Thank you for your interest in the role of Dean of the School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing (BEEC) at Leeds Beckett University.

This is an important appointment for LBU and an exciting opportunity for you to lead one of our largest and most distinctive academic Schools.

BEEC brings together a broad range of disciplines connected by a shared focus on sustainable places, digital innovation and applied professional education. Its work contributes directly to many of the major opportunities and challenges shaping society today, including the future of cities, infrastructure, sustainability, technological change and community resilience.

Leeds Beckett University has a strong anchor mission and deep regional connections. We are proud of the contribution we make to our students, our partners and the diverse communities we serve. Our new strategy commits us to supporting social mobility, economic development and inclusive growth.

You will find a School in good shape. Under the leadership of Professor Akin Akintoye staff engagement and collegiality is strong, student recruitment growing, student outcomes are positive and the School has developed a strong research and knowledge exchange culture built on strategic external partnerships.

We are looking for a Dean who can build on these strengths while helping BEEC to thrive in a changing social, economic and political environment.

The successful candidate will need to combine strategic capability with strong people leadership and sound operational judgement. They will bring the academic and professional credibility to lead a diverse and collegiate community, the ability to work collaboratively across the University, and the confidence to engage effectively with industry, professional and civic partners.

This role reports directly to me within a relatively flat institutional structure, and the Dean will play an important role both within the School and across the wider University.

If you are excited by the opportunity to lead a large and ambitious academic community within a University that values collaboration, inclusivity and practical impact, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Leeds Beckett is a modern, professional university with a dedicated, diverse community. Our vision is to be an excellent, accessible, globally-engaged university contributing positively to a thriving northern economy. Our mission is to ensure we use our knowledge and resources to make a positive and decisive difference to people, communities and organisations.

We are a community of around 24,000 students from over 140 countries and 2,600 staff, and our history dates back to the founding of Leeds Mechanics Institute in 1824. We are a major organisation in our region and the University contributes around £500m to the economy each year.

Leeds Beckett has:

• A bold, industrious spirit: We foster innovative thinking to create great graduates, exceptional employees, dynamic citizens and enterprising leaders.
• An environment enriched by research: Our world-leading and internationally-excellent research informs our curriculum and our students’ experience in all areas.
• A community dedicated to success: Our community is made up of people from a diverse mix of cultural and social backgrounds, brought together in a world-class learning environment.
• Excellent corporate services: Students and colleagues can access a range of professional services within our University, specifically designed to support the effective delivery of our academic provision.
• Safe and supportive networks: Our network of colleague and student groups provides safe and supportive environments in which to discuss issues relating to equality and inclusion.

Leeds is a vibrant, modern city with a rich industrial past and on the doorstep of natural beauty. It is the cultural, financial and commercial heart of West Yorkshire and has one of the most diverse economies of all the UK’s employment centres. Leeds is, and always will be, open for business and talent.

Teaching

Working in partnership with our students and the Students’ Union, we have transformed our undergraduate student experience and our students’ learning through exceptional and innovative academic practice and personalised support to our large and diverse student community.

Our teaching activity is organised into 8 Schools creating communities of committed staff and students who are passionate about their subject areas. Our courses feature collaborative, creative and practical learning in modern facilities that enable our students to develop themselves as enterprising citizens whose future contribution has a positive impact.

Research

Our research institutes and centres sustain outstanding research which informs our curriculum and our students’ experience in all areas. This research provides an enriched environment for an excellent research and teaching culture for all aspects of our students’ learning.

The REF 2021 results showed that 53% of the university’s submission was rated 3* and 4* and therefore considered internationally excellent or world-leading. Results were particularly strong in sport and exercise science, leisure and tourism where 89% of the submission was rated 4* or 3*. In the allied health and nursing unit, 80% of the submission was rated 4* and 3*. The results reflect the breadth of our research in these areas which includes improving gender equality in sports coaching, tackling obesity, supporting women with cancer with fertility decisions and improving the training of people working with those suffering from dementia.

Our REF 2021 submission included 352 research staff across 15 units of assessment, double the number of staff included in REF 2014. It included research driving up energy efficiency standards in homes, and understanding and supporting the role of civilian peacekeeping.

Sixty percent (60%) of the School’s REF 2021 submission in UoA 13 (Architecture, Built Environment and Planning) were world leading and internationally excellent and 52% in UoA 11 (Computer Science and Informatics). Our research environment has improved greatly since then with the ambition to submit a greater proportion of our staff for the next REF.

Corporate services

Students and colleagues can access a range of professional services within the University designed and operating to support the effective delivery of our academic provision.

Services for students include Libraries, Sport & Active Lifestyles, Student Services and Campus & Residential Services.

Departments including Finance, Estates, Information and Technology Services and Human Resources ensure the University runs efficiently, that colleagues get the support and advice they need, and services for students are accessible and focused on meeting their needs.

Our Schools

Our 8 Schools are:

• School of Built Environment Engineering and Computing
• Leeds Law School
• Leeds School of Arts
• Leeds Business School
• School of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Carnegie School of Education
• School of Health
• Carnegie School of Sport

Our campuses

We provide creative and contemporary learning environments packed with the latest technology, creating a focal point for new and innovative thinking.

City Campus: City Campus is in the heart of Leeds, ideally placed to connect with hundreds of businesses and organisations that offer work placements and employment opportunities to many of our students. The City Campus puts students and staff at the centre of a dynamic business community in a city with a thriving job market. Our award-winning buildings, the Rose Bowl and Broadcasting Place, are located at the City Campus, along with our new state-of-the-art Leeds School of Arts, which opened in 2020.

Headingley Campus: Headingley campus, about two miles away from the city centre, is set in 100 acres of beautiful parkland with historic buildings dating from 1752. The rich history and parkland setting coexists with modern sport science laboratories, animation and music studios and the latest computing labs. Our main sports facilities are based in Headingley alongside our iconic new Carnegie School of Sport. Plans are also in development for a new Carnegie School of Education on the Headingley campus.

Equality and inclusion

Equality and inclusion are essential to our academic and business strengths. We ensure our University community is a place where everyone feels respected, valued and supported to achieve excellence.

We are committed to providing a vibrant, ethical and sustainable working and learning environment that values equality and inclusion and recognises the contribution everyone brings to our University community.

Our network of colleague and student groups help us to help others get the information and support they need. These groups provide a safe and supportive environment in which to discuss issues relating to equality and inclusion, as well as provide support and networking and share best practice.

You can read more about our approach to equality and inclusion here.

University Executive Team structure

See our Executive Team structure here.

Further information

You can read much more about Leeds Beckett University on our website here.

Background and current position

The School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing (BEEC) is one of LBU’s 8 Schools. The School in its current form has existed since August 2019 when the School of Built Environment and Engineering (BEE) was merged with the computing and engineering arms of the School of Computing, Creative Technology and Engineering (CCTE). The School now brings together a range of related sectors from built environment and construction; human and natural environments; engineering industries and computing, IT and digital industries in a dynamic and vibrant setting, with a rapidly growing student cohorts from a range of backgrounds.

The School consists of four subject areas:

• Surveying, Construction and Project Management
• Engineering
• Computing
• Planning, Housing and Geography

Vital statistics of the School: staff, students and performance

The School teaches a wide range of disciplines including civil engineering, computer science, cyber security, quantity surveying, construction management, geography, planning, real estate, building services engineering, architectural technology, data science, building surveying, project management and electrical and electronic engineering.

The School currently has 150 permanent and fixed-term staff comprising 118 academics and 32 professional staff.

There are a total of 3724 students enrolled (as a headcount) in the School including those within franchises.

Excluding franchise students, the School has 3099 students who are enrolled on the home campus. Of these:

• 20% are Female and 33% are non-White
• 16% are international students
• 20% are mature students (i.e., age 25 years and over)
• 37% are from Low HE participation areas (i.e., POLAR Q1 & Q2) and 39% are from most deprived areas (i.e., IMDQ1 & Q2)

Our student employability, continuation and progression have continued to improve yearly. Over 90% of our graduates are in employment or further studies, and over 85% of graduates are in highly skilled jobs.

Research conducted in the School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing covers a wide range of technological, digital and built and natural environment disciplines; and includes a vibrant portfolio of applied research linked to industry and government, particularly in the areas of climate changes, sustainability, green computing, energy management, retrofitting, neighbourhood and cities development; all in response to changing global challenges in sustainability, smart cities, and advances in technology. The impact and influence of our research has continued to grow through production of patents, building regulations, government policy development and international reports.

The School’s research activity has continued to increase which is evidenced through our research income. A significant percentage of the School’s research income is from the UK Central Government funding and EU government bodies. The need to diversify funding sources is recognised particularly through the UK Research Councils funding.

USP, mission, vision, and value

The School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing at Leeds Beckett University brings together a uniquely broad array of disciplines under a single School to address the multifaceted nature of issues affecting urban and digital sustainability within the built environment. BEEC has expertise from planning through to computer science and having such a broad foundation of underpinning disciplines, means it can develop more holistic interdisciplinary approaches to generating and sharing knowledge, to address common societal problems in a progressive, stakeholder led way.

BEEC is the only University school in the UK that has a dedicated research institute investigating the sustainability of buildings with full time researchers, which means that cutting edge research can be fed into teaching.

BEEC is the only University school in Yorkshire which brings together such a broad range of courses from planning to digital security, meaning it is uniquely placed to holistically address issues facing sustainable communities.

BEEC Academics are known for having a good working relationship with industry, professional bodies, and the local communities. Our students are at the centre of our teaching and learning, and applied research is at the centre of our research and enterprise activities.

With good employability levels our graduates are working at local, regional, and national levels, solving critical issues of sustainability, digital and environment needs, and the wellbeing of communities in partnership with clients, industries, and professional bodies. Our career-based courses with practical and technical focus prepare our graduates for current and future work roles in the digital and natural and built environment sectors.

Our applied research has a far-reaching impact and is translated into practice and policy at regional, national, and international levels.

Mission

Our mission is to be known regionally, nationally, and internationally for collaboration with industry; for global engagement; and for excellent student experience. We will improve our University league table position and put the wellbeing of our staff and students are at the core of everything we do. Our applied research will be impactful with a clear vision to help achieve sustainable smart inclusive communities, and we will improve and grow the quality of our research outputs and enhance the research culture in the school.

Vision

The vision of BEEC at LBU is “to provide an inclusive world leading education, embracing applied research excellence that delivers benefit to our cities, communities, industry and ecosystem”.

We value

• Relationships: We work with family ethos in which we strive for transparency, inclusion, collaboration, and respect. We are a community of committed colleagues and students who are passionate about making a difference to the way we plan, design, construct, protect and maintain the world around us.
• Industry Collaboration: We work with industries and practitioners in our disciplines to meet their industry and professional needs.
• Career Development: We support our students in every way to have employment that they desire and their aspiration for lifelong learning.
• Transformational Research: We undertake applied research that has applications at local, national, and international levels and contribute to government policy development.
• Celebration: We celebrate our students and staff achievements through various avenues thereby creating an environment and culture that supports positive mental health and wellbeing.
• Student Engagement and Support: We fully support our students through pastoral support, mental health wellbeing, professional certified and accredited curriculum, enhanced student experiences and professional development.

Our university values have a direct impact on everybody in our community, from colleagues with decades of service, to students having their first thoughts about studying here. Our values shape our culture, they give us clarity, consistency, and a common purpose.

If you want to find out more about our commitment, vision and values, visit our ways of working web page.

• Equal Opportunities: We are committed to providing a non-discriminatory and harassment-free working environment for our employees. All our employees are expected to have due regard for those policies when carrying out their duties.
• Health and Safety: You will maintain a positive attitude to Health and Safety in carrying out personal responsibilities and co-operate with Health & Safety policy/local rules/Codes of practice relating to Health and Safety.
• Relationships: You will work closely with colleagues as a member of the School Leadership Team, within the School and across the University. You will also maintain and develop links with colleagues externally.
• Terms & Conditions: Terms & Conditions of Service for Senior Staff are as determined by the Vice Chancellor within a framework set by the Board of Governors.
• Probationary Period: Appointment to this position may be subject to a probationary period of up to 12 months, in line with our probationary policy. A copy of our probationary policy is available on our website or on request from Human Resources.
• Pre-employment Health Assessment: Our University aims to ensure that all employees are placed in a job that is compatible with their health and physical abilities. In accordance with the Equality Act, questions relating to health are asked following an offer of appointment. All offers of appointment are subject to pre-employment health assessment.
• Qualifications: In accordance with our pre-employment processes, it is University policy to verify qualifications for successful candidates. We will need evidence of those qualifications required by the employee specification and claimed on the application form.

Anderson Quigley is acting as an employment advisor to the University. An executive search process is being carried out by Anderson Quigley in addition to the public advertisement.

Should you wish to discuss either role in strict confidence, please contact Kiersten Avery on +44 (0)7510 384 735 or kiersten.avery@andersonquigley.com or Aino Betts on +44 (0)7743 934 723 or aino.betts@andersonquigley.com.

The closing date for applications is noon on 3 July 2026

Applications should consist of:

• A full CV.
• A letter of application (maximum of two pages) outlining your motivation for applying for the role and how you meet the points in the Specification.
• Please include details of three referees, though please note that we will not approach referees without your prior consent and only should you be shortlisted.