Salary: Competitive.
Academic Team.

Location: UCFB Wembley

As part of our continued success and expansion we have an exciting opportunity for an experienced practitioner to provide strong academic leadership to our growing academic department at UCFB Wembley.

As Head of Department you will be required to lead, manage and develop the department to ensure it achieves the highest possible standards of excellence in all its activities supported by the Provost & Chief Executive, and by colleagues from within the department, and central services exercising leadership, demonstrating vision, and empowering others in order to deliver the agreed departmental strategy within UCFB.

Job specification

  1. Leadership and Management
    1.1 be responsible and accountable for setting and advancing the academic strategy of the Department in line with UCFB strategic plans and direction
    1.2 be an active member of the Senior Management Team and contribute to the overall leadership and management of the Academic Department: it is expected that Heads of Department will carry functional responsibility for specific agreed cross-cutting UCFB areas
    1.3 develop and sustain appropriate structures for management, consultation, decision-making and communication with staff and students
    1.4 promote and represent UCFB both internally and externally
  2. Responsibility for Teaching and Students
    2.1 ensure the best possible student experience through:
  • the fulfilment of the UCFB’s responsibilities concerning students in respect of their admission, instruction, progress and examination;
  • the availability of pastoral assistance, and
  • adherence to the regulations and procedures of UCFB

  2.2 refresh and develop new programmes in order to attract new students and markets

  1. Responsibility for Research
    3.1 ensure the highest levels of quality, integrity and ethics in all research undertaken
    3.2 create a dynamic and forward looking research environment for both staff and students
  2. Knowledge Transfer
    4.1 create and exploit new opportunities for knowledge transfer activity in order to secure additional income streams and new areas of teaching and/or research
    4.2. contribute to UCFB-wide initiatives in order to improve understanding and communication of this area
  3. People Management
    5.1 ensure that UCFB HR policies and procedures are implemented
    5.2 ensure that staff performance is managed appropriately and in a way that is consistent with the expectations of the UCFB Academic, and that fair workload allocation processes are in place
    5.3 ensure all staff have access to the necessary support to enable them to contribute fully and develop their skills and experience
    5.4 engender a culture of excellence, co-operation and respect both within and beyond the department
    5.5 make effective use of all staffing resources and seek opportunities for collaboration and joint working with others beyond the department and beyond UCFB
    5.6 ensure students are included as appropriate in the various decision making fora within the department
    5.7 ensure a safe and healthy environment for both staff and students, and full compliance with health and safety requirements
  4. Financial Management
    6.1 take responsibility for devolved budgets and comply with UCFB’s financial regulations
    6.2 manage income and expenditure in order to promote financial sustainability
    6.3 ensure adherence by all Departmental members, with UCFB Financial Regulations and other financial operating procedures and regulations
    6.4 ensure that UCFB equipment/facilities under the department´s control are properly maintained and serviced as required
  5. Quality Assurance
    7.1 ensure all activities are carried out to the highest possible standards and put in place the necessary evaluation and monitoring procedures to ensure both compliance and improvement: such procedures will include teaching, research and management of all resources
    7.2 comply with auditing, quality assurance and risk management procedures both internal and external
  6. Development of Academic/Research Standing
    8.1 continue to develop one´s position as a leading academic researcher; including publication, securing of external funding and the pursuit of other relevant indicators of standing in the field
    8.2 give due consideration to ways of retaining connections with teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels
    8.3 give due consideration to the status of Head as a role model for other members of staff in the pursuit of academic excellence
  7. Person Specification

Background and Experience
The successful candidate will:

  • have a very strong academic record and standing
  • normally be at professorial level – although skills and aptitude will be more important
  • have a very good understanding of the academic disciplines within the department
  • have commercial experience and acumen
  • be fully aware and show an understanding of the QAA UK Quality Code and understand and have a successful track record of using the UK Quality Code to review and enhance academic standards
  • ideally experience and evidence of participating in a successful implementation of a Higher Education Review.

Skills
The successful candidates will:

  • have the ability to engage constructively with people
  • have excellent communication skills
  • have very good ambassadorial and diplomatic skills
  • have the ability to manage a number of competing demands
  • have excellent delegation skills
  • be flexible and adapt to changing circumstances
  • be able to develop their skills and seek advice from a variety of sources
  • be willing and able to exercise judgement and take risks

All enquiries and applications should be made to jobs@ucfb.com with submission of a full CV and detailed covering letter addressed to Professor Philip Wilson, Provost & Chief Executive. Covering letters should demonstrate a thorough understanding of UCFB, our ethos and objectives, highlight suitability and job specification requirements as above and motivations for wanting to join our pioneering institution.

All enquiries and applications will be treated with the upmost confidentiality.

UCFB is committed to equality of opportunity and to eliminating discrimination. All employees are expected to adhere to the principles set out in its Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy, Promoting Race Equality Policy and Disability Policy and all other relevant guidance/practice frameworks.