Principal Lecturer – Nursing

Job Summary

At Robert Gordon University (RGU) we are proud of our excellence in education and research, and we are offering an opportunity to join our team in a new role as Principal Lecturer for Nursing. RGU is an innovative, inclusive, and ambitious University, focused on the impact of its demand-led teaching and research.

RGU delivers a high-quality vocational education and relevant curriculum which provides learners with the skills they require to thrive throughout their careers. As a result, the university has a reputation for producing graduates that are highly sought after by employers. The School of Health is a vibrant academic community and provider of nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, diagnostic radiography and paramedicine in the North of Scotland. Our vision is to transform health and social care in urban, remote and rural areas and our School Strategy sets out how we will achieve that.

We are seeking an inspiring and forward-thinking Principal Lecturer to lead and enhance our undergraduate and postgraduate nursing programmes. This pivotal role blends operational leadership with strategic vision, curriculum innovation, and quality enhancement to support the School’s mission of transforming health and social care through education.

As Principal Lecturer, you will provide academic leadership across nursing programmes, ensuring they are contemporary, evidence-based, and aligned with professional and regulatory standards, including those set by the NMC. You will work collaboratively with course leaders, academic colleagues, and external stakeholders to shape and deliver a dynamic curriculum that meets the evolving needs of students, employers, and the wider health and social care sector.

You will play a key role in driving continuous improvement through the use of evaluation data and feedback, supporting student recruitment, retention, and progression. Your leadership will extend to line management of academic staff, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and professional development. This role also offers the opportunity to contribute to the School’s research and scholarship agenda, represent the School on internal and external committees, and lead strategic initiatives that advance our educational portfolio and impact. If you are passionate about nursing education and committed to shaping the future of the profession, we invite you to join our team.

What we can offer you:

• A full time, permanent position

• A competitive salary, excellent pension scheme and generous annual leave allowance.

• Up to 50% hybrid working in line with our current policy.

• You will be supported to engage in scholarship and research for your professional and personal development.

• We are an equal opportunities employer.

• We are committed to the health and wellbeing of our staff and to the sustainability of our environment.

RGU's ultra-modern campus, located on the outskirts of the vibrant and prosperous city of Aberdeen, offers a superb place to live, work and develop your career. A relocation package is available to assist with your transition to RGU, where you’ll enjoy working in one of the most impressive university settings in the UK, with first-class educational infrastructure and outstanding sporting and leisure facilities, all set against a stunning rural backdrop on the banks of the river Dee. More information can be found on our relocation pages

For an informal conversation please contact: Laura Binnie, Dean of School (l.m.binnie@rgu.ac.uk) or Dr Donna Wynne, Associate Dean (d.wynne@rgu.ac.uk)

To apply, please submit your CV along with a cover letter detailing your suitability for the role against the requirements set out in the person specification.

Job Description

RESPONSIBLE TO: Associate Dean

RESPONSIBLE FOR: Academic staff

PURPOSE OF POST: To lead and enhance our undergraduate and postgraduate nursing programmes. This role combines operational leadership with curriculum development, quality assurance, and strategic contribution to the School’s vision of transforming health and social care. You will work closely with course leaders, academic colleagues, and external partners to deliver innovative, evidence-based education that meets professional and regulatory standards.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES:

• Provide leadership for all nursing programmes.

• Lead curriculum developments and enhancements aligned with NMC standards.

• Lead portfolio development initiatives that support innovative workforce solutions, ensuring alignment with School priorities.

• Use evaluation data (e.g. NSS, internal reviews) to identify areas for enhancement and drive continuous improvement.

• Support recruitment, retention, and progression of nursing students.

• Line manage academic staff, including workload allocation and supporting their ongoing performance and professional development.

• Engage in scholarship and research aligned with the School’s strategy.

• Represent the School in internal and external committees and working groups.

• Facilitate research-informed teaching and contribute to scholarly outputs.

• Develop and maintain personal expertise in specialist subject areas.

• Provide leadership relating to curriculum development, innovative new course/CPD developments, teaching and learning, research, knowledge exchange and consultancy.

• Undertake teaching duties (via lectures, practicals, seminars, tutorials etc) and associated assessment duties, or as otherwise required by the Dean of School/Associate Dean.

• Supervise undergraduate and postgraduate projects.

• Engage with other staff in and out with the University, in research and professional activities relevant to the post.

• Manage and implement key projects and strategic initiatives, leading teams and delegating responsibilities as necessary.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Dean of School/Associate Dean.

 

Person Specification

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Professional Memberships

• NMC registration and recordable teaching qualification.

• Master’s Degree in a relevant subject.

• Fellowship of Advance HE.

Knowledge

• In-depth understanding of NMC standards and regulatory frameworks for nursing education.

• Familiarity with quality assurance processes, including use of evaluation data (e.g. NSS, internal reviews) to drive improvements.

• Understanding of academic governance and validation procedures.

• Knowledge of undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum design, delivery and leadership.

Experience

• Experience in curriculum development, module leadership, and team management.

• Experience of managing and implementing projects and strategic initiatives.

• Experience of managing deployment, performance and development of staff.

• A clear commitment to excellence in teaching and learning, with a strong focus on personal and professional development.

• Demonstrable authority in communicating the UK-based higher education context, in particular the relationship between key University KPIs, policies and requirements, and the broader obligations placed on institutions by government, etc.

• Evidence of leading and participating actively in internal and external networks, professional bodies, committees, national working groups and external partnerships.

 

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Professional Memberships

• Doctoral qualification or working towards.

• PgCert in Learning and Teaching or equivalent.

• Senior/Principal Fellowship of Advance HE.

Experience

• External examiner experience.

 

Behaviours

Behaviour 1: Communication - Ability to receive, understand and convey information requiring careful explanation and information of a complex or conceptual nature, in a clear and accurate manner

Behaviour 2: Team Development - Experience of providing advice or guidance to new starts delivering training or instruction to others on specific tasks or activities 

Behaviour 3: Service Delivery - Experience of exploring and adapting a service to meet customers’ expectations and also identifying ways of improving standards 

Behaviour 4: Teaching and Learning Support - Experience of providing standard information or delivering teaching or training, designing content or learning materials within existing frameworks and developing innovative approaches to learning experience and the curriculum

Behaviour 5: Decision Making - Experience of using own judgement to make decisions, making collaborative decisions with others to reach conclusions and providing advice or information that will influence the decisions of others

Behaviour 6: Pastoral Care and Welfare - Experience of calming and reassuring those with work/study related problems who may be experiencing distress and dealing with difficult welfare situations or confidential matters