Appointment of the Director, Derby Business School and the Head of the Institute of Education

Dear applicant

Thank you for your interest in joining the University of Derby at this important stage in the University’s development. The University is now among the top 20 universities in the UK for teaching quality, and has risen six places overall in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide league table to joint 13th in the country for teaching quality; an excellent achievement and a reflection of our Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold Award. We are ranked 26^th in The Guardian’s University Guide for 2020, our highest ever position, and among the world’s top 250 modern universities in the Times Higher Education Young University rankings.

Derby is a university of first choice for students who want a caring, aspirational environment where they can equip themselves for the career they choose. In recent years, we have made significant investment in world class facilities, building on our reputation for student-focused real-world learning, in an increasingly competitive sector.

The University is part of a thriving multicultural region that is renowned for technology and innovation, and is home to a wide range of industries, with many global companies based here, including Rolls-Royce, Toyota and Bombardier. The University has a strong focus on supporting both our Global Companies and the large number of SME’s providing high economic impact within the City and beyond. Our region is an exciting place to live, work and learn, providing our staff with many opportunities to work collaboratively with external partners and our students with many opportunities to gain real world experience through placements and internships.

Our 2018-2030 Strategic Framework provides us with the foundations and direction on which to annually plan, perform and succeed in a changing and globally dynamic environment. At the heart of this Framework is a simple promise: Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have ambitious plans for both the Derby Business School and our Institute of Education, and both are vital to the future success of the University. You can read more about the University, our strategy, the Derby Business School and the Institute of Education on this website and our advising consultants at Anderson Quigley would be delighted to discuss the roles with you, in strict confidence.

I do hope you consider joining us and being part of our future success story.

Yours faithfully

The University of Derby is a modern, innovative education provider that achieved its university status in 1992. Teaching at the Derby site dates back to 1851, when it was a Diocesan Institution for training teachers, so the University has over 160 years of expertise in education.

The University of Derby Group includes Buxton & Leek College, which provides further education and university level courses; Derby Theatre, our very own established professional theatre; and Derbyshire Student Residences Limited, which offers accommodation for our students.

During the last five years we have invested over £150 million in facilities, designed to give students the very best possible learning environment. There is more investment planned and the University continues to develop teaching to be innovative, stimulating and engaging.

Recent investments in facilities include:

• £12 million STEM Centre, including facilities for mechanical testing, robotics and an anechoic chamber;
• State-of-the-art £10.8 million sports centre;
• Immersive Interactive Simulation Suite, the only one of its kind in a university outside London;
• Forensic Training Facility, with a dedicated crime scene house;
• Dedicated fashion and textiles facility at Chandos Pole Street;
• Industry-standard Bloomberg Financial Markets Lab.

Teaching and Learning

The University of Derby has been awarded Gold in the Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF). The University success in Teaching and Learning was also recognised at the 2018 Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards where the University won the prestigious Teaching and Learning Strategy of the Year Award. Derby was one of six institutions shortlisted for the category, designed to recognise ‘a teaching and learning strategy that is distinctive and innovative, has enhanced both the student and staff experience, and reflects an institution’s core values’.

Research with impact

Research is a fundamental part of our identity as an academic institution and the work we do has a real impact. We continue our drive towards becoming a research-focused institution and recent highlights include the establishment of a University Research and Knowledge Exchange Office, which supports and develops research activity across Colleges and departments to ensure a joined-up process and effective working, and the new University Professorial Council is helping us by providing more effective strategic research support. We also established an early career researcher forum to support those in the early stages of their career, by stimulating collaboration and acting as a catalyst for shared learning.

In 2014 we celebrated our best-ever REF results, with three quarters of our output judged to be at least ‘internationally significant’. Our research strategy seeks to build on this success in the next REF assessment in 2021 and the University has allocated over £2 million investment to support our Colleges with this.

Internationalisation

Our new International Strategy focuses on developing mutually beneficial collaborations and working closely with educational institutions and businesses around the world. In recent years we have seen a significant improvement in our international recruitment performance, and we have enhanced our in-country engagement and developed a range of initiatives to further internationalise the student experience at Derby. We also work with a range of international partners on business, teaching and research partnerships.

Equality, diversity, inclusion and wellbeing

Our University celebrates diversity and recognises the challenges of being human and the significance and impact of inclusion within an organisation. We are all different, with individual talents and needs. Our inclusive community of academics and professional service staff work hard to support and enable everyone to thrive and be the best version of themselves.

Across our academic and professional services, we promote an environment that challenges unconscious bias and discrimination at every level of the organisation.

We do this through:

• Student societies that represent different identities, through our Union of Students;
• Staff-led diversity and inclusion groups that encourage input and involvement from students;
• Events to mark regional, national and international days that celebrate and raise awareness of diversity;
• Challenging barriers to inclusion and influencing change throughout all university environments and life; and
• Developing an Allies and Role Models programme to demonstrate supportive visibility to all students and staff however they identify.

Why the University of Derby?

Challenging, interesting and constantly changing, the University of Derby is an extraordinary place to learn and an incredibly rewarding place to work.

A major employer in the region, passionate people join the University because:

Seriously ambitious

Recognised in the top twenty nationally for teaching quality and the number one university in the East Midlands for graduate employment, demand for places at the University of Derby has risen by nearly 20% in the last two years. It is a university of choice for learners, employers and partners.

You’ll have lots of opportunities to progress

If you work hard and perform well, the University of Derby offers a wealth of career progression opportunities and all the training and support you need to succeed.

You’ll get job satisfaction

Staff love the work they do and the impact they have on the lives of learners and the wider community.

Our recent staff survey reported that 93% of staff have good work relationships, 80% are proud to work at the University and 73% get a sense of personal accomplishment from their role.

You can make a difference

The University welcomes new ideas that improve what we do and the way we do it. Financially strong, the University is seriously ambitious so there are lots of opportunities for you to make an impact and be recognised for it.

Excellent facilities

You’ll benefit from discounted access to some of the best university facilities in the UK including a working theatre, multi-million pound sports centre and commercial day spa.

You can read more about the University at https://www.derby.ac.uk/

You can read our most recent Annual Review here https://www.derby.ac.uk/about/annual-review/

An applied university of today and for tomorrow

Our Strategic Framework provides us with the foundations and direction on which to annually plan, perform and succeed in a changing and globally dynamic environment.

At the heart of this is a simple promise:

Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have a long-standing reputation for teaching excellence of which we are extremely proud – now is the time to build further on this, through more focused and integrated applied research. Opportunities are a core element of our academic approach – not only in terms of delivering these, but through a culture of curiosity and drive instilled in our students and staff to seek and create their own. We are proud to be the only university in our city and county as this enriches our connectivity within the region but, as importantly, we relish the civic responsibilities this brings.

Our Purpose

From the heart of England, we empower people across the globe to achieve their potential and make a positive contribution to society.

Our Promise

Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, staff and region.

Our Principles

The University of Derby’s approach is underpinned by the following core principles:

Creating the right experience

1. We believe that higher education should be equitable, inclusive and open to all who have the ambition and desire to learn and progress.
2. We ensure, through our teaching and research, that our students learn the theory, have the opportunity to put this into practice and develop the right level of curiosity and behaviours employers are looking for.
3. We inspire self-confidence and personal awareness in our students of what they are capable of, while supporting them to achieve their best.
4. We believe that, while university is a place to achieve qualifications, true transformation comes from the experiences gained and the opportunities explored while doing so.

Working effectively

1. We have talented and motivated staff, who work in a high-performance culture that promotes well-being, diversity and opportunity for all, and are essential in providing the best possible student experience.
2. We develop systems, processes and ways of working which enable our staff to work efficiently and effectively, and ensure we are best placed to build partnerships, seize opportunities and deliver value for money.
3. We operate openly and with transparency in terms of our policies and investments, with decisions on these informed by timely data, insights and intelligence.
4. We empower our staff and students through the use of cutting-edge technology, and safe and secure facilities expertly designed to inspire them to achieve excellence.

Broader impact and profile

1. We understand and embrace our role in raising aspirations, improving skills and adding value to the lives of everyone in our region.
2. We take pride in the achievements of our staff and students, and unashamedly celebrate their successes across the University, the region and beyond.

Our Place

Derbyshire provides the perfect base for our thriving university. Situated in the heart of England and regarded as the home of the Industrial Revolution, it is a place where innovators and industrialists have made their mark on the world for over 300 years.

During this time, the region has built up a strong reputation for its ingenuity, practical application, industry, inventiveness and creativity – all traits well and truly embedded into the philosophy and approach of our university.

Derby today has flourished into a vibrant, modern city. Its industrial heart still beats strong, with thriving global businesses and successful SMEs operating side-by-side, creating fantastic opportunities for our students, our graduates and our local communities. Beyond that, its retail, cultural and sporting offer continues to grow, making it a hugely attractive place to live and study.

On our doorstep is the Peak District, which attracts 10 million visitors from across the globe each year. This is flanked by the towns of Buxton and Chesterfield, home to our university’s other two main sites.

With East Midlands Airport providing a global gateway and London only 90 minutes away by train, Derby’s national and international reach is befitting of a city with such a fine heritage.

Our People

We value people and are future-focused. We are bold and foster brilliance. Our culture is one in which diverse skills and experiences are valued. We are open-minded, with individuals given the space and support to develop and grow.

We work as a community, with a sense of purpose which translates itself into a single shared passion among all staff to provide the best possible experience for our students, partners and stakeholders.

We trust and support each other to deliver on our promises. We listen and act with integrity to build positive long lasting partnerships. We think big, and encourage our students, partners, city and region to do the same. We have passion, ambition and look for opportunities to stretch and challenge ourselves and others.

Our confident and adaptable approach to change means we work together to challenge, take the lead and set the pace. We are curious and optimistic and do not accept mediocrity.

Our Pillars

What we do and how we do it through to 2030 will be shaped by our Principles, against which all strategic and tactical decisions will be made to ensure Derby is best placed to succeed for its students, staff and region. This success will be achieved by:

Moulding the Next Generation of Game Changers

• Our students will benefit from a high quality learning environment, pioneering use of modern learning methods, access to diverse and exciting opportunities, and a continually evolving suite of services and support covering all aspects of their lives.
• They will study an industry-relevant and research-informed curriculum shaped in collaboration with partners across business and professions, and in line with global issues and government agendas. This is delivered through industry-connected and research-active academics able to share their experiences and build connections.
• Our students will therefore graduate with the skills, knowledge, experience and attributes which enable them to fulfil their ambitions and make a positive contribution to the world. They will set their aspirations high, think beyond the obvious, and have the ingenuity, curiosity and enterprise to succeed in their chosen career path.

Being a Force for Positive Impact

• As the only university in our city and county, we take seriously the responsibility we have to drive the economic, social, cultural, educational and environmental prosperity of our home.
• Working with others, and with the full commitment of our staff and students, we will raise aspirations and improve the education, skills, health and well-being of current and future generations across our region. We will play our part in positioning Derby as a key city on the national and international stage, with our academic reputation established as a core element of the ‘Derby story’.
• Our research, knowledge creation and innovation is focused on making a practical, positive difference to people’s lives – regionally, nationally and globally. We will further establish ourselves as the preferred partner of choice to provide solutions to social and industrial challenges by delivering academic expertise, knowledge and innovation, alongside students and graduates with the right “I can, and I will” attitude.

Opening Doors for Everyone

• We firmly believe in the transformational nature of education and, as a champion of social mobility, will strive to inspire and create opportunities for all across our region and beyond, regardless of age, background or location.
• Our ability to offer the broadest range of options from Apprenticeships to Foundation Years, and Short Courses to Postgraduate, means that at every stage of someone’s life or career, there are the tools, resources and opportunities on offer at the University of Derby from which they can benefit.
• Our renowned knowledge and innovation in online learning acts as the perfect platform for us to be a pioneer for education in the increasingly technologically driven world in which we live. Be it through online, face-to-face or blended teaching, Derby will be at the forefront of the flexible, integrated learning revolution aligned to the needs of learners now and in the future.
• Our global outlook will see more international students coming to our university and more opportunities for home students to travel overseas as part of their studies, further enriching their experience.

Our Values

A robust set of values has been a key factor in achieving the success we have enjoyed to date. How we approach our work and how we approach each other is as important as what we do to ensure we continue to build on our success.

Values people

• We enable people to achieve beyond their expectations, which attracts high-performing staff, students with a drive to succeed, and partners who are keen to benefit from our expertise.
• We share a collective endeavour to open minds, and encourage and inspire those who come into contact with us.
• We trust and support each other to deliver on our promises. We listen and act with integrity to build positive long-lasting partnerships.
• We are true ambassadors of our purpose and promises.

Bold

• We think big and make an impact.
• We have passion and ambition, and look for opportunities to stretch and challenge ourselves and others. We evolve through new learning and experiences, and are beacons of good practice.
• We are proud of what we do, make ourselves visible, and tell our story in a way that strengthens our global presence.
• We create a reputation where our innovation, skills and knowledge are relied upon by industry to fulfil their potential and ensure their future success.

Future Focused

• We are modern, seek out and embrace current thinking, and employ innovative practices.
• We have a confident and adaptable approach to change, working together to challenge, take the lead and set the pace.
• We have determination, knowledge and a positive attitude, keeping engaged in the world around us and staying ahead of the game.

Brilliance

• We’re curious, optimistic and strive for excellence.
• We create thriving communities where those around us are confident to share their views, celebrate success and are proud of the achievements we make.
• We create stimulating environments that transform the prospects of all who engage with us. We believe we all make a difference.

You can read our full Strategic Framework brochure here.

Derby Business School offers a wide range of undergraduate and post graduate subjects, in the discipline areas of Accounting, Business, Economics and Finance, Leadership, Logistics, Marketing and People Management and is home to around 2,300 students and 100 staff. From day one, our students are mixing with real business leaders, and our commitment to real-world learning is highlighted throughout their studies, with field trips, networking opportunities and work placements. Our students can also take advantage of the University’s ‘Go Places Go Further’ programme, and study abroad at partner institutions in countries such as Belgium, Finland, Germany and Spain.

Derby Business School is home to some of the University’s highest performing Programmes with Business, Management and Marketing ranked in the top 10 in the Guardian League Table 2020, while four of our Business programmes achieved 84% or above overall satisfaction in the NSS 2019. We have a reputation for industry-relevant degree programmes that offer unparalleled opportunities for students to gain professional work experience whilst they are studying. Our links with regional, national and international companies such as Rolls-Royce, NEXT, DHL, PwC, JCB and Boots, to name a few, mean our students are privileged to take up work placements and internships with these leading employers.

We generate, communicate and apply knowledge and insights for the direct benefit of our students, partners and community. Our researchers include dedicated research centre staff, PhD and professional doctorate researchers as well as visiting professors and fellows. The School has recently strengthened its research capacity with the appointments of seven new professors and several research-active academics across its disciplines. Research within the Business School is organised around two research centres:

• The Centre for Business Improvements led by Professor Carley Foster
• The Centre for Supply Chain Improvements led by Professor Jose Arturo-Reyes

In addition to these two Research Centres, the Business School supports two principal regional projects, the Enscite Project and the Low Carbon Network. These two projects have contributed immensely to the School’s submission plans to UoA17 of the forthcoming REF in terms of impact case studies, outputs and environment.

1. Enscite Project

Our Enterprise Unit is about commencing the Enscite 3 project. Enscite is a collaborative venture between the University of Derby, Aston University & Derby City Council, which is funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Regional Growth Fund (RGF). It has supported over 140 SMEs to commercialise innovation, develop new business opportunities and develop high performance within the aerospace, rail and automotive sector supply chains over the last two years. The Team has achieved stretching objectives by helping local businesses develop their business meaning over forty new local jobs have been created. At the same time, the team have created significant business for the University through KTPs, more students for the university via apprenticeships and other courses. This is in addition to the ERDF income which Enscite brings directly into the University.

• Income to UoD – £1.2m ERDF project delivered on time/budget, exceeding outputs. SMEs engaged – target 89, actual 95, FTE jobs created target 37, actual 42.8, New product/services to SME target 3, actual 4;
• Referred 3 KTPs opportunities, valued over £900,000;
• 2 further KTPs in the pipeline;
• Referred 3 Apprenticeship opportunities;
• Supported 3 international student visits, providing over of iHub and opportunities to meet with SMEs;
• Employed 6 postgraduates, giving them real-life experience working with SMEs. 2 opportunities leading to direct employment with SME, retaining UoD graduate skills in the region;
• 37 UoD academic staff actively engaged with enterprise activity through Enscite; and
• New collaborations e.g. Altran, SMMT, MAA.

We have successfully secured a further £1.4m income to BLSS for Enscite 3 over the next three years. The Enscite 3 aligns intentions to the Rail Sector Deal and the Industrial Strategy. Our focus for Enscite 3 will be on deeper interventions with individual SMEs through Knowledge Exchange for Innovation (KEIs) and specific work with clusters of business within and across supply chains.

1. Low Carbon Network

Aligned to this, we are currently in the final stage of our Low Carbon 2 ERDF bid worth £316,000. If successful, this will be our second successive Low Carbon project, which would likely commence at the close of 2019.

Our Low Carbon Business Network (LCBN) has transformed the business support landscape for local firms that support the shift towards a low carbon economy. Since securing £220,000 of ERDF funding in November 2016, we have built a solid reputation by:

• Growing a network of over 120 members; representing local, regional and national businesses;
• Providing tailored support to 33 SMEs through cutting edge workshops and 1:1 tailored support;
• Raising our visibility through a popular website, blogs and active social media;
• Developing strong partnerships with regional bodies, such as the Local Enterprise Partnership (D2N2 LEP), East Midlands Chamber of Commerce, local HEIs and councils;
• Being a key influencer on the regional Energy Strategy;
• Setting up Clean Growth consultation groups to inform the development of the Local Industrial Strategy and Smart Cities initiatives;
• Collaborating with UK and international academics to develop workshops and an online short-course;
• Securing £30,000 of research funding to explore the Skills Gaps in the Low Carbon sector; and
• Publishing several research papers and developed a REF Case Study on our work.

The University is in the process of building a multi-million pounds state-of-the-art Business School in the City – in front of our current School of Law and Social Sciences at Friar Gate Square. The new College of Business, Law and Social Sciences, situated in a single location, will give the College a powerful identity. A greater presence in the City Centre will enable the University to build more links with the business community in Derby, Midlands and nationally. Ultimately, this presence will generate more footfall for the College and the University.

Mission

The Institute of Education’s mission is to deliver transformational education that promotes free thinking, inspires excellence and innovation to enable individuals, groups, communities and organisations to realise their full potential and achieve their aspirations.

The University of Derby has been delivering education programmes for over 165 years. Our initial teacher training is rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.  But what makes us stand out from the crowd is our belief that real learning is about free thinking and the ability to understand the meaning of our experiences and to learn by them. We want our students to be able to make their own interpretations and not just accept the opinions of those who shout the loudest or have more influence. This leads us to become autonomous critical thinkers; people who can make a difference.

Academic Provision

With over 2500 students, the Institute’s portfolio of provision includes undergraduate and postgraduate academic and professional programmes from Level 3 (HE) up to and including Level 8 (Professional Doctorate & PhD). The portfolio also contains a growing number of apprenticeships.  The Institute also hosts the Derby English Language Centre which serves the whole University and delivers a range of English Language programmes as well as testing. This provision is delivered on campus and internationally.

The 2019 NSS results for the Institute’s programme were successful.  Three programmes secured an overall satisfaction of 90% or higher including one at 100%. There were also many positive results for programmes across the 25 areas of the NSS with four programmes receiving 90% or more for ‘Teaching on my Course’ and five programmes receiving 90% or more for ‘Learning Opportunities’; many other programmes saw improvements from 2017/18, demonstrating an upwards trajectory of NSS success.

Composed of around 80 academic and research staff, who come from a range of professional and academic backgrounds including Teachers, Head Teachers, Early Years Professionals, Psychologists, Health and Social Care Professionals, the Institute works with a significant number of School, FE and HE partners locally, nationally and internationally.

Research

Colleagues within the Institute engage with and deliver impactful research at a local, national and international level. The Institute will be submitting full return to UoA 23 in REF 2021.  The research specialisms include:

• Careers Education and Guidance
• Academic Freedom and Defence of the Subject
• Higher Education
• Special Educational Needs and Inclusion
• Technical and Vocational Education and Training
• Childhood
• Teacher Education and Evidence-Based Practice

College of Arts, Humanities & Education

The Institute is part of the College of Arts, Humanities and Education, the largest of the five academic Colleges within the University with over 5000 students and upwards of 200 staff.  Alongside the Institute sits the School of Arts and the School of Humanities & Journalism and thus combined the College offers a range undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and professional education across a broad range of subjects from education to the creative and performing arts to the traditional humanities and to creative and professional writing and publishing.  The College’s leitmotif is ‘education, employability and enrichment’.  Through our portfolio we aspire to produce graduates who are critical and constructive thinkers, civically and socially engaged and are industry- and workplace-ready.

The Head of the Institute’s will join the College’s senior leadership team responsible for the executive and strategic leadership of the College.  To view the organogram for the College of Arts, Humanities & Education which also includes detail on the organisational structure of the Institute, please click here.

The salary grade for both roles is Senior Management Family – Level C.

Additional benefits include:

• Private Medical Insurance
• Death in Service benefit (3 x salary)
• 30 days holiday with the option to purchase up to 5 additional days
• Eligibility for the Teachers’ Pension Scheme

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 the Director of the Derby Business School role in strict confidence, please contact our advising consultants at Anderson Quigley: Elliott Rae on +44(0)203 457 0948 or Carolyn Coates on +44(0)7825 871 944. For the Head of the Institute of Education role, please contact Elliott Rae on +44(0)203 457 0948 or Sophie Rees on +44(0)7719 313 982.

Applications should consist of:

• A full CV.
• A covering letter (maximum of 3 pages) setting out your interest in the role and details of how you match the person specification criteria.
• 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 an Equal Opportunity Monitoring Form below:
  • Director of the Derby Business School – AQ641
  • Head of the Institute of Education – AQ642

Completed applications should be uploaded at www.andersonquigley.com/candidates using the corresponding reference numbers above.