Proud of our roots and history, we are now looking forward with confidence and purpose, and this role, as a stellar leader and educator, is critical to our success.
The appointment comes at an important moment for the University. We are shaping the next phase of our strategy, strengthening our financial sustainability, and deepening our contribution to Northamptonshire and the wider region. Like many universities, we are operating in a challenging and fast-changing higher education environment, but we are doing so with clarity about our purpose and confidence in the difference we can make. Working alongside the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business, Creative Industries, Technology and Law the Executive Dean will play a central role in helping us translate ambition into delivery: improving student outcomes, growing distinctive academic provision, building productive partnerships, and ensuring that the Faculty’s expertise is fully connected to the needs of our communities, employers and public services.
This inspiring academic leader is responsible for ensuring the success and long-term future of the Faculty while also carrying defined cross-institutional responsibilities, agreed with the Vice Chancellor upon appointment, that advance the University Strategy, strengthen academic quality, student success, research, enterprise and external impact.
We expect this post holder to work collaboratively across Faculties and Professional Services Directorates, and with staff, students, Governors and external partners, to deliver ongoing institution-wide transformation, foster innovation and secure excellent outcomes for the University and its communities.
This critical role will be responsible for delivering agreed annual and multi-year Faculty performance objectives linked to student recruitment, student outcomes, academic quality, financial contribution, partnership growth, research performance and external engagement. You are expected to act first and foremost as an institutional leader, contributing collectively to the success of the University beyond Faculty boundaries.
The incoming Executive Dean will inherit a committed and collegiate faculty and will be expected to build further ambition, innovation and external engagement across its academic communities.
Waterside Campus, University Drive, Northampton, NN1 5PH
£122,000 - £125,000
For an informal conversation, please contact Alex Albone Principal Consultant, Education & Central Government, on 0207 529 3061 or email: [email protected]
We are looking for someone who will bring ambition, judgement and humanity to this role. You will be a visible and accessible leader, able to build confidence during change, create pride and momentum across the Faculty, and make thoughtful choices where resources are finite and expectations are high. You will understand that universities change lives not in the abstract, but through the daily work of opening doors, raising confidence, creating opportunity and helping students and staff to realise their potential.
With a strong track record of success in a discipline relevant to this Faculty and in a senior higher education leadership role, you will be someone who can show that you have delivered continued growth by maximising the potential of an existing portfolio, but also by opening up new markets, partnerships, and by leading other commercial activity.
The right candidate will combine strategic grip with generosity of spirit. They will be comfortable leading at pace, but will do so in a way that brings people with them; setting clear expectations, supporting colleagues to succeed, and building a culture where performance, inclusion and care are mutually reinforcing. We need someone who can build pride, pace and performance within the Faculty while contributing visibly and constructively to the success of the whole University, beyond their faculty boundaries.
Equally important is being a trusted, constructive and collegiate member of the University Leadership Team, and demonstrating a commitment to the mission and spirit of UON, and everything we stand for.
With high integrity and consummate professionalism, you will demonstrate adherence to the ethical standards and confidentiality we hold dear, and illustrate your ability to work in accordance with the UON’s policies on equality, inclusion, sustainability and responsible practice.
Joining us at this time, offers the chance to be part of a forward-thinking and student-centred institution, where you will help shape a university that is redefining what it means to be a critical and influential part of Northamptonshire’s civic fabric. If you are excited by the opportunity to lead with ambition, compassion and purpose – and to help shape a University that matters profoundly to its students, staff, partners and place – we would be delighted to hear from you.
Our mission is to transform lives and inspire change. We are committed to ensuring that you have a positive experience working with us by providing a supportive, inclusive, and caring environment.
We prioritise health and wellbeing as a cornerstone of the staff and student experience. Our Waterside Wellbeing Community brings together teams to support and promote physical and mental wellbeing. Highlights include:
We want you to thrive in a way that supports both UON’s mission and your personal circumstances. Our Smarter Working approach enables increased flexibility and autonomy, where appropriate.
Generous Benefits Package
All of our job opportunities include a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that offers many features rarely found in the private sector, including:
You will lead the Faculty of Health, Life Sciences and Education through two Deputy Deans, a Faculty Manager and a Director of Commercial and Enterprise.
The Faculty sits at the intersection of some of the most important questions facing society: how we educate future generations, support healthier communities, strengthen public services and develop the workforce our region and country need. It comprises six Schools, the Nursing and Midwifery Competency Testing Centre and the Multi-Disciplinary Clinic. The Schools, teaching more than 7,000 students, are thus:
We have a growing, welcoming and diverse population living in Northampton. Perfectly situated just off the M1 in the East Midlands, we are within easy reach of London and Birmingham but don’t suffer the stresses and strains of big city life. We are proud to be England’s largest town and part of the newly created West Northants region.
We are surrounded by beautiful countryside and iconic stately homes in a county often described as the ‘Rose of the Shires.’ The area celebrates wonderful history and heritage; we have a great story to tell. Populated since the Bronze Age, we gained prestigious charter status back in medieval times and became a vibrant commercial trading centre.
We grew in stature during the industrial revolution due to our proximity to the iconic Grand Union Canal. In the late 1960’s, we were given a ‘new town’ designation and welcomed a wealth of new communities displaced in the post war overspill from London. Today we are the largest settlement within the new unitary authority of West Northants, with a population of 225,100 and bordered by the vibrant towns of Brackley, Towcester and Daventry.
West Northants is a great place to grow your business, and working in Northampton is a fantastic way to expand your career. Northampton and broader West Northants has a vibrant business community which combines big name employers including financial services giant Barclays and iconic Danish brewer Carlsberg with a burgeoning community of growing SME’s, micro SME’s and start-ups.
The fast transport links to London and Birmingham via train and road have allowed businesses to stay accessible but still maintain significantly cheaper commuting and living costs. Northampton is also within the East Midlands ‘Golden Triangle for Logistics’ where the number of business properties used for warehouses, logistics and transport has almost doubled in the last decade.
