Kingston University

Head of the School of Law, Social and Behavioural Sciences

Competitive salary

London

At Kingston University, we believe in the power of higher education to transform lives, in learning through doing, and in opening higher education to the whole community. We received the 2017 Guardian University Award for Teaching Excellence in recognition of the inclusivity of our courses and we have risen to 40 overall in the 2021 Guardian University Guide league tables.

The Faculty of Business and Social Sciences is seeking to appoint a Head of School for the School of Law, Social and Behavioural Sciences. The role provides an exciting opportunity for an ambitious and accomplished academic leader to provide the vision and direction for the School, playing an important role in achieving the strategic objectives of both the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences and wider University.

The successful candidate will be able to build on and enhance an excellent reputation for teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate taught and research levels, and to develop the strong research base in the School’s core disciplines even further.  You will join a faculty management group, led by the Dean, Associate Deans, Head of Kingston Business School, Head of Resources and Planning and business partners in Human Resources and Finance. You will manage four Heads of Department for Law, Economics, Psychology, Criminology, Sociology and Politics and School Directors of Learning and Teaching, and Research.  You will be a key member of a senior team in the School and Faculty that determines and implements policy and strategy for the Faculty and its component Schools within the University’s strategic plan and development priorities. 

With outstanding skills in leading, encouraging and motivating staff within a large and diverse School, the successful candidate will work closely with the senior staff group in the effective management of complex academic and financial structures, and in contributing to the creation and implementation of policy within a rapidly changing higher education environment. Working collaboratively with colleagues in Kingston Business School, you will develop excellent working relationships, leading and encouraging faculty staff and students to perform to the best of their ability.

The School has a rich offering in both the applied and theoretical social sciences and candidates should have a demonstrable and credible academic track record of research excellence and external engagement in one of the disciplines of the School or in an interdisciplinary area relevant to the post. The School contains undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Law, Economics, Psychology, Sociology and Criminology and Politics. Most of these are taught both as single subject and joint degrees.  The School has a very successful doctoral programme run in conjunction with the University’s Graduate School. Looking to the future, you will oversee continuous improvement activities and overall academic quality, as well as developing a modern and innovative learning experience for students.

You will be ambitious about what the School can contribute to its students and to society. With a substantial track record of academic leadership and change management within a law and social sciences context, you will have the integrity and ability to inspire people and to generate an ethos of opportunity for all. You will also have proven financial, resource, project management and planning skills, and hold a PhD in a relevant discipline.

For further details, including required qualifications, skills and experience for the role, please click on the Apply button.

Salary commensurate with experience

Kingston University is committed to equality and we value the diversity of our staff and students.

Closing date: 5th September