Appointment of the Chair and Associate Dean (Education)

University of Sheffield

Welcome

Our University Vision and Strategic Plan is to deliver life-enhancing research, innovation and education that not only transform the lives of our graduates, but shapes the world we live in. This Vision is underpinned by four equally important pillars: Research, Innovation, Education, and One University.

The University of Sheffield was founded more than a century ago through penny donations from the citizens of the city and region on a pledge to build a university ʻfor the peopleʼ.

Today, we continue to hold a profound belief in the public benefit of a first-class higher education and our community puts civic commitment at its heart. Our leading researchers focus on making a difference by finding solutions to some of the greatest challenges we face. From pioneering new treatments for life-threatening diseases and helping us to live healthier lives for longer, to solving the problem of feeding a world of 10 billion people and creating sustainable energy solutions to save our planet – the work we do matters.

Our education and research-led teaching gives students from across the globe the skills to make a positive impact on the world, and many of our graduates go on to become leaders in their fields. We celebrate the role that our international students, staff, partnerships and alumni play in positioning the University of Sheffield as a truly global voice.

Our innovation, including at our Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and Nuclear AMRC, drives economic growth and productivity, and attracts significant inward investment to our city and region. We have expanded our footprint, with AMRC facilities in north Wales and Lancashire, to support more businesses and communities across the north.

If you share our ambitions and drive to make a positive difference, we would be delighted to receive your application.

Professor Koen Lamberts
President and Vice Chancellor 

Overview

Are you interested in working for a top-ranked, triple-crown accredited (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA) Management School? We are seeking applications from ambitious, highly motivated and talented individuals who will be keen to play an active role in further enhancing the Management School’s international reputation for excellence and delivering our mission for positive societal impact, fostering socially responsible management practices through world-class, innovative research and transformative education.

We are seeking a proven academic leader (Teaching & Research or Teaching Specialist Pathway) with a distinguished record of research and/or scholarship at a world-leading level to join us as Chair and Associate Dean (Education) and strategically lead the Education portfolio. You will work collaboratively with the Dean, Associate Deans, Head of Professional Services, and with wider Executive, L&T leadership and School teams to deliver our strategic ambitions. The successful candidate will be expected to fulfil the Associate Dean leadership role for a period of circa 5 years from appointment (with an underlying permanent Chair position), subject to renewal in consultation with the Dean.

As Associate Dean (Education), you will lead on the further development and delivery of the School’s ambitious strategic plan for Education, ensuring the delivery of excellent, research-led, transformative learning and teaching and student experience aligned with our mission, vision and values. This will reflect the needs of our diverse student population, programme portfolio and differing study environments, and drive forward our strategic priorities, initiatives and innovations around our strategic pillars of high-quality learning and teaching, employability and digital learning. You will have a commitment to continuous improvement and foster close synergies between research and the design, curriculum and delivery of education.

You will lead and oversee all strategic aspects of the student journey, working with academic and professional services colleagues across the School, Faculty and wider University to ensure that our Education governance fulfils statutory and University requirements and our provision meets quality assurance and accreditation requirements, including Triple-crown (EQUIS, AACSB, AMBA) and professional bodies. You will ensure equity and fairness in all processes across student recruitment, curriculum delivery and assessment. You will have a global outlook, represent and advocate for the School and engage closely with our external partners nationally and internationally – including our employers, alumni, advisory board, professional and accrediting bodies and academic partners – to ensure the relevance and impact of our education for students, organisations and wider society in a changing world.

We invite applications from ambitious candidates with a proven track record of strategic leadership to drive innovation and continuous improvement in Education. You will be an excellent, internationally-recognised scholar (research and teaching, or teaching specialist pathway) with a profile commensurate with a Chair appointment (in any area of Management aligned with the School’s research centre/clusters and thematic areas research centre/clusters and thematic areas.)

You will be required to exercise leadership, demonstrate vision, and empower others in order to deliver an ambitious Education strategy for the School strategy, aligned with wider Faculty of Social Sciences and University priorities.

You will be required to support the Dean to lead, manage and develop the School to ensure it achieves the highest possible standards of excellence in all its activities. You will be supported by the Faculty Vice President, and by colleagues from within the School, Faculty, and Professional Services.

About the University of Sheffield

To find out what makes the University of Sheffield a remarkable place to work, watch this short film: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LblLk18zmo

The University of Sheffield is a leading global university renowned for the excellence, impact and distinctiveness of its research-led learning and teaching across a wide range of disciplines. We continue to be recognised for our outstanding teaching and research and are ranked 75th in the word in the QS World University Rankings.

We are home to 29,000 of the brightest students and over 8,000 staff from more than 140 countries around the world. We want Sheffield to be an international centre of excellence for centuries to come, so we recruit ambitious, creative people from across the globe and we nurture their talent. We are the only university to feature in The Sunday Times 100 Best Not-For-Profit Organisations to Work For 2018.

Sheffield has six Nobel Prize winners among former staff and students and our alumni go on to hold positions of great responsibility and influence all over the world, making significant contributions in their chosen fields.

We work with other leading universities, governments and multinational companies to tackle the biggest challenges facing the world today, from sustainable energy and food production to the global economy.

Our partnerships with companies, including Boeing, Rolls-Royce, Siemens and McLaren, set a new standard for industrial research. Our Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) has a global reputation for helping companies overcome manufacturing problems and is a model for collaborative research involving universities, academics and industry worldwide.

Our global reputation is reflected by our impressive student recruitment. We continue to attract strong numbers of high-performing, ambitious students from all over the world.

With our award-winning Students’ Union, we share a common purpose to provide our students with the best possible experience. The level of collaboration here is clearly built on a foundation of mutual appreciation and respect and I am immensely proud of the work we do in partnership.

Our world-leading research has a real impact on our economy and society and helps enrich our teaching. We are among the top 10% of UK universities for our research strength and 99% of our research is assessed as internationally recognised or better. Our new flagship interdisciplinary University of Sheffield Research Institutes will help address some of our most pressing global social, economic and health challenges. They build on some of our acknowledged areas of research excellence and will bring together people from across all our faculties to maximise our existing strengths and support new ambitions.

The University’s role in supporting growth in the Sheffield City Region is clear for all to see. In the last year, we have continued to support our partners Boeing and McLaren as they build factories next to our AMRC. Our University is truly proud that our research partnerships have attracted this level of investment from high-value global companies and hope these new facilities will act as a catalyst for further investment in our region.

It is a privilege to lead an institution and work with colleagues committed to academic excellence and making a real difference to lives across the world.

For more information, follow @sheffielduni and @ShefUniJobs on Twitter.

Our Vision and Strategic Plan

The University of Sheffield is special. A world class institution at the heart of our city. Driven by outstanding people working as One University. We believe our work has the power to change lives. Not just for those who study, teach and do research here. But for those who benefit from the breakthroughs we make every day. Weʼre proud of our past. Yet it is the future that really excites us. We are the University of Sheffield. And this is our vision.

Find out more about our Vision and Strategic Plan.

Our Four Pillars

Through our 4 pillars of Research, Innovation, Education and One University, we will deliver life-enhancing research, innovation and education that not only transforms the lives of our graduates but shapes the world we live in.

Research
Our distinctive and innovative research will be world-leading and world- changing. We will produce the highest quality research to drive intellectual advances and address global challenges.

Innovation
Our transformative research and enterprise will address the worldʼs most pressing challenges. We will enable and promote a culture of excellence in innovation and entrepreneurship across the University.

Education
Our research-led programmes will inspire, enthuse and challenge a diverse community of outstanding students. Our graduates will be equipped to stand out as confident global citizens guided by strong values, ethics and standards, able to make meaningful contributions to society.

One University
We will build a diverse community of staff and students from a broad range of backgrounds, demographics and cultures, and create an inclusive, supportive and collaborative environment in which they can succeed and flourish.

Our Story

115 years in the making, our story continues to evolve every day, defined not just by our achievements but by the unique character of our people and this remarkable city.

Our Values

We believe the best way to achieve our Vision and Strategic Plan is by fostering an ambitious, inclusive, collaborative community through our values.

We are, and will always be, guided by our values:
We are ambitious and strive for excellence in all that we do. We believe in collaborative working. We champion an inclusive and diverse community. We are responsible – for our people and the wider world.
We are open and transparent about the decisions we make.

About the Sheffield University Management School

Our Mission

Our mission is to have a positive impact on working lives, organisations and societies worldwide, fostering socially responsible management practices through world-class, innovative research and transformative education.

Our Vision

Our vision as an internationally leading management school is to deliver excellence in research and education that promotes positive societal transformation for a fairer, sustainable future.

Sheffield University Management School is a vibrant, internationally diverse community of over 250 academic and professional services colleagues. As a Russell Group School, our world-class research and ambition is at the heart of our endeavours, driving excellent, transformative education and positive societal impact. Through the distinctiveness of our graduates, excellence of our staff, intellectually rigorous research and extensive network of partners, we seek to shape socially responsible management practice and to make a difference to our communities around the world.

We are among the global elite of business and management schools worldwide to hold Triple Crown accreditation from AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS, testament to our commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in education, research, student experience and engagement with our external partners, organisations, business and policy makers.

We are home to over 3400 students, studying across the range of our exciting programmes at  undergraduate, postgraduate, MBA and PhD level. Our professional programme-level accreditations and dedicated employability hub prepare students for the changing world of work. Our students come from across the world and enjoy a global learning experience that fosters an international outlook.  Close synergy between our research and teaching underpins our distinctive, transformative education that positively impacts our students, organisations and wider society.

Our six subject groups provide vibrant, collegial intellectual environments to deliver excellence in research and education. Our thriving, ambitious research centres and clusters drive our world-class research and impact, promoting socially responsible work practices towards positive societal transformation and sustainable policy outcomes. We address local, national and global challenges, foster interdisciplinarity and extensive national and international collaborations with partners, organisations, policymakers and practitioners . Our vibrant, enabling and inclusive research environment advances cutting-edge knowledge around contemporary challenges towards a fairer, sustainable future.

Management School scholars make significant contributions to collaborative, interdisciplinary research agendas addressing global societal challenges within the thriving Faculty of Social Sciences and wider University communities.

The role

Chair and Associate Dean (Education) (AQ1613)

Apply now

JOB DESCRIPTION

The University of Sheffield has an established Academic Career Pathway, which is built upon our shared understanding of what it means to be an academic in an ambitious, research intensive institution like the University of Sheffield. As a Chair (Teaching & Research or Teaching Specialist Pathway) you will contribute in the areas of research, teaching, leadership, professional standing and wider engagement.

Main duties and responsibilities

As Associate Dean (Education)

Note: Associate Deans are not expected to carry a teaching load during their term as AD, but will ensure a global outlook across our educational and student experience provision, working collaboratively with the SLT and external partners? .

  • Lead, with the Dean and members of the School Leadership Team, on the development and delivery of the School’s overall strategic plan, driven by our Mission, Vision and Values and in harmony with the pillars of the University Strategic framework.
  • Lead on the further development and delivery of the School’s ambitious strategic plan for Education, ensuring excellent, research-led, socially responsible learning and teaching and student experience and reflecting the needs of our diverse students, programme portfolio and differing study environments.
  • Drive forward our strategic priorities and associated initiatives around the key pillars of high-quality learning and teaching, employability and digital.
  • Prioritise and foster continuous improvement in Education, aligned with the requirements of international ‘triple-crown’ accrediting bodies (EQUIS, AACSB, AMBA) and working with the SLT to ensure successful re-accreditations.
  • Be accountable for the development and delivery of the programme level accreditations through the relevant educational areas.
  • Lead on a strategic portfolio review of the School’s educational programmes, working collaboratively with School and wider University teams.
  • Collaborate with Dean and Associate Deans to ensure a global outlook in Education and our graduates, fostering an internationalised education and student experience, through curriculum, student mobility, collaboration with partners, alumni and advisory board.
  • Represent the interests of the School at Faculty and Institutional level, contributing to institutional and Faculty educational strategy and participating on relevant working groups for the enhancement of the School’s education offering and wider activities.
  • Chair the School Education Oversight Group and its activities, including AOL, Teaching Excellence and competence, student experience, curriculum and pedagogical design, scholarly research and employability.
  • Lead and oversee all strategic aspects of the student journey working with others to establish and ensure equity and fairness in all processes that reflect the portfolios eg. recruitment, curriculum development, assessment, quality assurance, governance mechanisms.
  • Provide leadership and direction to academic colleagues with education focused leadership roles.
  • Oversee the performance and governance of the educational areas to ensure compliance to agreed standards both internal and external including accreditations and other statutory requirements.
  • Manage, improve and oversee the compliance of educational quality assurance policies and practices for the Management School, including adherence to University guidance.
  • Lead on the resources required to underpin innovations, curriculums and technological advancements.
  • Lead on the development of teaching competence in line with strategic initiatives and curriculum development working with Heads of Subjects and Directors of UG/PG.
  • Lead on all student related strategies pertaining to key student measures, including NSS, PTSS, TEF, AOL (employability strategy; student experience, voice and engagement).
  • Contribute to the collective design of the resource and capacity planning using the WAF Framework to ensure appropriate resources and staff time are allocated appropriately, consistently, equitably and fairly to support the teaching activities in the UG/PG portfolio and wider staffing strategy.
  • Liaise with the Finance and Operations Manager to agree appropriate non-staff budgets aligned with strategic needs of the education portfolio.

As a member of the professoriate and in line with the underlying Chair appointment once the leadership role concludes:

  • Contribute fully to Sheffield University Management School as a teacher, researcher, leader and collaborator.
  • Demonstrate high-quality teaching practice by leading on the design, delivery and assessment and evaluation of high-quality research-led teaching programmes to enable effective learning. This includes identifying learning objectives, selecting appropriate curricula, teaching methods, and resources, and determining, designing and producing appropriate study material. You will also prepare and implement student assessments, ensuring effective moderation and timely feedback.
  • Provide high-quality student support through personal tutor/pastoral responsibilities for undergraduate and postgraduate students, directing them, as required, to University support services appropriate to their needs.
  • Supervise undergraduate and postgraduate projects.
  • Enhance curriculum in the Department, including reviewing and developing new programmes of study that are accessible, inclusive, attracting new students and markets and contributing to the University’s Learning and Teaching Strategy. This includes reviewing and updating current provision and teaching techniques, ensuring compliance with quality and accreditation standards and effective links with external organisations.
  • Plan teaching up to one year ahead unless there are significant teaching programme changes or new courses then plan for up to two years ahead of their introduction.
  • Demonstrate a strong commitment to continuing professional development in teaching by developing and implementing ideas for improving teaching design, delivery and assessment, in order to build pedagogic knowledge and demonstrate impact.
  • Liaise effectively with academic staff, other colleagues and external stakeholders to ensure taught programmes are appropriate and relevant to the needs of both students and employers.
  • Share and promote good practice in teaching within the School and Faculty.
  • Establish, lead and sustain excellence in research (pedagogic scholarship or a management research discipline aligned with the School’s mission and areas of strength), with a commitment to synergies with teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
  • Conduct personal research of international standing, independently and collaboratively, in line with the Faculty Research Strategy.
  • Maintain a strong academic and professional profile through national and international engagement, high quality publications.
  • Determine research objectives, and initiate and implement a strong programme of research, leading to visible academic and non-academic impact.
  • Direct and supervise the work of research students and research staff.
  • Lead and participate in applications to secure external funding to support high-quality and ambitious research activity.
  • Provide strong academic leadership, including line management and staff development as appropriate.
  • Provide leadership in developing a strong research or scholarship portfolio.
  • Participate in University, School and Faculty committees as appropriate.
  • Foster high quality links with academic colleagues in relevant disciplines across the University, with other academic institutions and with industry.
  • Plan and prioritise own work, and forward plan up to five years for some tasks.
  • You will be a role model and champion for the values and behaviours of the ‘Sheffield Academic’ and promote its integration into the life of the University.
  • As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, ,including embedding the University strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
  • Any other duties, commensurate with the grade of the post.

 

PERSON SPECIFICATION

You should provide evidence in your application that you meet the following criteria. We will use a range of selection methods to measure your abilities in these areas including reviewing your online application, seeking references, inviting shortlisted candidates to interview and other forms of assessment action relevant to the post.

The University of Sheffield is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, we commit to recruit and retain disabled applicants and support positive action. We encourage disabled people to apply for our jobs and to have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities at the interview stage. We commit to offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job. For further information on the Disability Confident Scheme, please follow the link.

Criteria

All of the following are essential unless otherwise noted.

  1. Have PhD in a relevant subject area.
  2. Have a proven, excellent track record in high quality research and/ or scholarship, at a professorial level (evidenced through publication; income generation; knowledge exchange, engagement and impact activity; external networks nationally and internationally; and other indicators of esteem).
  3. Have a proven track record of delivery in a strategic leadership role in a business or management school and be able to evidence an ability to lead change.
  4. Be ambitious, with the vision, drive and motivation to further develop, promote and deliver the Education strategy for the School which will enable it to achieve a further step-change in its performance and reputation.
  5. Possess highly-developed leadership skills.
  6. Knowledge of, and experience of playing a key role in meeting the standards and requirements of professional body and international accreditations (AMBA, AACSB, EQUIS).
  7. Proven ability to build and sustain high performing teams and to develop the capacity/performance of individual staff.
  8. Experience of designing, developing and delivering teaching programmes to ensure consistently high quality teaching, learning and student support.
  9. Demonstrable commitment to continuous improvement, with experience of critically reviewing and assessing existing teaching programmes with evidence of positive change/impact.
  10. Evidence of continual development of own teaching practice and that of others leading to improved delivery and outcomes.
  11. An understanding of and demonstrable commitment to promoting and embedding equality, diversity and inclusion principles and practices and demonstration of capacity to meet the educational needs of a diversity of learners.
  12. An understanding and experience of leading and delivering initiatives to enhance student employability in a national and international landscape. (Desirable)
  13. An understanding of the opportunities for digital innovation in education and experience of leading or delivering initiatives in digital education. (Desirable)
  14. Excellent understanding of the Higher Education regulatory and governance environment, with experience in leading strategic action plans in relation to key measures (e.g. NSS, TEF, KEF).
  15. Ability to mentor and motivate colleagues in developing their research or scholarship plans, curriculum innovation and teaching portfolios in line with the School and Faculty strategies, and contribute to their wider professional development and pastoral care.
  16. Show high levels of personal integrity and strong professional reputation.
  17. Considerable experience of working effectively both independently and collaboratively in research, leadership and teaching teams.
  18. Excellent communication, ambassadorial and diplomatic skills.
  19. Evidence of the ability to work to and meet deadlines, adapt to rapidly changing contexts and manage a number of competing demands.

Terms of appointment

Terms and conditions of employment

Will be those for Professorial staff.

Salary for this grade

Professorial Pay Scheme Band Structure which ranges £64,946 – £128,006 per annum.

In recognition of the significance of this role, an annual allowance will be paid each year that the person is in post through Academic Leaders Reward and contribution each year can also be considered through the Professorial Salary Review.

This Leadership post is fixed for circa 5 years.

This role has been identified as a full-time post, but we are committed to exploring flexible working opportunities with our staff which benefit both the individual and the University. Therefore, we would consider flexible delivery of the role subject to meeting the business needs of the post. If you wish to explore flexible working opportunities in relation to this post, we encourage you to call or email the departmental contact listed below.

If you join the University you will have access to a Total Reward Package that includes a competitive salary, a generous Pension Scheme and annual leave entitlement, as well as access to a range of learning and development courses to support your personal and professional development. You will have access to your own personalised portal where you can also access a comprehensive selection of benefits and offers to suit your changing lifestyle needs, for example financial wellbeing, travel options, shopping and cinema discounts.

The University is committed to tackling the global climate emergency. Our sustainability strategy forms an integral part of all we do. We strive to embed this in all areas of university life, from our students’ education, the globally impacting international research we contribute, to campus life.

We aim to empower staff to work sustainably by giving them the knowledge to make ethical decisions at work and home. Staff have the opportunity to be involved in impactful sustainability projects through the nationally recognised Green Impact scheme.

Staff have access to excellent green benefits including the cycle to work scheme with discounts and free secure bike storage, as well as many greener choices across campus.

If you have an interest in this area, the university will strive to passionately support you in these commitments. Check out  www.sheffield.ac.uk/sustainability for more information.

The University of Sheffield recognises the importance of creating a positive environment, whereby all staff feel able to talk openly and with trust about wellbeing and mental health.

Our Staff Wellbeing offer, encourages and supports staff to maintain their own positive health and wellbeing through a range of accessible, inclusive and supportive services and activities.

Our leadership development has been designed to ensure that our leaders have the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed by the University.

Inclusion at Sheffield is everyone’s responsibility. Our vision is to build a University community that actively attracts, engages and develops talented individuals from many different backgrounds.

We are proud of our award-winning equality, diversity and inclusion action, and we continue to work to create a fully inclusive environment where everyone can flourish.

To find out more about the benefits of working at the University, visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits.

Creating a remarkable place to work

We build teams of people from different heritages and lifestyles from across the world, whose talent and contributions complement each other to greatest effect. We believe diversity in all its forms delivers greater impact through research, teaching and student experience.

We are consistently ranked in the top 100 of the world’s universities, but there’s so much more to us than that. By joining the University, you will be joining award-winning teams and departments who are all working together to make the University of Sheffield a remarkable place to work.

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 25th May 2023.

Panel Interviews will take place on Monday 26th and Thursday 29th June.

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 your CV, 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 in strict confidence, please contact Elyse Turner-Pearce on +44 (0)7808 648 559, elyse@andersonquigley.com  or Kiersten Avery on +44 (0)7510 384 735 or  kiersten@andersonquigley.com.