The role of Dean

Reporting to the Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dean’s collaborate regularly with other Senior Officers including the Pro Vice-Chancellors, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Vice-Chancellor and President. Deans play a crucial role in ensuring that policy is effectively developed and implemented in the interests of the entire University.

Job duties:

• Lead the School, developing and delivering a rolling strategic development plan, designed to maintain and further develop the School’s excellence in research & innovation, education & student experience and equity, diversity & inclusion in line with University strategy.
• Represent the School in the international and national academic and practitioner communities, with the object of promoting the School and enhancing its status and esteem.
• In consultation with the Provost and Pro Vice-Chancellors, work with the School’s Senior Management Team to foster an environment and culture that delivers excellence in all activities and, in particular: 
• • Enhance the School’s distinctive international reputation for research & innovation,
  • Strengthen the University’s sector-leading position for education and student experience,
  • Intensify the School’s international engagement and impact,
  • Invest in all staff and their career development via appropriate training and through annual Performance and Development Review (PDR),
  • Promote collaborations in research & innovation and teaching & learning leading to outstanding partnerships which deliver social, economic and cultural prosperity,
  • Foster an inclusive and equitable environment for all staff, students and visitors,
  • Promote a collegial approach to delivering success.
• Exercise high standards of skill and care in managing the School’s finances, its organisational structures, resource allocation and deployment, staff development arrangements (including PDR and promotion), reward & incentive mechanisms, and risk management.
• Agree the resources for the School as part of an annual budget setting process, and then work within the approved School budget, devising appropriate arrangements for the management of resource. Whilst Deans may delegate authority for  the day-to-day management of budgets, they retain responsibility for them at all times. 
• Represent the School at appropriate University decision making bodies.
• Chair appointment panels for appointments within the School and to serve on other appointment panels as required.
• Be responsible for performance management of staff, implementing the University’s procedures and processes as appropriate.
• Undertake appeals/grievance/disciplinary processes as required.
• Contribute a School perspective to the collegial development of the University.
• Pursue their own research, scholarship and teaching and contributing to the School’s research and teaching programmes.
• Engage in training programmes in the University, consistent with the needs and aspirations of the post holder and the University.
• Be responsible for health & safety within the School. Implement the University’s health and safety management systems and policies and ensure effective arrangements with regard to employees, students and other individuals whilst engaged in School activities.
• Represent the School and its interests on ceremonial and on other occasions.
• Undertake other duties as required by the Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

Points to note:

The purpose of this job description is to indicate the general level of duties and responsibility of the post. The detailed duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character or level of responsibility entailed.

Special conditions:

All staff have a statutory responsibility to take reasonable care of themselves, others and the environment and to prevent harm by their acts or omissions. All staff are therefore required to adhere to the University’s Health, Safety and Environmental Policy & Procedures. 

All staff should hold a duty and commitment to observing the University’s commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and duties must be carried out in accordance with this.

Successful completion of probation will be dependent on attendance at the University’s mandatory courses which include Belonging and Inclusion, and, where appropriate, Recruitment and Selection.

Organisational responsibility:

Reports to the Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

Conditions of service

The position is full time. The term of office as Dean of School is for a period of five years, at which time the position will be reviewed. The postholder will also hold the role of Professor of the University which is open-ended. While Dean of School, an honorarium is payable in addition to the postholder’s salary. A competitive salary will be confirmed on offer of appointment.

The University offers a substantial benefits package, including a pension scheme.

The appointment will be subject to the University’s normal Terms and Conditions of Employment for Academic and Related staff/Operational and Administrative staff.

The University is committed to enabling staff to maintain a healthy work-home balance and has a number of family-friendly policies which can be found on the HR website.

We also offer an on-campus nursery with subsidised places, subsidised places at local holiday clubs and a childcare voucher scheme see more about childcare support here. In addition, the University is supportive, where operational needs allow, of flexible working arrangements.

We also strive to create a culture that supports equity and celebrates diversity throughout the campus. The University holds a Bronze Athena SWAN award which recognises the importance of support for women at all stages of their academic career. 

Staff have a statutory responsibility to take reasonable care of themselves, others and the environment and to prevent harm by their acts or omissions. All staff are therefore required to adhere to the University’s Health, Safety and Environmental Policy and Procedures.

Staff should hold a duty and commitment to observing the University’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion values, vision and purpose at all times. Duties must be carried out in accordance with relevant Equality and Diversity legislation and University policies/procedures.