Job vacancy: Head of School
At the University of Plymouth, it is in our nature to innovate – be that in our teaching or in our research. We strive for the highest quality in all that we do – pushing boundaries isn’t just encouraged, it is expected. The University’s mission - advancing knowledge, transforming lives - is manifested in the compelling combination of first-class, innovative teaching, clusters of world-class research, and a commitment to widening participation and social inclusion, so that our students are supported and encouraged to unlock their true potential.
The Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business comprises four schools, The School of Art, Design and Architecture, Plymouth Business School, Plymouth Institute of Education and the School of Society and Culture. The faculty is proud of its substantial research excellence and international reputation across the disciplines of English, creative writing, history, education, performing arts and music, digital arts, photography, curatorial practice, architecture, environmental building, supply chain management, accounting, and law.
The University is now seeking to appoint a Head for the School of Society and Culture to provide bold and strategic leadership to the School, reporting to the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business. The Head of School role is primarily responsible for formulating and operationalising academic strategy, ensuring appropriate plans and resources are in place for their delivery. This is a truly exciting time to lead the School, building on its existing strengths and developing new and innovative ways of taking the School forward. 
Approachable and visible, you will bring a proven track record of confident senior leadership and management in an equivalent context and amidst a context of rapid change within the University and HE sector as a whole. You will need to be adept at direction setting, delegation and engaging staff in their part in delivering results for the sustainable success of the School, Faculty and University.
You will normally be a consummate professor in your field with considerable academic and personal credibility in a relevant discipline and be seeking an opportunity to build on the School’s success to date and lead it forward during a time of change and opportunity.

How to Apply

The University of Plymouth has appointed global executive search firm Perrett Laver to support the appointment of Head of the School of Society and Culture.
For a confidential conversation on the role, please contact Sanjana Kumar at sanjana.kumar@perrettlaver.com or +44 (0)20 3928 7378.
To apply, please complete the application form on the Perrett Laver website, quoting reference 6414.
Applications should consist of a full curriculum vitae, detailing academic and professional qualifications and experience, full employment history and relevant achievements. CVs should be accompanied by a covering letter describing briefly your motivation for the role and your vision for the School of Society and Culture at the University of Plymouth. The closing date for applications is 09:00 UK time Monday 17 April 2023.
Successful candidates will be invited to first round interviews with Perrett Laver the week commencing Monday 1 May 2023. Final interviews with the University of Plymouth will be held in May 2023.
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About the School of Society and Culture

The School of Society and Culture brings together subjects that are among the most relevant in today’s society; subjects that play a crucial role in addressing some of the world’s most pressing social issues and that require skilled, creative and forward-thinking individuals capable of shaping the future. The core disciplines within the school are: 
  • English, creative writing, music and performance 
  • History, art history, politics and international relations 
  • Law 
  • Criminology, sociology and anthropology

Studying with us

We’ve created a learning environment that embodies all corners of the world’s societies and cultures; an environment that brings together today’s most valuable subjects from the social and political sciences, law, performing arts and humanities to empower students to personalise their journey, expand their thinking, realise their ambitions and pursue their passions.
All our courses enable students to dive deeper into areas related to their core degree or to branch out and study modules from across the School’s subject areas. For example, students can add a taste of criminology and politics to their creative writing degree.

Research 

The School of Society and Culture is home to a diverse collection of researchers working in the social sciences, humanities and performing arts.
We’re dedicated to advancing knowledge for public benefit, driving meaningful change in our society and enriching communities (be they near us or an ocean away). Visit the School of Society and Culture digital repository of staff research to watch short videos from academics working in the School’s disciplines: Anthropology, Art History, Computer Music, Creative Writing, Criminology, English, Environmental Cultures, Heritage, History, International Relations, Law, Music, Politics, Sociology, and Theatre and Performance.
The School’s disciplines are grouped into five research units to correlate with the Research Excellence Framework. We are especially proud to report that the most recent REF 2021 exercise demonstrated the strength of our research, with the majority of our ‘outputs’ (books, articles, performances), ‘impactful activity’ (for public benefit), and ‘environment’ (including our PhD graduates, and externally-funded grant awards) rated at 3* or 4* (internationally significant or world leading).