Director of Division – Law, Society & Social Justice
University of Kent

The University of Kent is characterised by a distinctive combination of excellence in research, teaching and the student experience, and with a uniquely international perspective.  The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 has confirmed Kent as a leading research university and the University has also risen 11 places to 38 in the Times Higher Education’s (THE) ranking for overall research quality in the REF.  As well as its core campuses in Canterbury and Medway, the University led the sector in developing several European centres, which are now well-developed and thriving.  It has around 20,000 students and 6,000 staff.

We are undergoing a period of change to raise our profile and deliver our ambitious Kent 2025 strategy and are building on our world-class reputation in education and research to become a leading civic university, supported by progressive programmes that place us at the heart of public and intellectual life.

We are looking for a new Director of Division of Law, Society and Social Justice (LSSJ) to consolidate, grow, and develop the Division. LSSJ is a large, diverse, multidisciplinary division with a shared ambition to make a difference and strives to engage critically with social justice practices and projects at home and around the world, to interrogate how we can make society work better for all and to tell powerful stories.  Our teaching and research activities are located across three University sites: Canterbury, Medway, and Brussels.

The Director of Division will be a member of the University’s Executive Group and play a key role in developing and delivering our strategy. This is a very important appointment that will play a pivotal part in developing the University for the future.  Ideal candidates will be engaging and consensus-building leaders with a focus on delivery and a strong understanding of the actions needed to ensure that the University continues to thrive.  They will be academics in a field relevant to the Division, and ideally of be of Professorial standing.

They will demonstrate the ability to think strategically and bring to the role a track record of academic management and leadership.    The ability to build a strong team and work collaboratively with professional services is essential, as is fostering a strong culture of student engagement, research and teaching excellence and an ethos that seeks to actively engage with external partners.  

We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented at this level in this area.

This is a time of great opportunity for Kent and is a distinctive and attractive place to work.

For more information including how to apply, please visit www.minervasearch.com/kent

The deadline for applications is Monday 24 October 2022 and should be sent to: kent@minervasearch.com