Associate Dean
24042014
Job Title / Associate DeanFaculty/ School/Department
Responsible to: / Executive Dean
Responsible for:
Job Purpose
Provide leadership, strategic and operational management for the Faculty in relation to the agreed focus areas in the context of the University’s Strategic plan. Support the Executive Dean in achieving the Faculty’s agreed objectives.
Main activities and responsibilities
1. Make a valuable contribution to the leadership and management of the Faculty and help ensure that the Faculty Management Team creates a supportive, vibrant and engaging achievement oriented culture which facilitates timely and effective change.
2. Work with the Executive Dean and other Senior Managers in the Faculty to agree a strategic direction that is in line with the University’s Strategic Plan and create and revise the Faculty Development Plan to include the setting of achievement targets.
3. Work with the Executive Dean and other senior managers to monitor performance against targets and work with them to address under performance against those targets.
4. On behalf of the Faculty and the University, develop and sustain close relationships with employers, external agencies, key stakeholders and other providers and act as an effective ambassador for the University in a range of external settings ensuring that, at all times the University is portrayed positively and its reputation is enhanced.
5. Ensure effective two way communication throughout the Faculty in relation to relevant University and Faculty strategies, policies, procedures and projects ensuring staff, students and other stakeholders are consulted, listened to and well-informed.
6. Lead specific initiatives and projects within the Faculty as agreed with the Executive Dean and contribute to the strategic and operational development of the University through undertaking cross-University projects and initiatives identified by the Vice Chancellor’s Office or Executive Dean.
7. Represent the Faculty at relevant University Committees and meetings and take an active role in Faculty Committees and groups including chairing as appropriate.
8. Plan, monitor and manage any devolved budgets effectively.
9. Work closely with other senior managers in the Faculty to provide leadership, effective management and development for all staff including identifying opportunities for staff to be involved in cross-University and external projects, events and working groups.
10. Provide leadership and management to specific staff as defined by the role and any other staff as agreed with the Executive Dean, including the setting of objectives, performance management and review.
11. Liaise, co-operate, collaborate and communicate effectively with colleagues both within the Faculty and the wider University including central and professional service functions and to share good practice, innovate and improve performance to create a culture of continuous quality enhancement within the Faculty.
12. Provide academic leadership, ensuring high academic standards are achieved, and contribute to teaching, research, professional practice and/or third stream activity as appropriate.
13. Contribute to the recruitment and selection of staff within the Faculty and, as appropriate, elsewhere in the University.
14. Lead as appropriate on the implementation of University and Faculty policies, strategic decisions and compliance requirements including those related to quality review, audit recommendations, equality issues and health and safety.
15. Any other duties as appropriate to the role and agreed with the Executive Dean including Deputising for the Executive Dean as required.
Additional Key Requirements:
Managing people and resources
Lead and manage own projects with overall responsibility for the organising and deployment of resources within own areas of responsibility.
Undertake regular appraisal reviews of staff as appropriate, ensuring clear performance expectations and supporting personal development plans are agreed, as well as encouraging the continuous professional development of staff within area of responsibility.
Manage devolved budgets
Communication
Be routinely involved in complex and important negotiations internally and with external bodies
Teamwork and collaborative working
Develop and communicate a clear vision of the Faculty’s strategic direction.
Ensure the enactment of University strategic plans.
Develop and lead major external partnerships and collaborations.
Promote a collegiate approach and develop team spirit and team coherence.
Foster inter-disciplinary team working.
Initiative, problem solving and decision making
Determine the allocation of resources within a significant area of a Faculty.
As a member of the Faculty Senior Management Team make strategic decisions on Faculty plans and objectives
Contribute to the strategic direction of the University through participation in University Committees etc.
Lead the development of new and creative approaches to achieve strategic goals.
Initiate new and original solutions to problems.
Work environment
Exercise overall responsibility for health and safety in own areas of responsibility.
Ensure that appropriate risk management processes are operational.
Person Specification
· Good first degree
· Postgraduate and/or professional qualification in relevant area
· A higher degree, PhD or professional doctorate in a relevant academic area
· Professorial status, or the eligibility to be awarded professorial status upon appointment is desirable.
· Significant management experience in an academic or commercial environment
· A track record of successful development, management and delivery ofrelevant projects
· Significant experience of people management, budgetary control and allocation of resources
· A proven track record of achieving performance targets and supporting others to meet their performance targets
· Experience at a strategic level of contributing to and implementing vision, and developing and implementing policy.
· A track record of Higher Education teaching, research or third stream activity.
· Monitoring and evaluating people and systems to enhance the quality and provision of service.
· Experience and understanding of QAA requirements.
· Experience of chairing committees and taking a lead role in decision making groups/committees.
· Successful experience of managing through other managers.
· Experienced in the recruitment and selection of staff
· Experienced in the analysis and presentation of management and financial information for decision making.
Able to demonstrate:
· Strategic focus with strong leadership and management skills including excellent analytical, communication and presentation skills.
· Strong interpersonal and facilitatory skills.
· Ability to work collaboratively in a team, to lead and to inspire high quality performance in others.
· High levels of motivation with ability to determine and achieve own targets and objectives
· Ability to build effective relationships and interact with students, colleagues, external clients, stakeholders and fellow professionals and to work collaboratively
· Experience and/or ability to plan, manage and implement change in an academic environment while maintaining the confidence of staff at all levels.
· Ability to visualise how the Faculty could and should be developed to attain academic excellence in local, national and international markets.
· High level of professionalism, enthusiasm and commitment.
· Confidence and courage to take on challenges and be accountable for any decisions / risks taken.
· Good organisational skills
· Strong negotiation skills
· Good IT skills
Special requirements
Able to undertake duties at different premises including any University campus as required.
National and international travel will be necessary from in order to attend conferences and events and effectively represent the University in key professional networks.
Expected to work outside of normal office hours as required.
All academic staff are expected to engage in activities associated with promotion, marketing and public outreach of the subject area.
Expectations of all staff
Professional standards
All staff employed by Birmingham City University are expected to exhibit high professional standards which promote and demonstrate the University’s core values of Excellence, People Focused, Partnership Working, Fairness and Integrity.
In addition, Associate Deans are expected to be an active ambassador for the University and proactively identify ways to enhance the University’s collective reputation.
Equal Opportunities
All staff are expected to understand and enact the University’s commitment to ensuring equality and diversity in all activities. This commitment is enshrined in the Equality Statement and core values.
Dignity at work
Every member of staff has a responsibility to ensure colleagues are treated with dignity and respect.
The University is committed to creating a work environment for all staff that is free from harassment, intimidation and any other forms of bullying at work, where everyone is treated with dignity, respect and professional courtesy.
Health and safety
The arrangements for meeting the University’s health and safety objectives are contained in the Birmingham City University Health and Safety Policy. This includes the responsibilities of key staff and procedures covering the main activities of the University.
All staff are expected to take reasonable care of themselves and those that may be affected by their actions.
Dress code
The University does not operate a formal dress code for its employees, other than for those who are provided with uniform and/or protective clothing. However, employees must ensure that their dress is professional, reasonably smart and appropriate for the situation in which they are working. All staff should ensure that they present a professional image and one that reflects sensitivity to customer perceptions. This may reflect their ethnicity and lifestyle, but should not be provocative or cause offence to those with whom they have contact.
Citizenship
All staff are expected to adhere to good citizenship, being generous with help and support to others, collaborating with colleagues and working for the benefit of the University as a whole. In particular working to provide a positive student experience and achieving excellence in all the University’s activities.
This job description indicates the expectations of staff Associate Dean level. Each Faculty will have a number of Associate Deans with responsibilities for different portfolios which include:
· Student learning experience
· Academic quality
· Academic Portfolio and Market Development
· International
· Research
· Enterprise
One or more portfolio areas may be combined into a single job.
Guidance on typical areas of responsibility and specific knowledge, experience and expertise required for each is provided in the Associate Dean Portfolio Descriptions. These may be revised and updated from time to time in line with the University’s strategic aims. Individual objectives and achievement targets will be agreed between Executive Deans of Faculty and their Associate Deans and reviewed regularly.
With reasonable notice and support, the University can expect and require a member of staff at this level to undertake any of the activities detailed above. You will be expected to perform at this level within a reasonable period following promotion. Job descriptions are not exhaustive and you may be required to undertake other duties of a similar level and responsibility.