Head, Department of Urban Planning and Design

Xi'an Jiaotong - Liverpool University – Urban Planning and Design

School: Design School

ABOUT XJTLU

In 2006 Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) was created by the University of Liverpool and Xi’an Jiaotong University – a top ten university in China. Offering a unique international education experience, XJTLU brings together excellent research practice and expertise from both institutions and gives students the skills and knowledge they need to secure careers in a global marketplace. XJTLU now has about 22,000 enrolled students in both Suzhou and Liverpool in the UK, with plans to grow to about 28,000 students by 2025. There are currently about 2,000 staff, among which about 1,000 academic staff, with an almost even split between citizens of the People’s Republic of China and international passport holders. XJTLU offers our undergraduates and postgraduates over 100 programmes with a diverse spectrum of courses.

XJTLU is entering a new and exciting phase of its development as part of its strategic priorities for the next ten years. Adopting a new higher education model based on the concept of Syntegrative Education (SE), XJTLU is currently opening a new Entrepreneurial Education site in Taicang, part of wider Suzhou, where the Entrepreneur College (Taicang) is located. The Taicang site will be a pioneer of, and educational model for, the future campus in addressing challenges arising from the 4th Industrial Revolution. Other new initiatives include new working partnerships with Xi’an Jiaotong University, the continued development of the four new Academies, and exploration of further potential locations to develop the SE model.

With a focus on innovative learning and teaching, and research, XJTLU draws on the strengths of its parent universities, and plays a pivotal role in facilitating access to China for UK and other institutional partners. At same time, XJTLU is exploring future education by blending the educational theory, best practice and culture from west and east.

For detailed information about the university, please visit www.xjtlu.edu.cn

ABOUR DESIGN SCHOOL AND ABOUT URBAN PLANNING AND DESIGN DEPARTMENT

Founded in 2020, the Design School consists of the Departments of Architecture, Civil Engineering, Industrial Design and Urban Planning and Design. The Design School amalgamates, in a unique framework, a diverse range of design subjects with various forms and expressions in a multidisciplinary setting. Its purpose is to educate the future generation of designers with a perspective on digital design and sustainable development and to become a crucible for innovation and intellectual freedom in design education. 

The Department of Urban Planning and Design has grown into a truly international department that marries the best of urban planning and design theory and practices from around the world to the specificities of practice in rapidly urbanising China. The Department’s connections to others within the School and XJTLU help to foster the interdisciplinary inquiry essential to good urban planning and design.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Head of Department of Urban Planning and Design will be responsible for overseeing the strategic direction and operations of the department, as well as managing the department's staff and resources. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in urban planning and design, as well as experience managing teams and developing effective strategies.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership:

• Foster a collaborative and inclusive departmental culture that supports innovation and excellence in teaching, research, and practice;
• Represent the department and the Design School at relevant professional and academic events.

Management:

• Develop and implement strategic plans for the department in line with the overall goals of the Design School;
• Manage departmental resources, including budgets, facilities, and equipment;
• Oversee the recruitment, training, and development of departmental staff;
• Develop and deliver high-quality teaching and learning programs that meet the needs of students and align with the Design School's strategic goals;
• Conduct research and scholarly activities that contribute to the advancement of knowledge and practice in the field of urban planning and design;
• Develop and maintain strong partnerships with industry, government, and community organizations to promote the department's work and enhance its impact. 

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCES

The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders;
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of the department's work.

We are looking for someone with the ambition, creativity and organizational skills to succeed in an exciting environment of continued growth and significant change.

Applicants should:

• A PhD or equivalent degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, or a related field;
• Ideally a minimum of five years of experience in academic leadership or management roles, with a track record of success in developing and implementing strategic plans, managing budgets and resources, and leading teams;
• A strong record of scholarly and professional achievement in the field of urban planning and design, including publications, grants, and awards;
• Demonstrated expertise in one or more areas of urban planning and design, such as sustainable development, transportation planning, or urban design.

CITIZENSHIP AND VISA REGULATIONS

Employment at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University is regulated by Chinese Labour Laws, and must comply with the regulations of the provincial government. These regulations stipulate who is eligible for legal employment with regard to obtaining work permits and visas. Please be advised candidates over 65 may be not eligible for a work visa in the P.R. China.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

• Clear career development path with annual review.
• Professional development trainings are provided.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The Head of Department of Urban Planning and Design is eligible to receive a duty allowance.

SALARY: Competitive salary in the market

BENEFITS:

1. Allowance: XJTLU provide various month/annual/one-off allowances as 

• Housing allowance
• Travel allowance
• Relocation allowance
• Etc.

2. Commercial insurance: International insurance plans customized for XJTLU staff and family members. (details refer to the University Policy)

3. Paid holidays: 

• Statutory Holidays (11 days)
• Annual Leave (36 days)
• Family Matters Leave
• Paid Sick Leave
• Marriage Leave
• Paternity Leave
• Parental leave
• Etc.

4. Working visa and residence permit in China; XJTLU sponsors working visa and residence permit in China for the staff.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your application on our university website, by clicking the 'Apply' button.

Applications must be submitted in a single pdf file that includes 3 parts in the order of:

• A cover letter (Expression of Interest);
• A current CV, including a full publication list;
• Contact details of three potential referees.

Applications should be received by the closing date stated above.

Informal enquiries about the positions and the School may be addressed to the Dean of Design School, Prof. Konstantinos Papadikis at Konstantinos.Papadikis@xjtlu.edu.cn

Other informal enquiries may be addressed to HR Ms. Xinyun Yang at Xinyun.Yang@xjtlu.edu.cn