SHAPE THE FUTURE OF DENTAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH AT ONE OF THE WORLD’S LEADING UNIVERSITIES.

Part of the prestigious Russell Group of UK universities, the University of Manchester is one of the UK’s largest single-site higher education institutions. We operate at scale with an annual turnover of £1.35 billion, a significant ongoing capital investment programme, 12,800 staff and over 46,000 students from 190 countries. We are a truly global institution, with a long-standing reputation for excellence and innovation, we are dedicated to addressing global challenges and improving lives through outstanding research, education, and social responsibility. Today we are ranked 35th in the QS World University Rankings 2026 (7th in the UK) and 2nd in the world for social and environmental impact (Times Higher Education Impact Ranking).
We are now seeking an exceptional candidate to take on the role of Head of the Division of Dentistry and Deputy Head of the School of Medical Sciences. This is a pivotal leadership role to shape the strategic direction of one of the UK’s top dental schools. You will lead a dynamic and diverse Division, championing a culture of excellence, inclusion, and innovation. Working closely with students, regulators, NHS and community partners, you will drive the development of new programmes and pioneering approaches to dental education, ensuring an outstanding student experience, groundbreaking research, and impactful contributions to dental health and wellbeing. You will also play a key role in advancing the Faculty’s interdisciplinary ambitions and contributing to the University’s Manchester 2035 Strategy.
You will be an inspirational leader with a distinguished track record in dentistry, oral health, or a related field, and substantial senior leadership experience in a complex clinical academic setting. You will bring a clear strategic vision and a strong international reputation in research or pedagogical scholarship, underpinned by a proven ability to secure external funding, forge interdisciplinary partnerships, and deliver institutional priorities. With a history of leading and developing multidisciplinary teams, you excel at uniting colleagues around a shared vision and fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and high-achieving culture. You will bring an excellent understanding of the national and international context in which dental education and research operates and be adept at identifying opportunities for innovation and collaboration, translating your insight into impactful strategies that advance education, research, and the wider mission of the University.
For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact James Griffin on james.griffin2@veredus.co.uk or Veronika Dergal on veronika.dergal@veredus.co.uk.

Please refer the Job description for details