Head of Department

Role Description
Faculty/Service: [Faculty/Service]
Role Title: Head of Department
Grade: 9
Category: Academic Management

Deliver the strategic outcomes of the University Strategy and Faculty

plans through leading and managing the development, implementation,
delivery, performance and review of all Departmental Plans.

Lead and manage the implementation of University and Faculty /

Departmental plans as they relate to learning and teaching; student
experience; research and innovation, international recruitment and
Transnational education, enterprise, and knowledge exchange (as
measured by KPI’s).
Role Purpose:
Lead and manage the Department’s resources effectively and
efficiently at all stages and levels including Human (e.g. recruitment,
induction, probation, mentoring, PDAs, sabbaticals, performance
management), Financial (e.g. contributing to budget development and
capital investment, monitoring income and expenditure), and Physical
(e.g. equipment, consumables, space)

Lead (as appropriate) on or contributing strategic leadership to a cross

Faculty projects or strategic themes

Reports to: Faculty Pro Vice-Chancellor

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• As part of the University Senior Leadership Team, provide strategic leadership and delivery
of Vision 2025, the University’s Strategy and supporting plans (e.g. Faculty five year plan
and risk register).
• Provide strategic leadership to the Department for all academic activity and disciplines
across Education, Learning, Teaching and the Student experience (TEF), Research and
Innovation (REF), International activity, Enterprise and Knowledge Exchange Student
Satisfaction and Employability (NSS, Graduate Outcomes) and Staff Engagement and
Performance.
• Accountable for the development and delivery of all Department plans in accordance with
the University’s planning framework, and for achieving timely performance against targets.
• Accountable for the engagement, development and performance management of all
colleagues in the Department so that they are aligned with the University’s vision and feel
empowered to make a valuable contribution.
• Lead and promote cross-Departmental working and lead as appropriate cross- Faculty and
cross-University projects and initiatives.

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• Responsible for the management, leadership and effective deployment of the
Department’s human, physical and financial resources in line with Faculty plans,
budgeting, supply and demand;
• Responsible for the long-term financial sustainability of the Department, adopting a
commercial approach and appropriate financial management, consistent with the
University’s commitment to quality.
• Responsible for fostering innovation and agility in all aspects of the Departments activity
and ensure that the Department is committed at all times to high-quality, professional
standards.
• Responsible for embedding University policies, procedures and practices in areas such as
financial management, workload allocation, timetabling, engagement and partnership
activity, student experience, research and innovation, knowledge exchange,
internationalisation, etc.
• Responsible for understanding staff and student feedback and responding to issues
which arise at a Departmental level in order to improve satisfaction and staff and student
experiences in line with KPIs.
• Responsible for health, safety and wellbeing within the Department, fostering a culture of
good practice and compliance.
• Responsible for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion within the Department, addressing
Department specific issues, where appropriate, coordinating Departmental submissions
for awards such as Athena SWAN and developing a collaborative, collegiate and
inclusive culture.
• Positively promote and represent the Department, Faculty and University internally and
externally, building and maintaining strategic networks with organisations within and
beyond Higher Education.
• Chair relevant Departmental and Faculty groups and committees.
• Undertake international travel to represent the University and Faculty Executive.

Northumbria University is an on-campus organisation where colleagues work regular

patterns of hours and on campus, with some flexibility on the timing of their hours and the
location of their work in discussion with their manager. Colleagues who would like to make a
long term or permanent change to their hours, pattern or place of work should request this
via a Flexible Working Request.

This Role Description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties and will be subject to
periodic review by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Faculty Pro Vice-Chancellor/Deputy FPVC
in discussion with the post-holder.
.

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 Head of Department
Person Specification

Skills, Knowledge and Experience Weight

Knowledge of UK Higher Education and current policy developments, Essential
and the ability to think strategically about the future of the Faculty in the
context of the University’s Strategy and the changing external
environment.
An exceptional academic of a high level of personal academic Essential
credibility and standing in a discipline relevant to the Faculty
appropriate to lead the breadth of disciplines and activity in the
Department
A strong track record in research in a relevant discipline, and in Essential
delivering teaching excellence.
Experience of leading and managing high performing Academic teams Essential
Demonstrable success in building successful, cooperative and Essential
collaborative relationships and partnerships within and outside the
University.
Analytical and problem-solving capabilities and ability to produce Essential
innovative solutions
Strong influencing skills and the ability to persuade others Essential
Evidence of capability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines, Essential
Personal strength of character, professional independence and Essential
integrity, and a commitment to transparency, honesty and fairness
Ability to translate vision into strategic and operational plans with Essential
appropriate governance to enable delivery.
Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills Essential
with the ability to clearly articulate complex issues
Experience of working within a large, complex organisation Essential
Strong strategic focus and commercial sensitivity and acumen Essential
Budget management experience and experience of Higher Education Desirable
or public sector financial accountability.
Significant leadership and management experience at a senior level in Desirable
a large and complex HEI, with diverse groups of staff, and a sound
grasp of how to manage academic success
Understand the opportunities people, processes and technology can Desirable
realise in education student interaction and staff engagement e.g.
pedagogy methodology, virtual learning and environments, digital
living and communications.

Education & Training Weight

Professor or commitment to achieving Professorial status Essential

Evidence of Continuous Professional Development in the subject Essential
specialism.
PhD (or working towards completion), evidence of REFable research Essential
outputs

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