Appointment of the Associate Dean – Research & Enterprise, Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment
Thank you for your interest in this role.
Our university has a deserved reputation as a vibrant, ambitious and successful institution. The investment of over £300M into the estate has created a truly astonishing environment for students and staff, in the heart of our city. Birmingham itself, with its five universities and 65,000 students is the ‘youngest city in Europe’ with under-25s accounting for nearly 40 percent of its population. With 50 percent of our students from a BAME background, we are proud of how we represent and positively impact this wonderful city, and with Sir Lenny Henry as our Chancellor, we are truly the University for Birmingham.
Our faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment is a thriving and diverse academic community, with a strong track record of delivering excellent education at undergraduate, taught postgraduate and research postgraduate levels. Our location on our city centre campus in Birmingham’s Eastside, the city’s knowledge quarter, places us firmly at the heart of the city and close to the many institutions and social constituencies with whom we work closely. We are passionate about our teaching and put students firmly at the heart of all our activities.
We are focused on applied research and our new Associate Dean will embody and promote our pursuit of practical applications, bringing a holistic vision for research, enterprise and innovation and the interdependence of research, industry collaboration and classroom teaching. You may be in higher education or a related sector industry, but you must a master at team building, someone who can create buy-in and work through others to champion a vibrant research community within the Faculty and be a powerful advocate to promote our interests.
The role will be challenging, the sector is changing rapidly and Birmingham City University is ideally placed to respond to those challenges. In recent years we have made significant strides in this area and it will be your role to lead and help us to achieve our full potential. If you would like to contribute your expertise, creativity and energy to this wonderful institution, we would be delighted to hear from you.
With around 24,000 students from 80 countries and 2,800 members of staff, Birmingham City University is a large, diverse and increasingly popular place to study. We put students at the heart of everything we do, giving them the best opportunities for future success.
The University has an enviable reputation for providing quality, student-focused education in a professional and friendly environment. Our superb courses, state-of-the-art facilities, first-rate staff, and focus on practical skills and professional relevance is producing some of the country’s most employable graduates. We’re investing over £300 million in our estate, including a major expansion of our city centre campus at Eastside, providing students with an enviable range of facilities.
Ideally located in the centre of our dynamic and diverse city, the Faculty comprises two schools (Computing and Engineering & the Built Environment) that, together, are able meet the multiple modern technological challenges posed by our fast-paced industries. Their shared vision is to create a powerful centre of technological excellence and innovation and to equip our students with the skills they need to succeed in the workplace and contribute to the wider society.
Our research is solving real world, contemporary problems such as the work undertaken by our Advanced Materials and Manufacturing research group, or our partnership with the automotive sector to create immersive, real-time visualisation systems for motor vehicles or our work in flood management, property flood risks and the high profile work of our Water, Environment and Communities Research Group which undertakes applied research on a range of themes relating to water and the environment.
Our staff and student community is defined by our core values, which outline who we are as a University and how we will work with each other.
Our core values are:
Excellence, People focused, Partnership working and Fairness and Integrity.
Our mission
“To transform the prospects of individuals, employers and society through excellence in practice-based education, research and knowledge exchange”.
Our vision
“To be the leading university for creative and professional practice inspired by innovation and enquiry”.
We define our role and place in higher education through four characteristics which underpin what we do and how we do it:
Practice
We focus on practice so all students have Practice Intelligence (the capability to learn from experience and apply it to all future practice).
All courses include practice, practical experience and learning through practice; we command credibility and respect from the professions and our curriculum anticipates their changing needs.
Our research and knowledge development are applied to practice.
Creativity and enterprise
We promote the value and application of creativity and enterprise skills in all areas of our staff and students’ work.
Creativity and enterprise skills and capabilities will be distinguishing features of all Birmingham City University graduates.
Student Engagement
We seek high levels of student engagement so our students have a sense of ‘ownership’ in their University.
Our focus is student success and we believe they have a major role to play in shaping what the University does to ensure this.
Click here to view our Core Values Framework.
Associate Dean - Research & Enterprise, Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment
Faculty/ School/ Department: Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment (CEBE)
Responsible to: PVC – Executive Dean
Responsible for: Project Manager, Director of Research Environment (fixed term)
Key Faculty professional links: School Research Directors and UoA leads, Research Group Leads, Sector specific research leads, Doctoral college staff, Chair Faculty Academic Ethics, Research support staff
Job purpose
Provide leadership, strategic and operational management for the Faculty in relation to the agreed focus areas in the context of the University’s Strategic plan. Support the Executive Dean in achieving the Faculty’s agreed objectives.
Main activities and responsibilities
- Make a valuable contribution to the leadership and management of the Faculty and help ensure that the Faculty Management Team creates a supportive, vibrant and engaging achievement oriented culture which facilitates timely and effective change.
- Work with the Executive Dean and other Senior Managers in the Faculty to agree a strategic direction that is in line with the University’s Strategic Plan and create and revise the Faculty Development Plan to include the setting of achievement targets.
- Work with the Executive Dean and other senior managers to monitor performance against targets and work with them to address under performance against those targets.
- On behalf of the Faculty and the University, develop and sustain close relationships with employers, external agencies, key stakeholders and other providers and act as an effective ambassador for the University in a range of external settings ensuring that, at all times the University is portrayed positively and its reputation is enhanced.
- Ensure effective two way communication throughout the Faculty in relation to relevant University and Faculty strategies, policies, procedures and projects ensuring staff, students and other stakeholders are consulted, listened to and well-informed.
- Lead specific initiatives and projects within the Faculty as agreed with the Executive Dean and contribute to the strategic and operational development of the University through undertaking cross-University projects and initiatives identified by the Vice-Chancellor’s Office or Executive Dean.
- Represent the Faculty at relevant University Committees and meetings and take an active role in Faculty Committees and groups including chairing as appropriate.
- Plan, monitor and manage any devolved budgets effectively.
- Work closely with other senior managers in the Faculty to provide leadership, effective management and development for all staff including identifying opportunities for staff to be involved in cross-University and external projects, events and working groups.
- Provide leadership and management to specific staff as defined by the role and any other staff as agreed with the Executive Dean, including the setting of objectives, performance management and review.
- Liaise, co-operate, collaborate and communicate effectively with colleagues both within the Faculty and the wider University including central and professional service functions to share good practice, innovate and improve performance to create a culture of continuous quality enhancement within the Faculty.
- Provide academic leadership, ensuring high academic standards are achieved, and contribute to teaching, research, professional practice and/or third stream activity as appropriate.
- Contribute to the recruitment and selection of staff within the Faculty and, as appropriate, elsewhere in the University.
- Lead as appropriate on the implementation of University and Faculty policies, strategic decisions and compliance requirements including those related to quality review, audit recommendations, equality issues and health and safety.
- Any other duties as appropriate to the role and agreed with the Executive Dean including Deputising for the Executive Dean as required.
Additional key requirements
Managing people and resources
- Lead and manage own projects with overall responsibility for the organising and deployment of resources within own areas of responsibility.
- Undertake regular appraisal reviews of staff as appropriate, ensuring clear performance expectations and supporting personal development plans are agreed, as well as encouraging the continuous professional development of staff within area of responsibility.
- Manage devolved budgets.
Communication
- Be routinely involved in complex and important negotiations internally and with external bodies
Teamwork and collaborative working
- Develop and communicate a clear vision of the Faculty’s strategic direction.
- Ensure the enactment of University strategic plans.
- Develop and lead major external partnerships and collaborations.
- Promote a collegiate approach and develop team spirit and team coherence.
- Foster inter-disciplinary team working.
Initiative, problem solving and decision making
- Determine the allocation of resources within a significant area of a Faculty.
- As a member of the Faculty Senior Management Team, make strategic decisions on Faculty plans and objectives
- Contribute to the strategic direction of the University through participation in University Committees etc.
- Lead the development of new and creative approaches to achieve strategic goals.
- Initiate new and original solutions to problems.
Work environment
- Exercise overall responsibility for health and safety in own areas of responsibility.
- Ensure that appropriate risk management processes are operational.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
- Good first degree.
- Postgraduate and/or professional qualification in relevant area.
- A higher degree, PhD or professional doctorate in a relevant academic area.
- Professorial status, or the eligibility to be awarded professorial status upon appointment is desirable.
- Significant management experience in an academic or commercial environment.
- A track record of successful development, management and delivery of relevant projects.
- Significant experience of people management, budgetary control and allocation of resources.
- A proven track record of achieving performance targets and supporting others to meet their performance targets.
- Experience at a strategic level of contributing to and implementing vision, and developing and implementing policy.
- A track record of Higher Education teaching, research or third stream activity.
- Monitoring and evaluating people and systems to enhance the quality and provision of service.
- Experience and understanding of QAA requirements.
- Experience of chairing committees and taking a lead role in decision making groups/committees.
- Successful experience of managing through other managers.
- Experienced in the recruitment and selection of staff.
- Experienced in the analysis and presentation of management and financial information for decision making.
Able to demonstrate:
- Strategic focus with strong leadership and management skills including excellent analytical, communication and presentation skills.
- Strong interpersonal and facilitatory skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team, to lead and to inspire high quality performance in others.
- High levels of motivation with ability to determine and achieve own targets and objectives.
- Ability to build effective relationships and interact with students, colleagues, external clients, stakeholders and fellow professionals and to work collaboratively.
- Experience and/or ability to plan, manage and implement change in an academic environment while maintaining the confidence of staff at all levels.
- Ability to visualise how the Faculty could and should be developed to attain academic excellence in local, national and international markets.
- High level of professionalism, enthusiasm and commitment.
- Confidence and courage to take on challenges and be accountable for any decisions / risks taken.
- Good organisational skills.
- Strong negotiation skills.
- Good IT skills.
Special requirements
- Able to undertake duties at different premises including any University campus as required.
- National and international travel will be necessary in order to attend conferences and events and effectively represent the University in key professional networks.
- Expected to work outside of normal office hours as required.
- All academic staff are expected to engage in activities associated with promotion, marketing and public outreach of the subject area.
Specific responsibilities in relation to Research
- Develop and implement the Faculty’s research and enterprise strategy.
- Chair the Faculty Research Committee and Faculty Research Degrees Committee.
- Be responsible for the oversight of Faculty Postgraduate Research student recruitment, induction, progression and completion.
- Be responsible for the oversight of the Faculty research income targets.
- Champion a vibrant research / supervisory / professorial community within the Faculty.
- Work with Heads of School to devise and deliver Faculty work allocations to support and extend research activity.
- Contribute strategic leadership in research to the wider University via the University Research Committee.
- Be extensively externally networked to facilitate new research contracts and awards.
- Advise and support Faculty REF Units of Assessment (UoA) leaders in recruitment and induction of new researchers.
- Support and develop international research links, joint centres and collaborative partnerships.
Additional expertise and experience requirements
- Significant experience of a research portfolio, student supervision and contract success.
- Experience of successful development, management and delivery of relevant international collaborative and franchised programmes.
- Understanding and experience of research in the Higher Education sector.
- Evidence of a track record of providing strategic and visionary direction in the development of research projects and/or enterprise.
- Have good knowledge and awareness of the different opportunities related to research.
- Knowledge and awareness of the broad context of research in Higher Education and government policy in the UK and the current and forthcoming challenges and opportunities it presents.
- Successful leadership of curriculum and programme development.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
In addition, the following specialist expertise, skills and experience is desirable:
- Experience of successful interaction between Higher Education industry or commerce, research and professional bodies.
- Experience of successful income generation.
- Scholarship and publication in a relevant area.
- Ability to be an articulate advocate for the Faculty and able to promote and protect its interests.
- Evidence of ability to create and sustain a Faculty research culture.
Specific responsibilities in relation to Enterprise
- Develop and implement the Faculty’s research and enterprise strategy
- Be responsible for Faculty enterprise income targets.
- Oversee all Faculty business generation, client relationship management (CRM) and contract closure.
- Work with Heads of School to devise and deliver Faculty work allocations to support / extend Enterprise activity.
- Develop a strong external profile facilitating knowledge transfer and inward investment.
- Drive the Faculty’s strategy to support students and graduates into employment and the “take up” of entrepreneurship and student business start-ups, to include monitoring and evaluation of employment targets.
- Take a lead role in the development of employer partnerships and Faculty industry/business boards to include the delivery of project, internship and placement opportunities.
Additional expertise and experience requirements
- Significant experience of a research portfolio, student supervision and contract success.
- Experience of successful development, management and delivery of relevant international collaborative and franchised programmes.
- Understanding and experience of research in the Higher Education sector.
- Evidence of a track record of providing strategic and visionary direction in the development of research projects and/or enterprise.
- Have good knowledge and awareness of the different opportunities related to research.
- Knowledge and awareness of the broad context of research in Higher Education and government policy in the UK and the current and forthcoming challenges and opportunities it presents.
- Successful leadership of curriculum and programme development.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
In addition, the following specialist expertise, skills and experience is desirable:
- Experience of successful interaction between Higher Education industry or commerce, research and professional bodies.
- Experience of successful income generation.
- Scholarship and publication in a relevant area.
- Ability to be an articulate advocate for the Faculty and able to promote and protect its interests.
- Evidence of ability to create and sustain a Faculty research culture.
Expectations of all staff
Professional standards
All staff employed by Birmingham City University are expected to exhibit high professional standards which promote and demonstrate the University’s core values of Excellence, People Focused, Partnership Working, Fairness and Integrity.
In addition, Associate Deans are expected to be an active ambassador for the University and proactively identify ways to enhance the University’s collective reputation.
Equal Opportunities
All staff are expected to understand and enact the University’s commitment to ensuring equality and diversity in all activities. This commitment is enshrined in the Equality Statement and core values.
Dignity at work
Every member of staff has a responsibility to ensure colleagues are treated with dignity and respect.
The University is committed to creating a work environment for all staff that is free from harassment, intimidation and any other forms of bullying at work, where everyone is treated with dignity, respect and professional courtesy.
Health and safety
The arrangements for meeting the University’s health and safety objectives are contained in the Birmingham City University Health and Safety Policy. This includes the responsibilities of key staff and procedures covering the main activities of the University.
All staff are expected to take reasonable care of themselves and those that may be affected by their actions.
Dress code
The University does not operate a formal dress code for its employees, other than for those who are provided with uniform and/or protective clothing. However, employees must ensure that their dress is professional, reasonably smart and appropriate for the situation in which they are working. All staff should ensure that they present a professional image and one that reflects sensitivity to customer perceptions. This may reflect their ethnicity and lifestyle, but should not be provocative or cause offence to those with whom they have contact.
Citizenship
All staff are expected to adhere to good citizenship, being generous with help and support to others, collaborating with colleagues and working for the benefit of the University as a whole. In particular working to provide a positive student experience and achieving excellence in all the University’s activities.
This post is offered on a full time, permanent basis.
The salary will be agreed with the successful candidate. In addition, the Associate Dean will be entitled to the following terms and conditions:
- Pension Scheme Membership
- ‘Paid for’ benefits such as childcare vouchers, season travel ticket loans, cycle to work scheme
- Relocation in line with HMRC guidelines
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.
Applications should consist of:
- A full CV.
- A covering letter (maximum of 3 pages) outlining how you broadly meet the experience criteria in the person specification.
- Please include details of two referees, though please note that we will not approach your referees without your prior consent and only should you be shortlisted.
- Please complete the following online Equal Opportunity Monitoring Form.
Completed applications should be uploaded at www.andersonquigley.com/candidates using the reference AQ1009
The closing date for applications is noon on Wednesday 25th November 2020
Should you wish to discuss the role in strict confidence, please contact Sophie Rees on +44(0)771 931 3982 or Ed Pritchard on +44 (0)203 457 0948.
Timetable
| Closing date: | Noon on Wednesday 25th November |
| Longlisting: | Monday 30th November |
| Preliminary Interviews with AQ: | w/c 30th November |
| Shortlisting: | Tuesday 8th December |
| Final Panel Interviews: | January 2021 TBC |
