Deputy Vice-Chancellor

Expires

14th March 2017

Celebrating our 50th anniversary in 2014, the University of Essex is ranked 19th in the Research Excellence Framework 2014.  The 2016 National Student Survey results placed Essex joint 8th out of all English mainstream universities and in the top 10 for the fourth year in a row. In the mock Teaching Excellence Framework published in June 2016, the Times Higher placed Essex 13th. Confirming our global reputation, the Times Higher Education World Rankings placed Essex in the world’s top 20 for international outlook and in the QS World Rankings Essex is ranked 25th for the most international student community and 60th for the most international academic community in the world. The university is ranked 30th in the 2017 Times Good University Guide.

The University is seeking to appoint a Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) at a very exciting time in our development. Our Strategic Plan 2013-19 sets our ambition to be acknowledged nationally and internationally as a leading research-intensive university. At the half way point in our plan we have risen to 30th in the Times Good University Guide.  By 2019 we want to be firmly in the top 25 of UK universities and all of our subjects in the top 20% of their discipline within the UK. Our aim is to grow the size of the University by 50% by 2019 to 15,000 students and to double the number of staff submitted to the next REF to 600. Having grown from about 9,500 to 14,000 students, we are on target to meet our goals – and applications are up for entry in October 2017.

Reporting directly to the Vice-Chancellor and a member of the University’s executive (University Steering Group), the DVC is responsible for a range of pan-University areas including the annual planning round and is the academic lead for capital development and space management, HR and Equality and Diversity, academic promotions, admissions and the DVC deputises for the Vice-Chancellor as required. The DVC is also a member of the Senate and Council. The DVC does not line manage staff, but is supported by senior colleagues in professional support services in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The appointee will have a substantive post in a relevant academic department. The normal term of appointment to the role of the DVC is three years, with eligibility for re-appointment for a further three years. They may exceptionally be re-appointed for a further period of up to three years making a total of nine years. The role-holder will be appointed to a substantive chair in one of our academic departments, to which they will revert at the conclusion of their term of office. We recognise that in a research-intensive university research credibility is essential, therefore a percentage of the post will be ring-fenced for research and we will provide research support as necessary.

The successful candidate should hold a PhD in a discipline relevant to the University and have a distinguished academic record, including an internationally excellent research standing.  A proven track record of successful academic leadership at a senior level in a higher education institution that includes a broad range of disciplines together with excellent planning skills, allied to well-developed analytical and problem solving skills are also essential.

We are seeking to appoint a DVC (Designate) from 1 January 2018 to 31 July 2019.  In this period the DVC (Designate) will support the Vice-Chancellor in development of the new Strategic Plan 2019-25.  The appointee will start their term of office as Deputy Vice Chancellor from 1 August 2019.

We particularly welcome applications from those from an ethnic minority as they are under-represented on the University Steering Group.
Appointment will be made on the Grade 11 scale and will be commensurate with skills and experience.  This post also carries a leadership allowance for the term of office.

Please visit our dedicated website for more information including the job description and person specification.   You will also find details here of the application process and the documentation required. 

Closing date:  14 March 2017

Location:  Colchester Campus