Job summary
The Salomons Institute for Applied Psychology is seeking an experienced academic leader to join the senior leadership team of our highly regarded Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsychol). This is an influential role with the opportunity to lead the academic operation of the programme, develop its curriculum and help shape an excellent and inclusive learning experience for future clinical psychologists.

You will work in partnership with the Programme Director, academic and professional services colleagues, trainees and external contributors to support innovation, academic quality and the effective delivery of a complex doctoral programme. We welcome applications from registered clinical psychologists with relevant academic leadership experience and from experienced academics with a strong record of programme leadership in higher education.

The DClinPsychol has a strong and distinctive values base, aligned with NHS values and the professional standards of the HCPC and BPS. We are committed to developing reflective, compassionate and socially responsive clinical psychologists through training that values inclusion, collaboration and the meaningful involvement of trainees and people with lived experience.

It is expected that the majority of your working time will be spent on campus and most likely to be on a Thursday and Friday when most teaching and trainee engagement takes place.

Main duties of the job
As Principal Lecturer and Deputy Director for the DClinPsychol, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for the academic components of the programme. Working closely with the Programme Director and senior programme team, you will oversee the planning, coordination, delivery, quality assurance and continuing development of the taught curriculum and associated assessment processes.

You will play a central role in ensuring that the programme provides a coherent, inclusive and high-quality academic experience. Your responsibilities will include curriculum planning, coordination of teaching contributions, oversight of assessment and academic standards, academic quality assurance, and leadership of relevant programme staff and working groups. You will also contribute to programme strategy, governance and enhancement, and deputise for the Programme Director in relation to academic matters.

We welcome applications from registered clinical psychologists with relevant academic leadership experience and from experienced academics in psychology, health, education or a closely related discipline who have led complex programmes in higher education. Registration as a clinical psychologist is not essential.

The successful candidate will, however, need to demonstrate a strong understanding of professional education and the ability to work in close partnership with clinically qualified colleagues, trainees, professional services staff and external stakeholders.

About us
The Salomons Institute is located in central Tunbridge Wells, within a ten-minute walk of the railway station, and benefits from excellent administrative, digital and library support. You will join a committed and collegiate team with the ambition and expertise to take the programme forward.

Canterbury Christ Church University truly welcomes fresh perspectives and new voices. We want you to bring the real you to work, so we are committed to building a genuinely inclusive working environment where everyone is welcomed and where everyone can have a true sense of belonging. Our spirit of community will help us to eliminate discrimination and will enable us all to thrive in a culture that is underpinned by fairness and justice. We therefore seek people to join us who will proactively support and shape this aim and contribute in their own unique way. If this is you, then we are waiting to hear from you. #yourCCCU

Our University is deeply committed to shaping sustainable futures as a key part of its mission and values. If you share this passion, we encourage you to join us in making CCCU a more socially and environmentally conscious, sustainable place to study and work.

Closing date: 15 November 2026
Working pattern: Part-time, Flexible working
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £59,390 to £68,818 a year Pro Rata
Location: Lucy Fildes Building, 1 Meadow Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 2YG

Job responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the academic components of the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, ensuring the effective planning, coordination, delivery, quality assurance and continuing development of the programme's curriculum, assessment and associated academic processes.
• Take a lead in the annual planning, coordination and monitoring of academic delivery across all cohorts, including the teaching calendar, allocation of academic responsibilities, coordination of internal and external contributors, and timely resolution of delivery risks.
• Support the design, operation and quality assurance of the programme's assessment and examination processes, ensuring that assessment, marking, moderation, feedback, progression and Board of Examiners arrangements meet University requirements and relevant external standards.
• Support programme monitoring, review and academic enhancement, drawing on trainee and expert-by-experience contributions, academic performance data, external examiner reports and other evidence to identify priorities and oversee the implementation and evaluation of improvement plans.
• Support, manage and develop designated members of the programme team, establishing clear expectations, supporting effective workload planning and promoting high-quality, inclusive and collaborative academic practice.
• Maintain oversight of core programme documentation and contribute to programme approval, periodic review, professional accreditation and other quality-assurance processes, working in partnership with clinically qualified colleagues where professional or regulatory judgement is required.
• Contribute to teaching, assessment, doctoral supervision and relevant scholarly activity in areas consistent with the postholder's expertise and agreed workload, supporting an evidence-informed academic culture across the programme.
• Act as a senior member of the programme leadership team, deputising for the Programme Director in relation to academic matters, contributing to strategic planning and risk management, and representing the programme within the Institute, School, University and relevant external networks.

Essential qualifications

• Doctorate in psychology, health, education or a closely related discipline, or equivalent senior academic and professional standing.
• Senior Fellowship of Advance HE, or equivalent teaching qualification or recognition; or evidence of the capacity and willingness to achieve Senior Fellowship within two years of appointment.

Desirable qualifications

• Qualification and current HCPC professional registration as a clinical psychologist or another relevant applied psychology or healthcare professional.

Essential experience

• Substantial experience of academic leadership in higher education, including leadership or management of a complex programme, curriculum or major area of academic provision.
• Significant experience of managing the planning, coordination and delivery of a complex academic programme, preferably at postgraduate or doctoral level.
• Substantial experience of leading or managing assessment and examination processes, including marking, moderation, feedback, external examining, academic progression and Boards of Examiners.
• Substantial experience of curriculum design, programme monitoring, academic quality assurance and educational enhancement.
• Substantial experience of successful teaching, assessment and curriculum development in higher education, preferably at postgraduate level.
• Experience of doctoral supervision, postgraduate research leadership, or the academic management of advanced professional or research degrees.
• Understanding of, or demonstrable ability to develop a strong understanding of, the professional, regulatory, commissioning and NHS context of clinical psychology training.

Desirable experience

• Experience of teaching, leadership or curriculum development on a clinical psychology, counselling psychology or other professional healthcare training programme.
• Direct experience of working in or with the NHS, clinical psychology training or another regulated healthcare education context.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Canterbury Christ Church University, Lucy Fildes Building, 1 Meadow Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 2YG. Website: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk

For questions about the job, contact:
Dr Simon Clarke, Institute Director, simon.clarke@canterbury.ac.uk, 01227927215

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