Associate Dean for Impact & Innovation

University of East London

We’re the University of East London (UEL) founded in 1898 and proud to change lives through education. Our goal is to advance industry 5.0 careers-first education and provide a clear path to the jobs and opportunities of the future. We’re committed to driving diversity in the 5.0 talent pipeline, working in partnership to promote talent wherever it is found and creating a balanced, inclusive, and green future.

But we can't achieve this goal alone. We need forward-thinking, innovative, and curious individuals like you to join our community and help us craft our future. As part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to work with a diverse range of people who share your passion for creating positive change. We’re an inclusive and welcoming community that is constantly moving forward, never satisfied with the status quo.

About Us

The Royal Docks School of Business & Law is a contemporary and vibrant learning community where we focus on providing a transformational educational experience for our students. With a clear focus on creating graduates of the future, we are a key School within an ambitious University. Based in the fast-growing and diverse environment of east London and Docklands, the school is well positioned in a community benefiting from substantial inward investment and regeneration.

The School has strong links with industry partners from a range of sectors who help to inform and enhance our curriculum. Our careers focus means that we are not only delivering degrees shaped to meet the needs of industry, but we are also preparing students for careers of the future – giving them the skills to adapt to and thrive in a rapidly changing employment market.

We are going through several exciting developments with the ambition to become the leading post-92 School of Business and Law for career development. Part of this growth includes a range of new appointments that we are looking to make to add to our creative and ambitious faculty.

We take pride in all our staff and students, who are talented, hard-working, and come from rich, diverse backgrounds. We are driven to provide the best qualifications, practical ability, and career support, so that our students and graduates have the best possible chance of developing a great career in their chosen field. Our academics deliver original and innovative teaching ensuring that students are academically challenged.

About the Job

The Associate Dean of Impact and Innovation is responsible for leading the university’s ‘Future Life’ strategic objective, aimed at increasing the positive and sustainable economic, social, and cultural impact of our research, education, and enterprise activities within the communities we serve. Success in this role is measured through key performance indicators (KPIs) tied to the Research Excellence Framework (REF), Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF), and civic university objectives.

As a senior leader within the School, this role offers both challenges and rewards, requiring the highest levels of transformational change. Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the school’s research and impact strategies by building strong relationships with UK Research and Innovation and other funding bodies.
• Supporting preparation for REF 2029, serving as a Unit of Assessment (UoA) coordinator, and collaborating with other UoA and impact coordinators within the school.
• Enhancing the visibility and impact of knowledge exchange and academic advancements to non-academic audiences.
• Promoting a sustainable applied research environment and advocating for the school’s knowledge assets.
• Expanding the social, cultural, and economic impact of the school’s research and engagement activities.

In addition, you will lead the school’s civic engagement efforts, delivering public benefit to the communities we serve by advancing equality and diversity objectives, enhancing youth safety, promoting engagement and empowerment, and supporting social coaching and volunteering initiatives.

About You

We are looking for an inclusive, determined, and inspirational leader with a passion for impact and innovation. You will encourage creativity and new ideas while fostering a high-performance culture focused on continuous improvement and cost-effectiveness.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• A strong track record in research leadership, including experience building relationships with research funders and driving knowledge exchange.
• The ability to lead and advocate for impactful research that engages both academic and non-academic audiences.
• A deep commitment to civic engagement and delivering meaningful, sustainable benefits to the communities the university serves.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to forge strong connections with both internal and external stakeholders.

If you are eager to make a lasting impact through research, education, and community engagement, we invite you to apply for this pivotal role.

Benefits Package

Here are our amazing benefits: https://uel.ac.uk/benefits-all-academic-management-positions

At UEL we care deeply about your well-being, and we understand it’s about more than just a salary. It’s about the entire package on offer along with our outstanding work environment and inclusive culture. We know the market rates for this vacancy and will offer a genuinely competitive salary DOE. 

Equal Opportunities

UEL is an inclusive employer with equal opportunities and is proud of our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity achievements, including: zero gender pay gap, members of Stonewall and have won Athena Swan awards. We expect employees of UEL to accept our EDI policy and will not tolerate discrimination in any form.

We're a disability confident employer and value all applications. Please let us know if you require any reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process.