I).

Experience contributing to CPD, short courses, or professional education provision (D, A, I).

Evidence of pedagogic innovation aligned to professional competencies (D, A, I).  

Skills, knowledge, and aptitudes

Strong knowledge of architectural technology, building design, construction technology (E, A, I).  

Knowledge of, and skills in the use of digital tools for design, simulation, visualisation and information management (E, A, I).  

Understanding of professional accreditation and quality assurance frameworks (E, A, I).  

Excellent communication, leadership, and organisational skills (E, A, I).  

Ability to work collaboratively with academic, professional, and external stakeholders (E, A, I).  

Digital skills confidence: We use MS Office which includes Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and several other systems/technology (E, A, I).  

Knowledge of work-based learning, apprenticeships, or employer-engaged education (D, A, I).

Understanding of applied research, consultancy, or knowledge exchange within the built environment (D, A, I).

Other requirements or special requirements

Alignment to the University’s core values of Passion, Integrity, Excellence and Support; all employees are expected to demonstrate our values at work (E, I).

Commitment to delivering positive outcomes for our students; we want our students to be successful (E, I).

You must be prepared to undertake mandatory online training should you be appointed including Data Protection, Health and Safety, Safeguarding, Prevent, and EDI (E, I).

PAY AND BENEFITS

Salary: Salary range £48,000 to £58,000 per annum.

Holiday: 26 days paid holiday (rising to 28 with service) plus paid bank/public holidays plus up to five paid closure days (typically between Christmas and New Year); all per holiday year Full Time Equivalent. Our holiday year runs from 1 August to 31 July. We also have a holiday buy and sell scheme in place. Sometimes the University does not need to close for five days per year and any balance (for example one day), can be used as a paid Wellbeing Day to take time out for your own physical or mental health.

Pension and life assurance: Pensions auto-enrolment to the Universities Superannuation Scheme which is a default salary sacrifice scheme. You may opt out of salary sacrifice but remain in the scheme, or you may choose to opt out altogether.

Family-friendly policies: Policies in place for all types of family-friendly statutory leave with enhanced pay available from day one of employment for some leave types. Access to Tax-Free Childcare (Government scheme).

Wellbeing: Full access to the Employee Assistance Programme as well as the Thrive Mental Wellbeing app. Several employees are trained Mental Health First Aiders and can support staff. We have a wellbeing policy and we focus on five pillars of wellbeing.

Sustainable travel: Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle salary sacrifice schemes.

Parking: We have locked sheds for bicycles. For cars, for Horizons based roles, we may in the future be able to offer parking on site however you must not assume this will be possible. Every now and then we may have a spare parking space become available and you can ask to join the waiting list. The University is keen wherever possible, to encourage staff to commute as sustainably as possible.

Other health related benefits: Employer-funded Health Cash Plan (Simplyhealth) and voluntary dental insurance (Unum).

Other valuable benefits:

• Charity giving options available including one voluntary paid day, per annum.

• You will have access to Microsoft Office 365 applications for personal use.

• You will have access to range of lifestyle discounts and everyday savings.

• We offer learning platforms including LinkedIn learning.

On the Join the team page of our website, you will find the full list of employee benefits.

APPLICATIONS - THINGS TO CONSIDER

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Marc Fleming on 0118 467 2479 or email m.fleming@ube.ac.uk. For any other enquiries please contact HR on 0118 467 2454 / 2433 or email recruitment@ube.ac.uk

Did one of our employees recommend you? If you apply on the recommendation of an existing employee, please make sure to mention their name within your application.

We're passionate about sustainability and we have a five-year strategic plan: We expect job seekers to be curious about who we are and what we do. We point you towards a couple of resources about who we are and sustainability.

Closing date and next steps

We will receive applications until the advert closes on Thursday 19 February 2026 at 17:00. We will not consider late applications. Our ATS does not screen applications, we humans do. Applications may be reviewed prior to the closing date and occasionally, you may be invited to interview ahead of the closing date.

Interview details

Initial first stage interviews are scheduled for week commencing 02 March 2026, with second stage interviews scheduled for week commencing 16 March 2026. We'll ask you to tell us about any dates you cannot make, up to 4 weeks from the closing date; this helps us to plan interviews should you be shortlisted, prior to contacting you.

First stage interview:

This is anticipated to take place in two parts:

Part 1 - a presentation from yourself to various members of the Academic team, followed by a discussion

Part 2 - a Q&A session with the hiring manager and two other members of the team

Second stage interview:

A presentation from yourself to the hiring manager and Deputy Dean, followed by a Q&A session.

Interviews are normally carried out over Microsoft Teams or Zoom. Depending on the job role and place of work, your interview may be at our Reading or London office.

Note for internal candidates

If you are an existing employee, we request you inform your current line manager of your intention to apply for this role.