Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost

The University of Bristol is one of the UK’s most successful and internationally recognised universities, ranked 51st in the world and 8th in the UK in the QS World University Rankings 2026. With a community of over 31,000 students and 9,000 staff, the University continues to grow in scale and ambition, underpinned by significant investment across its academic environment and estate.

Our Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus opens its doors in September 2026, a transformative new development in the heart of the city. Bringing together world‑class teaching and research in innovation, digital engineering and emerging technologies, the campus will deepen the University’s role in the region and create new opportunities for collaboration with industry, communities and civic partners. Alongside this, the University is extending its global reach with a new Mumbai Enterprise Campus from August 2026, strengthening its international partnerships and educational offering in one of the world’s most dynamic urban centres.

Against this backdrop, the University is seeking to appoint a Deputy Vice‑Chancellor & Provost (DVC). As the University’s Chief Academic Officer and a key member of the senior leadership team, they will work closely with the President & Vice‑Chancellor, to provide visible academic leadership across the institution. Deputising when required, the DVC ensures that academic vision is realised through clear strategy, inspiring leadership, strong governance and effective planning.

The DVC will shape and deliver Bristol’s academic strategy in line with the University’s ambitions for 2030, ensuring excellence across research, education and the student experience. They will lead and support the Faculty Pro Vice‑Chancellors and thematic PVCs across a newly established three‑faculty structure, bringing coherence to academic priorities and ensuring that resources, performance and planning are aligned with institutional goals.

We are seeking an outstanding academic leader with substantial experience at senior leadership level, typically at least as a Dean or equivalent. Candidates will bring a record of leading major organisational change in a complex environment, strong financial and analytical capability, and an ability to inspire confidence among staff, partners and the Board of Trustees. A commitment to Bristol’s values, and to fostering an inclusive, high‑performing academic community are essential.

The University has engaged Odgers to as our search partner for this post.

We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an
inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential.
We want
to attract, develop, and retain individuals
with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.