Job vacancy: Head of School

Plymouth Business School
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 Plymouth Business School 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 higher education 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

Key dates
The closing date for applications is 12 noon GMT on Monday 13 February 2023.
The final selection process with the University is scheduled to be held in the week commencing Monday 20 March 2023.
We have instructed our executive search partners, Minerva, to advise and assist us with this selection and appointment. Your applications should consist of a short CV of no more than four pages accompanied by a supporting statement that explicity addresses the criteria in the person specification. These can be uploaded on the Minerva website.
Please include current salary details and the names and addresses of three referees. Referees will not be approached until the final stages and not without prior permission from candidates.
All applications will receive an automated response on submission.
Personal data
In line with GDPR, we ask that you do not send us any information that can identify children or any of your Sensitive Personal Data (racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, data concerning health or sex life and sexual orientation, genetic and/or biometric data) in your CV and application documentation. Following this notice, any inclusion of your Sensitive Personal Data in your CV/application documentation will be understood by us as your express consent to process this information going forward. Please also remember to not mention anyone’s information or details (e.g., referees) who have not previously agreed to their inclusion.
Contact details
For further information and details on how to apply, please visit the Minerva website.
 

About Plymouth Business School

Based within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business, Plymouth Business School offers high-quality, student-centred degrees, postgraduate programmes and research opportunities relevant to today’s business-related industries.

Revising our education experience

In January 2020, beforeCOVID-19 was much of a topic for conversation, Plymouth Business School embarked on a revisioning of what a high-quality 2030 business education experience would look like from a student point of view, no matter where in the world they wanted to work.

We looked at predictive models and different governments’ industrial strategies, spoke to colleagues at different business schools in different countries, looked at the UN Sustainability Development Goals and took advice from international consultants, employers and our own alumni.

Every time there is a dramatic event like this pandemic or a shift in the economy, there are always winners and losers. But most importantly, there are always opportunities.

  • Plymouth Business School retains its pride in supporting the internationally recognised focus on sustainability and social purpose of the University as a whole.
  • We have redoubled our commitment to good business practice and social, economic and environmental responsibility.
  • Our mission is to put business-ready graduates on a path to a successful career and a happy life.

Creating confidence and resilience

We are not just educating students for tomorrow. We're really thinking about what they will also need in 2030. One of our aims is to educate students about where the economy is going and where the jobs are going, so that students can make informed choices.

Real experience every step of the way

As well as expert-led teaching, all undergraduate modules at Plymouth Business School have CV building activities integrated within them, for example, through micro-credentialing, real-world problem-based learning, or embedded direct employer activity.

We have ensured every module has a real-world problem-based exercise. We have direct employers involved in assessments.

A happy balance

Alongside a successful career, we really want our graduates to have a happy life. It’s important and not something generally considered in business schools of the past.
Within Plymouth Business School, we are investing in mental health and resilience training professionals, who are visible and known by our students, and are the first port of call for wellbeing issues.

These are people trained in spotting the early warning signs and early interventions are the key, while also providing personal resilience training for our students.
We want to prepare them for what life will throw at them while at University and beyond.

Our research

Plymouth Business School has a research-active community producing high-quality trans- and interdisciplinary research of local, national and international importance. We work collaboratively, engaging with individuals, businesses and organisations from the private, public and third sectors to deliver impactful research which is making a difference to societies, economies and cultures around the world and is embedded in our overseas and domestic, undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.

Our commitment to sustainable business underpins our research agenda. Plymouth Business School is home to two interdisciplinary research clusters:
  • sustainable business: productivity, innovation and performance (PIP)
  • sustainable business: consumers, business and community behaviour and management (CBCBM)
Through these clusters, we deliver an extensive portfolio of high-quality, impactful research outputs, internally and externally grant-funded collaborative research involving academics from other institutions as well as regional, national and international stakeholders outside the academic community, and knowledge exchange and transfer activities. The two clusters are home to over 40 researchers with expertise in a diverse range of disciplines and subjects as well as over 100 postgraduate researchers enrolled on our PhD and DBA programmes. The clusters provide a supportive and development infrastructure to all Plymouth Business School researchers and are closely aligned to the University’s three institutes – The Sustainable Earth Institute, The Marine Institute and Plymouth Institute of Health and Care – facilitating collaborative working with academics from across the University.

 

Further information