Appointment of the Executive Director for the International Centre for Transformational Entrepreneurship
Dear Candidate,
Thank you for your interest in this position at the Faculty of Business and Law (FBL) at Coventry University.
Coventry University is a forward-looking, modern university with a proud tradition as a provider of high quality education and a focus on applied research. Our students benefit from state-of-the-art equipment and facilities in all academic disciplines including health, design and engineering laboratories, performing arts studios and computing centres. Our city-centre campus is continually developing and evolving, and we have plans for further investment in it over the next few years. We are a major presence in Coventry, which contributes to the city’s friendly and vibrant atmosphere and also enables us to foster successful business partnerships. Through our links with leading edge businesses and organisations in the public and voluntary sectors, our students are able to access project and placement opportunities that enhance their employability on graduation.
We are currently recruiting for an Executive Director for the International Centre for Transformational Entrepreneurship in FBL. This is a senior leadership role which reports directly to the Dean of FBL. ICTE is an innovative and ground-breaking entrepreneurship centre within FBL and needs a dynamic person to expand ICTE’s activities locally, nationally and internationally. ICTE’s focus on transformational entrepreneurship blends a wide range of services and products that encompass education, research and support to assist students, staff and businesses to be more entrepreneurial across the Coventry University Group.
The primary accountabilities of the Executive Director include the strategic and day-to-day operations of ICTE; development and delivery of targets; the management and reporting of administrative systems, finance, income and recruitment-related activity; building external relationships. In addition, the candidate is expected to develop relationships and partnerships externally to foster collaboration and generate income. It is also expected that the successful candidate will still maintain and improve their profile in teaching and research activities. Therefore, the person must have a flexible approach to work, be willing to travel nationally and internationally, be self-motivated, be an effective communicator and able to work as an individual and a member of a team.
This is wonderful high-profile leadership opportunities. If you would like to contribute your expertise, creativity and energy to this wonderful institution, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Best wishes,
We are a unique institution with distinctive approach to our activities.
Our staff are central to the university’s success and we are committed to supporting them in their delivery of teaching and learning, research outputs and impact, and enterprise development – all of which will enhance our ability to operate globally. Our approach is partnership-driven, entrepreneurial and sustainable. You can take a look at our Group Strategy and find out more about our vision for 2030 here.
Our teaching, staff, facilities and student experience have received a variety of awards and accolades in recent years. We were awarded University of the Year for Student Experience by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019, and were shortlisted for University of the Year in 2021; we were ranked 38th in the Guardian University Guide 2022. We hold a TEF Gold and received 5 stars for teaching, student satisfaction and online learning in the QS Stars Ratings 2020.
We’re proud of our achievements and of the way in which the university’s global reputation is flourishing, but we’re not resting on our past successes. We’re committed to continuing to deliver quality teaching and learning, outstanding student satisfaction, and to equipping our graduates with the skills they need to flourish personally and professionally.
Our Structure
Coventry gained its university status in 1992. Since then we have worked tirelessly to become a global enterprise, establishing multiple campuses and initiatives across the world.
The Coventry University Group is an umbrella term for Coventry University and all of our locations owned and governed by Coventry University. You can view our structure chart and other relevant organigrams for a more detailed overview here.
We are one of the top-rated universities for working with business and are proud to be seen as a business-facing University. Many of our commercial activities are delivered and supported through our trading subsidiaries: Coventry University Enterprises and Coventry University Services. We have other subsidiaries around the UK that offer educational and business support services.
Teaching & Learning
We aim to deliver a teaching and learning experience that encourages, inspires and develops our students into graduates who are globally employable.
Our students benefit from state-of-the-art equipment and facilities in all academic disciplines, including Europe’s largest academic trading floors, mock courtrooms, hospital wards, design and engineering laboratories, performing arts studios and computing centres.
- 76% overall positive student satisfaction at Coventry University (National Student Survey 2021)
- 92% of our research was rated as ‘world-leading’, ‘internationally excellent’ or ‘recognised internationally’ (REF 2014 – assessed every seven years)
We’ve also been awarded an overall QS Stars rating of 5 stars and have scored top marks in the following areas:
- 5 stars for teaching (including 100% for teaching satisfaction)
- 5 stars for employability (including 100% graduate employment rate)
- 5 stars for facilities
- 5 stars for internationalisation
- 5 stars for inclusiveness
- 5 stars for online learning
Student Experience
We are continually evolving to give our students the best opportunities and experiences.
As a global University that ranks strongly in national and worldwide league tables – as well as for positive feedback from our students – we’re aiming to set ourselves apart as the university of choice for a great experience while studying.
- Awarded University of the Year for Student Experience (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019)
- We were the country’s highest ranking university for seven consecutive years (Guardian University Guide 2013-2019)
- Coventry University is ranked 38th in the UK (Guardian University Guide 2022)
- 97% of our graduates were employed or in further study six months after graduation (DLHE Survey, UG UK, 2016/17, published 2018)
- 1st for overseas student experiences 4 years running (based on student trips abroad from HESA 2014/15 – 2017/18 UK data)
- 76% overall positive student satisfaction at Coventry University (National Student Survey 2021)
The City
Conveniently situated in the centre of Coventry, the university enjoys excellent public transport links and close proximity to major road networks – London is just over one hour by train and the city is easily connected to the surrounding countryside of Warwickshire. Easy commuting to Coventry means that you will have a wide choice of areas to consider living if you need to relocate to join our team – whether in the city itself, its many multicultural suburbs, thriving regional towns and villages located in the beautiful surrounding countryside.
The International Centre for Transformational Entrepreneurship (ICTE) is a unique institution which supports sustainable socio-economic transformation through systemic approaches to entrepreneurship in communities nationally and internationally.
Our research supports economic development and policy impact through project engagement and consultancy. Education is at the heart of economic transformation and entrepreneurial education supports socio-economic growth, enhances social capital and reduces inequality.
The following values support the implementation of the aim of ICTE; namely:
- Global and local thinking: The focus will be on developing ideas that address global phenomena without neglecting local challenges. In order to achieve on this value, a network of international experts will be organised to excel on research activities.
- Sustainability: To ensure a healthy and equal society meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future are essential.
- Relevance and impact: Activities will prove relevance and impact to specific communities.
- Entrepreneurialism: To forge the next generation of great business thinkers and doers nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit is essential – building capacity and capability through research-led educational programmes and relevant research that can be embraced by others will be key.
- Innovation: The focus will be on pushing barriers and breaking new ground (level 2 innovations), to drive forward fresh ways of doing business for the 21st century.
For more information on ICTEs vision and Transformational Entrepreneurship please see our establishing position paper.
Executive Director International Centre for Transformational Entrepreneurship
JOB DESCRIPTION
Purpose
To provide strategic direction, leadership and management of the International Centre for Transformational Entrepreneurship (ICTE). In particular, the Executive Director will manage and direct the delivery of ICTEs strategic and operational plans ensuring that targets are met.
Main duties and responsibilities
- Manage and direct the future development and delivery of ICTE, ensuring that income and performance targets and contractual obligations are met.
- Implement the Reward and Performance Strategy for staff in ICTE, making appropriate arrangements for staff appraisals and the identification of development needs.
- Participate in, and when appropriate chair, the process for appointments of staff in ICTE.
- Plan and manage the resources available to ICTE, monitoring progress in all aspects of work, and preparing and presenting management information in line with University procedures.
- Foster and develop fruitful relationships and partnerships with relevant public, private and voluntary sector funding, research, practice, academic, and corporate organisations locally, nationally and internationally.
- Ensure that ICTE develops a prominent academic, professional and public profile and attains a distinctive and positive global reputation.
- Develop and deliver ICTEs business/marketing plan, to achieve significant national and international academic profile for ICTEs services and expertise.
- Provide a leadership style which promotes interdisciplinarity, encourages open communication at all levels, and co-ordinates activities across the full range of ICTEs work.
- Ensure that ICTE retains the capacity and capability to achieve its objectives by means of effective recruitment, performance and retention of staff and that staff are valued, supported and inspired.
- Provide leadership in delivering ICTEs research and teaching objectives and developing collaborative and supportive relationships with all relevant staff across the University.
- Undertake, as appropriate to the demands of the post, research, teaching, scholarly activity and the supervision of research students.
- Represent ICTE and University, as appropriate, on external committees, boards, and at other relevant meetings both nationally and internationally.
There may be other duties that are within the scope and spirit of the job purpose, the title of the post and its grading.
Supervision Received
- Academic Dean FBL
Supervision Given
- Director of Education, ICTE.
- Director of Research, ICTE.
- All ICTE staff.
Contacts
- Staff at all levels throughout the University.
- Staff of partner organisations and funding bodies.
- External organisations locally, nationally and internationally.
- European Union and local/regional/national government bodies in the UK and internationally.
- Faculties, Departments and Centres within the University.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Education / Qualifications
Essential:
- PhD in a relevant discipline or equivalent academic standing.
Experience
Essential:
- Track record of leadership of interdisciplinary research teams and of working across organisational boundaries.
- Track record of successful management and leadership of a Department or Centre including responsibility for managing staff recruitment, performance and retention.
- Track record of securing substantial income generation and external funding.
- Track record of partnership working at a senior level.
- Significant experience of business planning and budgetary management.
- Knowledge of sources of funding and grants.
- Experience of working with international partners.
- Representation on relevant international and national committees, boards or networks.
Advantageous:
- Experience of working with voluntary and non-governmental organisations.
- Experience of working with elected politicians
Research/Publications
Essential:
- International reputation and track record in a relevant field.
- Substantial record of research and publication.
- Demonstrable track record as a principal investigator on large cross-national projects.
- A record of successful student completions at PhD level.
Advantageous:
- Seeking to submit to the next REF in a relevant field and level of submission comparable with Coventry University criteria.
Job-related skills and aptitudes
Essential:
- Excellent research skills.
- Excellent staff management skills.
- Sophisticated awareness of changing political and policy contexts in relevant fields.
- ICT literate.
- Excellent self-management skills and the ability to meet deadlines.
- Strategic leadership and management skills.
Interpersonal skills
Essential:
- Excellent networking and liaison skills.
- Excellent team working skills.
- High level of oral and written communication and presentational skills for a range of audiences.
- Ability to articulate information and influence others.
Other
Essential:
- Commitment to promoting the values that underpin the Centre’s activities.
- Commitment to valuing, developing and motivating staff.
- A willingness to work outside standard hours and to travel nationally and internationally.
The salary will be agreed with the successful candidate depending on experience.
We offer benefits including pension schemes, generous holiday allowances, flexible working, a childcare vouchers scheme, training, personal and professional development and discounted membership to the university’s bespoke £4m sport and recreation centre.
In addition, we have a number of lifestyle benefits, such as our cycle to work scheme and our Coventry University car share scheme, all designed to support your career, wellbeing and the environment. The university is also primarily based in the centre of Coventry, allowing great access to the road and rail networks.
A summary of our benefits can be found by clicking here.
Anderson Quigley is acting as an advisor to the University, an executive search process is being carried out by Anderson Quigley in addition to the public advertisement.
The closing date for applications is noon on Friday 20 June 2022.
Applications should consist of:
- A full CV.
- A covering letter (maximum of three pages) outlining how you meet the experience criteria of the person specification.
- Please include details of two referees in either your CV or covering letter, 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 opportunities monitoring form.
Completed applications should be uploaded at www.andersonquigley.com/candidates using the reference number AQ1477.
Should you wish to discuss the role in strict confidence, please contact Sam Bryan-Ross on +44(0)7510 384 713 or samantha@andersonquigley.com, or Ed Pritchard on +44(0)7980 817 927 or ed@andersonquigley.com.
Timetable
All dates are to be confirmed
| Closing date: | Noon on Friday 20 June 2022 |
| Longlisting: | w/c 27 June |
| Preliminary Interviews with AQ: | w/c 4 July |
| Shortlisting: | w/c 11 July |
| Final Panel Interviews: | To follow |
