Middlesex University London - Pro Vice-Chancellor Education and Student Experience & Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and Knowledge Exchange

Welcome

Thank you for expressing an interest in joining Middlesex University in one of two Pro Vice-Chancellor roles.

Middlesex is an ambitious global university with campuses in London, Dubai and Mauritius, where our students learn for life, and we are proud to be practical, forward-thinking and inclusive in everything we do. Our personalised and action-centred approach to learning and research is what sets us apart from other institutions, and our students gain crucial skills for life to stay ahead in an ever-changing world.

We are passionate about making high quality education accessible to all through flexibility in learning modes. We apply knowledge and skills to create impact through our distinctive practice-orientated education, research and engagement. We empower our students to shape their own lives and the world around them and support them to becoming distinctive graduates who have benefitted from work centred learning. Our teaching is technologically enhanced across all courses and is focused on influencing and impacting on local, national and global challenges.

We also believe that research should have a positive impact on the public realm, improving equality, diversity and inclusion in an authentic way and reaching disadvantaged or excluded groups. Our global research and knowledge exchange network works towards a brighter future for people around the world. Through our collaborative, creative and inclusive approach, we are helping to shape the changing global research landscape.

We are now seeking to appoint the Pro Vice-Chancellor Education and Student Experience and the Pro Vice-Chancellor Research & Knowledge Exchange. Both roles will report to me and will be members of the University Executive Team, tasked with delivering key elements of our Strategy 2031.

The Pro Vice-Chancellor Education and Student Experience is responsible for the development, implementation and monitoring of the University’s high-level strategy for education. The postholder has direct line management responsibility for Library and Student Support, Careers and Employability and the Centre for Academic Practice Enhancement (CAPE), will work collaboratively with the Academic Deans at the London campus and senior colleagues from the University’s overseas campuses, and will lead on the University’s relationship with the students’ union, MDXSU. The PVC Education and Student Experience will support the implementation of Strategy 2031 through collaborative working across internal and external networks and communities of practice.

The Pro Vice-Chancellor Research & Knowledge Exchange is responsible for the development, implementation and monitoring of the University’s strategies for research and knowledge exchange. The postholder has direct line management responsibility for senior staff in the Research and Knowledge Exchange Office (RKEO) and will work collaboratively with the Academic Deans at the London campus and senior colleagues from the University’s overseas campuses. The PVC Research & Knowledge Exchange will provide strategic leadership and be responsible for developing a positive and sustainable research, impact and knowledge exchange culture, and for increasing income, academic and public engagement.

Both post holders will be expected to uphold the values of the University and in particular to actively support equality, diversity and inclusion.

At a time of great change in our sector, these roles offer the opportunity for the successful candidates to make a major, lasting contribution the success of the University and all those it serves.

Our advising consultants at Anderson Quigley would be pleased to discuss the roles with you. Their details can be found on this website.

I do hope you will express an interest in joining us.

Professor Sean Wellington
Provost | Deputy Vice-Chancellor

About us

At Middlesex we bring ambitious minds from all over the world into one community and we help them towards their own unique success. We are confident of our role in an ever-changing world.

We are proud of our history, which goes back to the specialist London colleges and institutions that became a successful polytechnic and our elite modern university of today. This heritage has laid the foundations for who we are now – a global institution with an international outlook that works to make a positive difference to the world through our practical approach to teaching, cutting-edge research, and creative innovation.

At a time of significant change, agility has become normal for all universities. The strengths of the Middlesex culture which have enabled us to react effectively to the recent challenges are also the attributes that mean we will be able to adapt for the future.

Our legacy of innovation includes the UK’s first Business degree and professional doctorate, and our sector-leading work-based learning and transnational education. 145 years on from the opening of our founding institution, St Katherine’s College, we continue to take a distinctive approach to teaching with practice at the heart of everything we do. Our students experience education, research and the world of work side-by-side, and they develop the confidence and future-ready skills sought by top employers. For instance, teaching in our augmented reality midwifery, neonatal and anatomy equipment, and our cyber factory – the first in the UK – prepares our students to step into the workplace of the future.

With 165 nationalities on campus, studying and working here means getting to know people from different cultures and to understand different perspectives. This gives our people an edge and gives our campus a special energy.

The Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2022 ranked us as a top 2 university in the UK, top 3 for international outlook in the UK and top 7 for research in the UK. We welcome enterprising and mindful students, staff, professionals and businesses into our active, global network. We have overseas campuses in Dubai and Mauritius which use their educational and research outputs to effect personal and social change across the world, and our international reputation and global connections enhance our global community.

In our outlook, Middlesex reflects the determined and multicultural spirit of London. We take our commitment to our local London Borough of Barnet seriously, where we contribute £289 million annually through employment and reach into local businesses. As an institution we are seeking to improve equality, diversity and inclusion in an authentic way and reach disadvantaged or excluded groups, and our students and staff regularly volunteer their time, knowledge and skills to support community projects.

You can read more about the University here.

Our academic structure

The University’s academic provision is delivered by its four academic faculties. Furthers details of our Faculties can be found here.

Our executive team

The University Executive Team (UET) advises the Board of Governors on the strategic direction of the University and ensures delivery of the Institute’s mission and values. Each member individually carries out specific responsibilities determined by the Vice-Chancellor.

More information on our Executive Team can be found here.

Our strategy to 2031: Knowledge into action

Our strategy is focused on creating knowledge and putting it into action to develop fairer, healthier, more prosperous and sustainable societies,

Our vision is to transform outcomes for individuals, communities and organisations and to empower people to change their lives. Our learning community has practice at the heart of what we do across education, research and knowledge exchange, and engagement.

We work in partnership and bring people together to create solutions to complex problems.

The integrating themes of our strategy are:

Equity and improvements in health and wellbeing.
Inclusive socio-economic development and enriching lives through culture.
Sustainability of communities and the environment.

We have identified three shared priorities as pillars for strategic implementation to achieve our purpose by 2031:

Transforming learning.
Creating impact on global challenges.
Constructing a learning organisation and enquiring community.

The Middlesex approach to achieving our strategy is centred on:

Creative, collaborative and agile culture.
Local and global Communities of Practice.
Focusing through our Integrating themes.

You can read more about Strategy 2031 here.

Learning through doing

Our students learn through doing, making and through experience. They apply their advanced knowledge and skills to real-life and work-based problems that benefit society, the professions and business. Learning this way our students develop the skills, behaviours and attitudes that employers want.

We have industry and professional standard facilities throughout our campuses. That means our students learn in the best equipped labs, studios and workshops. Our hands-on approach to teaching gives our students the confidence they need to be innovative. This empowers them to make and create fantastic work.

Many of our students study in professional settings. They’re out in the workplace – on placements, projects and internships – gaining invaluable skills and putting them into practice.

Learning from research

Our staff bring their industry and professional expertise and their connections to the learning environment and their research. Our students engage with research to understand what’s happening at the cutting edge of industry and professional practice.

Learning throughout life

Our students receive an ‘education for life’ so they’re able to adapt to fast evolving industry and professional environments. Our graduates are active life-long learners with advanced knowledge and skills for jobs and business opportunities that don’t exist yet.

Learning through personalised support

Our approach is different for every individual student so that all students are supported to succeed. Undergraduate and foundation year students have a Personal Tutor for tailored support related to their course as well as one-to-one help with academic writing and numeracy if it’s needed. Our Student Learning Assistants and Graduate Academic Assistants provide support based on their own experiences of studying a subject.

Centre for Academic Practice Enhancement

We work with the Centre for Academic Practice Enhancement (CAPE) to develop excellent academic practice for our students. We do this through monitoring student retention and progression while also improving teaching through comprehensive development activities for staff.

Our research

Our global research and knowledge exchange network works towards a brighter future for people around the world. Through our collaborative, creative and inclusive approach, we are helping to shape the changing global research landscape.

Our research is aligned to three integrating themes to focus our work on a world that’s fairer, healthier and more sustainable.

Equity and Improvements in Health and Wellbeing.
Inclusive socio-economic development and enriching lives through culture.
Sustainability of communities and the environment

Our results in REF 2021 show that we have strong foundations on which to build as we make high quality, impactful research a shared priority for our community. Since REF 2014, our research has grown in overall quality of outputs and impact and in the range of subjects covered.

We achieved our results while balancing resources across all three areas of academic excellence – research and knowledge exchange, education and engagement.

Our global impact

100% of the work submitted for five disciplines had outstanding (4-star) or very considerable (3-star) impact, aligned to three strategic themes in our Strategy for 2031.

Equity and Improvements in Health and Wellbeing – Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience; Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism.
Sustainability of Communities and the Environment – Geography and Environmental Studies; Business and Management Studies.
Inclusive Socio-economic Development and Enriching Lives through Culture – Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory.

Our future outlook

As a community, our collaborative, creative and inclusive approach is helping to shape the future of research. We promote excellence in research and knowledge exchange by:

Designing for regional and global impact that addresses future challenges.
Working with national and international partners, global industry and public services.
Building research projects from the ground up, working inclusively and innovatively with communities.
Working as learning organisation in dialogue with partners, collaborators, sponsors and beneficiaries.

You can read more about our REF 2021 results here.

The role

Pro Vice Chancellor, Education and Student Experience (AQ1731)

Apply now

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Purpose

Our ambition, set out our Strategy 2031, is to implement a creative model of high-quality global education that makes a transformative difference to learners, inspiring and equipping them to shape a better world. The Pro Vice-Chancellor Education and Student Experience is responsible and accountable to the Provost | Deputy Vice-Chancellor for the development, implementation and monitoring of the University’s high-level strategies for education and student experience. The post-holder will also lead on the University’s relationship with the students’ union (MDXSU).

A member of the University Executive Team, the PVC Education and Student Experience has direct line management responsibility for Library and Student Support, Careers and Employability and the Centre for Academic Practice Enhancement (CAPE) and will work collaboratively with the Academic Deans at the London campus and senior colleagues from the University’s overseas campuses.

Working closely with the Provost | DVC, the PVC Education and Student Experience will support the implementation of Strategy 2031 through collaborative working across internal and external networks and communities of practice.

Ways of working

All members of the University Executive Team will make a strong personal contribution to a collaborative leadership approach and operate as a coach for the staff that report to them. University Leadership Board members will be expected to uphold and role-model our values and to work for the good of the community and to have a demonstrable commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Main duties and responsibilities

To work as a member of the University Executive Team, playing a central role in the further development, implementation and monitoring of the University’s strategic plan.
To lead the development, implementation and monitoring of the University’s global education and student experience strategies.
To develop, foster and promote a distinctive approach to global higher education that fosters symbiotic relationships between education, research, knowledge exchange and engagement, with a particular focus on the University’s Integrating Themes.
To lead the development, implementation and monitoring of the University’s global education and student experience strategies and their contribution and interrelationship with research and knowledge exchange.
To promote the culture of enhancing the student experience across all areas of the University, leading on the development and implementation of plans to enhance the student experience.
To lead the achievement of excellent academic outcomes for undergraduate and postgraduate taught students in terms of their progression, attainment, satisfaction
and employability such that the University meets or exceeds the educational key performance indicators set out in the strategic plan.
To support the development and adoption of innovative technology-enabled teaching and assessment to enhance the student learning experience and student outcomes, fostering connections and collaboration across the Middlesex Global Family.
To provide leadership and oversight of the University’s Access and Participation Plan, National Student Survey, Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey and submissions to the Teaching Excellence Framework, and to provide collaborative leadership to enhance the University’s outcomes in the surveys and evaluations.
To lead in the area of academic support, working in conjunction with the Academic Deans and relevant Professional Services, ensuring that all students receive appropriate, high quality academic support which enables them to maximise their learning and academic potential.
To provide leadership to the relevant Deputy Deans, co-ordinating the implementation of institutional strategy and policy at faculty level.
To lead, further develop and implement the University’s commitment to co-leadership with students in the management and development of its educational provision.
To develop and maintain a positive partnership with Middlesex University Students’ Union (MDXSU).
To support the development of infrastructure and resource plans to support high quality learning and teaching and student experience.
To lead, promote and support both the scholarship of learning and teaching and research into higher education pedagogy.
To lead the development of academic practice across the Middlesex Global Family, including oversight of pedagogic skills amongst academic staff and the adoption of new educational practices.
In collaboration with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Global Innovation and Impact, to support the development of academic partnerships that include any elements of educational provision.
To represent the University externally in relation to education issues, raising the profile and reputation of the University and influencing regional, national and international agendas on behalf of the University.
To provide academic leadership that promotes a culture of excellence and enterprise, line managing the Library and Student Support, Careers and Employability and the Centre for Academic Practice Enhancement (CAPE).
Contribute to the leadership of cross-University projects and initiatives as required by the Provost |DVC and appropriate to the role holder’s strengths and development.
Contributing as agreed with the Provost | DVC to teaching, practice and/or research.
Such other duties as may be reasonably required by the Provost | DVC.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

All of the following criteria are essential.

Qualification and achievements

Educated to Doctorate level in a relevant discipline.
Senior or Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and/or National Teaching Fellow.

Experience/knowledge

A distinguished academic record which gains and retains academic credibility within the University’s community, normally recognised through the conferment of professorial title.
A track record of successful academic leadership and management at a senior level in a higher education institution that includes a broad range of disciplines.
A track record of successfully initiating and implementing significant change in a complex organisation.
A strong commitment and demonstrable ability to establish positive, collaborative relationships with others to achieve strategic goals and an ability to lead and work effectively in teams.
A thorough knowledge and understanding of national and international agendas and policy developments relating to learning and teaching in higher education, and a demonstrable ability to develop and implement strategy within this context.
A demonstrable ability to develop and implement innovative approaches and/or projects that support the successful achievement of institutional strategic objectives, particularly in relation to education and student experience.
Experience of engaging with external bodies responsible for academic quality and standards, for example, OfS, QAA, Ofsted, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies.

Skills and attributes

Exceptional communication and negotiation skills, particularly the ability to persuade and inspire academic colleagues and members of professional services in order to achieve strategic objectives by working with and through others.
Experience of positive engagement with students and/or student representative bodies.
Excellent planning skills, allied to well-developed analytical and problem solving skills, and a track record of delivering on plans to achieve targeted goals.
Proven people and financial management skills.
The ability to lead and work constructively with staff who are line managed by others.
The ability to chair meetings effectively, to operate with a high level of professionalism and to lead by example.
The ability to engage and influence external organisations and policy agendas.
Strong empathy with the mission and values of Middlesex University and a track record of action in support of equality, diversity or inclusion.

Apply now

Pro Vice Chancellor, Research and Knowledge Exchange (AQ1733)

Apply now

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job purpose

A core element of our Strategy 2031 is to create new knowledge which we and others put into action to create impact on global challenges. The impact and significance of our research and knowledge exchange will be recognised globally as transforming professions and practices beyond the University. The Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and Knowledge Exchange is responsible and accountable to the Provost | Deputy Vice-Chancellor for the development, implementation, and monitoring of the University’s strategies for research and knowledge exchange.

A key member of the University Executive Team, the PVC RKE has direct line management responsibility for senior staff in the Research and Knowledge Exchange Office (RKEO) and will work collaboratively with the Academic Deans at the London campus and senior colleagues from the University’s overseas campuses.

Working closely with the Provost | DVC, the PVC RKE will provide strategic leadership and be responsible for developing a positive and sustainable research, impact, and knowledge exchange culture and for increasing income, academic and public engagement. The PVC RKE will also be accountable for enhancing the University’s positioning, reputation, and research performance and for engaging with and contributing to national and international research and knowledge exchange debates.

Ways of working

All members of the University Executive Team will make a strong personal contribution to a collaborative leadership approach and operate as a coach for the staff that report to them. University Executive Team members will be expected to uphold and role-model our values and to work for the good of the community and to have a demonstrable commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Main duties and responsibilities

To work as a member of the University Executive Team, playing a central role in the further development, implementation and monitoring of the University’s strategic plan and the University’s research and knowledge exchange delivery and its contribution and interrelationship with teaching.
To provide oversight and leadership of the University’s planning, preparation, and submissions to the Research Excellence Framework (REF) and Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) and other such national evaluation and reporting exercises as may be required.
To lead the development and growth of a sustainable research and knowledge exchange culture with a particular emphasis on the integration with teaching and the University’s Integrating Themes, growing capability and capacity, increasing, and diversifying income and enhancing the quality, scale, and impact of the University’s work.
To lead and oversee the University’s Doctoral provision, ensuring that the University is a centre of excellence for the development of professional and postgraduate research studies, for shaping post-doctoral careers and for supporting early career researchers.
To work with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Global Innovation and Impact to enhance the University’s external research and knowledge exchange profile, consolidate and increase its effectiveness.
To work with and provide leadership to the relevant Deputy Deans (RKE), co-ordinating the implementation of institutional policy and strategy at faculty level.
To be the University’s primary point of contact with research policy bodies, funders, and funding councils.
To position the University to respond effectively to emerging national and international initiatives, including the development and maintenance of strategic research partnerships and collaborations.
To develop, foster and promote a distinctive approach to global higher education that fosters symbiotic relationships between education, research, knowledge exchange and engagement, with a particular focus on the University’s Integrating Themes.
To oversee and support the development of infrastructure and resource plans to support high quality research and knowledge exchange.
To be responsible for and manage key governance processes for research and knowledge exchange, ensuring all relevant policies are in place and remain current and fit-for-purpose.
To represent the University externally in relation to research and knowledge exchange issues, raising the profile and reputation of the University and influencing regional, national, and international agendas on behalf of the University.
To provide academic leadership and instil an exemplary culture of excellence, enterprise and pro-active support within the Research and Knowledge Exchange Office (RKEO).
Contribute to the leadership of cross-University projects and initiatives as required by the Provost| DVC and appropriate to the role holder’s strengths and development.
Contributing as agreed with the Provost | DVC to teaching, practice and/or research.
Such other duties as may be reasonably required by the Provost | DVC.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

All of the following criteria are essential unless otherwise noted.

Qualifications and achievements

Educated to Doctorate level in a relevant discipline.
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. (Desirable)

Experience/knowledge

A distinguished academic record, including an internationally excellent research standing, which gains and retains academic credibility within the University’s community, normally recognised through the conferment of professorial title.
A track record of successful academic leadership and management at a senior level in a higher education institution that includes a broad range of disciplines.
Track record of successful leadership in developing a diverse, inclusive, and action-oriented research culture.
A strong commitment and demonstrable ability to establish positive, collaborative relationships with others to achieve strategic goals and an ability to lead and work effectively in teams.
A thorough knowledge and understanding of national and international agendas and policy developments relating to research and knowledge exchange, and a demonstrable ability to develop and implement strategy within this context.
A demonstrable ability to develop and implement innovative approaches and/or projects that support the successful achievement of institutional strategic objectives, particularly in relation to research and knowledge exchange.
Experience of engaging with external bodies, for example Research England, funding bodies and industry.

Skills and attributes

Exceptional communication and negotiation skills, particularly the ability to persuade and inspire academic colleagues and members of professional services in order to achieve strategic objectives by working with and through others.
Excellent planning skills, allied to well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills, and a track record of delivering on plans to achieve targeted goals.
Proven people and financial management skills.
The ability to lead and work constructively with staff who are line managed by others.
The ability to chair meetings effectively, to operate with a high level of professionalism and to lead by example.
The ability to engage and influence external organisations and policy agendas.
Strong empathy with the mission and values of Middlesex University and a track record of action in support of equity, equality, diversity, or inclusion.

Apply now

Terms of appointment

Competitive six figure salaries will be agreed with the successful candidates.

Annual leave is 35 days per annum. In addition, the University offers the usual 8 Public Holidays plus 7 University Days which are taken at Christmas.

The successful candidates will be eligible to join the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.

The University offers a wide range of additional benefits. Details can be found here.

How to apply

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 Monday 13th March 2023. Please apply using the ‘Apply’ button in the roles section above.

AQ Reference:

AQ1731 (Pro Vice-Chancellor Education and Student Experience)
AQ1733 (Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and Knowledge Exchange)

Applications should consist of:

A full CV.
A covering letter (maximum of two pages) outlining how you meet the essential 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.

Should you wish to discuss the role(s) in strict confidence, please contact Elliott Rae on +44 (0)7584 078 534, elliott@andersonquigley.com or Imogen Wilde on +44 (0)7864 652 633, imogen@andersonquigley.com.

Timetable

Closing date:	Monday 13th March 2023
Longlisting:	Monday 20th March 2023
Preliminary interviews:	late March/early April 2023
Shortlisting:	Monday 17th April 2023
Final interviews:	Early May 2023 dates TBC

Appointment of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Education and Student Experience & Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and Knowledge Exchange

Welcome

About us

The role

Pro Vice Chancellor, Education and Student Experience (AQ1731)

Pro Vice Chancellor, Research and Knowledge Exchange (AQ1733)

Terms of appointment

How to apply

Timetable