Glasgow School for Business & Society

Grade: Senior Management
Salary scale: Competitive
Contract: Full time/open ended
Interviews: W/C 30 May 2022

Glasgow Caledonian University - the University for the Common Good - is a vibrant, values-led, multi-cultural University with a global outlook, dedicated to delivering social innovation. Our organisational strategy is aligned with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals and our globally recognised researchers advise governments, industry and international bodies. We’re ranked fifth in the world and first in the UK for promoting gender equality, 69^th globally for social impact, and the top modern university in Scotland for research power. In 2020-21, we contributed £1.7 billion and more than 14,000 jobs across the globe.

GCU is committed to widening participation, delivering positive outcomes for our students, and we’re Scotland’s leading provider of Graduate Apprenticeships. With campuses in Glasgow, London and New York, we have transnational partnerships around the world, supporting more than 22,000 students. Guided by our inspirational Chancellor, Dr Annie Lennox OBE, and guided by our values – integrity, responsibility, creativity and confidence - we transform the lives of the people and communities we serve.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to lead the Department of Social Sciences within the Glasgow School for Business and Society.  The Department of Social Sciences is a dynamic and innovative multidisciplinary group within the school, which is committed to research and teaching excellence, public engagement and community empowerment. Our learning, teaching, research, and community engagement is informed by our commitment to the Common Good. The department delivers a highly successful BA (Hons) Social Sciences degree and a new MSc Human Rights. The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021 ranked us as 7^th in the UK for Social Sciences

The department has a highly successful track record in producing research across multiple disciplines.  This is underpinned by an established research culture around the themes of social innovation, public policy and equalities and justice, feeding into the University’s values and mission of the Common Good. The department plays a key role in the School’s research centres including Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health, the WiSE Centre for Economic Justice and it also hosts The Scottish Poverty and Inequality Research Unit.

As Head of Department, you will be the academic and strategic lead with responsibility for managing, supporting and mentoring staff.  The successful candidate will have a Doctoral qualification and track record in research and be able to evidence success in leading and delivering excellence in teaching and learning.  As Head of Department, you will be responsible for the oversight of the student experience and for developing and maintaining a portfolio of programmes with national and international appeal. You will have responsibility for enhancing the external profile of the department, sourcing income generating opportunities and leading research activity with a clear focus on fostering output for the next REF exercise. 

As a member of the School’s Senior Management Group, you will support the Dean in driving the School’s financial and academic performance in line with the University’s Strategy 2030.

GCU operates a rotational system for its Head of Department roles.  The appointment of HoD would therefore be for a 5 year fixed period, however a substantive contract will be offered at a Reader or Professor level, subject to skills and experience. At the end of the 5-year Head of Department role, you would move entirely to the role of Professor or Reader, with the opportunity to develop further your learning and teaching and the research outputs of the department.  Remuneration would be commensurate with the level of the post.

If you would like to discuss this exciting opportunity, please contact either Professor J John Lennon (Dean) jjle@gcu.ac.uk or Dr Shirley Rate (Vice Dean) Shirley.rate@gcu.ac.uk .

As the University for the Common Good, we are committed to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion, as well as our values in everything that we do.  As such, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates who demonstrate the GCU Values.

Glasgow Caledonian University is committed to a fair and transparent recruitment process that is free from bias so that we can attract and retain a high performing workforce which makes a critical contribution to our success.

The University holds the prestigious Athena SWAN Silver institution award, which recognises our significant record of activity and achievement in promoting gender equality across different disciplines.

As a Disability Confident 'Committed' employer, we are striving to ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to disabled people. Although the Disability Confident 'Committed' level does not guarantee an interview for disabled applicants, we will make reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants during the recruitment process.

The University also holds the Carer Positive ‘Engaged’ employer award, which recognises our commitment to supporting staff with caring responsibilities.

Glasgow Caledonian University are committed signatories to the Armed Forces Covenant. 

The University offers a range of benefits including opportunities for professional development, family friendly policies, cycle to work scheme and onsite childcare facilities.

You can apply for this role through the Glasgow Caledonian University Vacancies page.