Job Title: Executive Dean (Health, Sport and Food) 
Salary  Competitive: (in the region of £85,000)
Contract Type: Full Time Permanent    06-07-2020 12 Midday 
Closing Date: 06-07-2020 12 Midday 
Support/Academic/Management: Management

UCB is seeking a dynamic and visionary Executive Dean (Health, Sport and Food). This is a newly created role, bringing together departments containing Education, Social Care and Community; Sport, Health and Nutrition; Culinary Arts and Bakery. These departments cover a range of disciplines in further and higher education. 

As Executive Dean you will be responsible for establishing and articulating the strategic direction of your school. With the support of your deputy deans, you will be responsible for ensuring that the curriculum is engaging and industry-focused, with high quality teaching, all contributing to an outstanding student experience. You will ensure that the school has strong external links, with a positive profile with employers, industry bodies and regulators. You will also contribute to institutional leadership through your membership of the Executive Management Team.

University College Birmingham provides a strong focus on student preparation for the job market through vocational education. We offer a diverse mix of further and higher education courses, including apprenticeships, ranging from level 2 to 7. This is underpinned by our established accreditation agreement with the University of Birmingham, who validate a range of our Higher Education portfolio.

We are aspirational, high-performing and teaching focussed with a clear vision aligned to continuous improvement, innovation, creativity, and high-quality student experience. Our financial performance is very strong and our investment in our estate has been realised by the opening of our new teaching campus in February 2020; the latest phase of a £130 million investment into the University since 2014.

You will be a credible senior leader with experience gained in the Further and/or Higher Education sectors, as well as a particular academic discipline. Our HE/FE split is 70/30. You have the ability to translate the University vision into outstanding teaching across all of the disciplines within your portfolio. We want to hear from candidates with strong curriculum leadership skills at a senior level, leading diverse teams to successful outcomes, strong collaborative working skills, the ability to drive and interpret strategy and lead by personal and professional example. 

In return, we can offer a fantastic working environment in an institution with big ambitions. As a member of the Executive Management Team you’ll get experience of strategic policy and decision-making across Further and Higher Education but will be expected to have a strong control of your curriculum operation on a daily basis. Our small size means that you can have a significant influence from day one. You’ll also get all of the usual great benefits of being a member of staff at UCB, including a competitive salary, generous annual leave, private health, generous contributory pension scheme and access to our fantastic campus facilities in the heart of Birmingham.

How do I Apply?

You will need to submit a written statement (maximum 4 sides) detailing your CV and a cover letter (maximum 2-sides) setting out specifically how you meet the requirements of the role. You should use font size 11pt. An informal telephone conversation can be arranged by appointment with Michael Harkin, Vice-Chancellor and Principal by emailing m.harkin@ucb.ac.uk 

Please submit your completed application to n.baker@ucb.ac.uk by no later than noon on 6 July 2020.  

Interviews are likely to held (potentially online in the first instance) on 13 July 2020.

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