Head of Department

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) is seeking to appoint an interim Head of Department (HoD) of Politics, Philosophy and Religion (PPR), due to the current HoD's term of office coming to an end. This senior leadership role is open to internal applicants only who must be an academic colleague within the Department and also hold a substantive post that exceeds the duration of the term of the appointment. Applicants will normally be at professorial level, however appointments will be made depending on the context, objectives and circumstances of the department at the time and on the skills and experience of particular candidates.

Term of office

You will be expected to undertake an interim term of 1 September 2024 - 14 August 2025. At the end of your term, you cease your Head of Department responsibilities, returning to your substantive role. The role is interim because FASS is committed to introducing a transparent and aligned workload model through Simitive which will have implications for roles, responsibilities and the distribution of work throughout FASS structures.

The role

This is an opportunity to take on a senior leadership role within the Department and Faculty. The role of the Head of Department provides academic leadership; encourages excellence in teaching, research and engagement; manages and develops the department, its staff and its activities through the most effective and cost-effective use of resources and within the framework of the University strategic plan and policies, and represents the department to the Faculty and the University. The Head of Department will be invited to represent the Department at key committees within the Faculty, you will also be invited to be part of Senate and the University Leadership Group.

Further details of the role are included in the Role and Responsibilities of the Head of Department (Job Description), along with a Description of Desirable Skills (Person Specification).

2. A separate document presenting a paragraph of text under each of the 5 headings of HoD Desirable Skills articulating how you would intend to approach the areas listed, noting any relevant experience, and what professional development you would welcome in support. These headings are: 1) Entrepreneurial; 2) Leadership; 3) Communication; 4) People management; 5) Financial management; and 6) Professional Profile.

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We warmly welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their age, religion, gender identity or expression, race, disability or sexual orientation, and are committed to promoting diversity, and equality of opportunity.

In recognition for taking on the role, for the period of office the Head of Department will receive a non-superannuable salary supplement equivalent in value to one (for a Professor) or two (for a Senior Lecturer) increment(s) on their salary scale. Furthermore, this role attracts a Head of Department Allowance to support research, knowledge transfer, scholarly activity, or educational enhancement. For the period of office, you will receive a non-superannuable allowance of £3,000 per annum which can be paid into your salary or your research account. The Head of Department will also receive an additional Faculty Personal Research Allowance (PRA), with the exact amount to be confirmed at the commencement of each financial year, as part of the annual budget setting process.