Job description

Main purpose of role

Heads of Department/School at the University of York provide academic leadership in their Department/School, play a crucial role in collective decision-making on strategy and finance in their Faculties, and are Senior Leaders at University level, helping to deliver the University's commitment to Public Good.

Key responsibilities

Departmental Responsibilities

• Provide academic leadership and direction for the department/school ensuring the department/school maintains the highest possible standards in research and teaching
• Translate strategic goals into operational plans and establish and lead a management team to implement these operational plans
• Work with all colleagues in the department/school to ensure all academic staff are well managed and motivated and have opportunities for career development
• Foster collaborative relationships (internally and externally) with key stakeholders and partners in teaching, research and knowledge exchange
• Manage the finances of the department/school, ensuring the department/school has robust financial planning and management (in line with the faculty budget)
• A commitment to developing (through colleagues) new forms of educational opportunities through online or non-traditional means
• Work with the Health & Safety team to ensure your local Health & Safety arrangements are implemented
• Foster a culture of excellence, co-operation and respect, driving a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion for all students and staff both within and beyond the department/school

Faculty Responsibilities

• Support the development of Faculty Strategy aligned to the University Strategy 2030, and exercise joint responsibility for its successful delivery
• Approve strategic initiatives developed by, and between, academic departments and schools, and review their wider staffing and wider resourcing and delivery
• Work closely with the Deputy Head of Faculty Operations and Director of Faculty Operations to develop and maintain an appropriate professional and technical support for the department/school and wider Faculty
• Develop and implement strategic financial plans that enhance departmental income through student recruitment, research grants, industry partnerships and external engagement
• Actively lead financial planning to ensure effective budgeting, cost management and resource allocation. Maintain financial sustainability through efficient processes, cost reduction and ensuring that resources (staff, facilities and equipment) are used effectively to meet academic and financial goals
• Work with the Dean to ensure health, safety and welfare, EDI and sustainability considerations are designed into all aspects of Faculty-decision-making and discussions
• Support and contribute to the faculty planning and budget management process
• Represent the Faculty in the wider University and externally

Institutional Responsibilities

• Ensure delivery of the department/school's contribution to University and Faculty strategic plans
• Contribute to the development and delivery of institutional strategic change programmes at a department/school level
• Play an active role in institutional committees and projects that enhance and support the wider institutional endeavours
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with key senior internal and external partners including a commitment to enhancing industrial income
• Contribute to the University's roles in civic leadership, international engagement, and in addressing major social challenges such as environmental sustainability

The above list of duties is not exhaustive and is subject to change. The post holder may be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the level and scope of the post.

Line management

The role holder is line managed by the relevant Dean.

Person specification

Area	Criteria	Essential or desirable
Qualifications	PhD or equivalent, such as professional level experience	Essential
Knowledge	Relevant research and teaching at a high level	Essential
	A personal academic standing which commands the respect of colleagues within the department, University and externally	Essential
	Good understanding of the current issues in higher education, in the areas of governance, management, processes, people, infrastructure, technology and finance	Essential
Skills, abilities and competencies	Strong commitment to the goals and vision of the University	Essential
	Creates a sense of unity and common purpose	Essential
	Manages change effectively	Desirable
	Actively builds teams and effective working relationships	Essential
	Promotes interdisciplinary working beyond the Department/School through others	Essential
	Ability to work collaboratively and develop positive relationships with a range of senior stakeholders, both inside and outside the organisation	Essential
	A strong commitment to promoting excellence in teaching, research and leadership	Essential
	Ability to nurture and develop credibility with senior academic colleagues, though an understanding of the issues and challenges faced as academic leaders	Essential
	Ability to inspire, influence and persuade at all levels of the organisation	Essential
	Aptitude for financial and budget management, with the ability to manage resources, control costs and ensure financial sustainability through income generation	Essential
	A proactive leadership approach to health, safety & wellbeing and the ability to embed this into the departments/schools practices and procedures	Essential
Experience	Proven record of managing diverse resources in the University or a similar environment	Essential
	Experience of identifying risks and options, and of developing strategies to manage and mitigate them	Essential
	Previous experience of delivering positive outcomes in a leadership role	Essential
Personal attributes	Consultative and able to influence and work collaboratively, with emotional intelligence and an ability to relate to a wide range of people at all levels	Essential
	Creative and innovative with a strong grounding in practical solutions and achieving results	Essential
	Resilient, able to work well in a fast changing environment and with conflicting priorities	Essential
	Political and commercial acumen, able to seek and identify opportunities for the benefit of the University	Essential
	Integrity, openness and honesty with a strong commitment to equality and inclusivity and an understanding of cultural differences and considerations	Essential

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Document control

• Approved on: 31 May 2015
• Last reviewed and updated: 20 September 2023