Associate Dean (External Engagement)

FTE: 1.0fte (37 hours per week)

Duration of Contract: Permanent on a 5 year renewable tenure

Salary: AM2 £73,453 pa with potential to progress to £78,798 by annual increments on achieving designated skills and experience

Annual Leave: 35 days plus standard public holidays and an additional 4 days including the closure of our office between Christmas and New Year

Location: Hatfield

The School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science (SPECS) offers a rich and diverse portfolio across Physics, Engineering, and Computer Science. We pride ourselves on delivering an innovative learning and teaching experience, underpinned by hands-on, practical engagement. Our students, both international and home, consistently give excellent feedback, reflected in high numbers of good honours degrees and strong employability outcomes. SPECS supports a vibrant undergraduate and postgraduate community.

Main duties & responsibilities 

This senior leadership role with the School of Physics, Engineering, & Computer Science (SPECS) offers an exciting opportunity to shape and enhance the school's engagement with a wide array of external stakeholders, including prospective students, alumni, international partners (existing and prospective), and the wider community. The successful candidate will, in collaboration with the Dean, Deputy Dean, PVC, Marketing & Communications (M&C) colleagues and the International Office (IO) maintain an oversight of the external environment relevant to SPECS and develop a consistent and strong brand profile. The successful candidate will play a lead role developing and implementing initiatives that ensure the school’s strategic objectives are achieved as well as support the development of sustainable collaborative relationships and partnerships with business, industry, government, third-sector organisations, cultural institutions, and individuals. You will play an important role in the development of the school’s business plans and development of course portfolio across UG, PG, DA and CPD to generate new opportunities for diversifying income in line with market opportunities. The Associate Dean will be a member of the Schools Senior Executive Group and any other groups relevant to the portfolio.

Skills and experience

The successful candidate will have a strong track record of delivering against commercial objectives and proven leadership experience in external engagement, marketing or recruitment. You will have experience of working internationally and be able to demonstrate successful collaboration with international and external partners. You will be able to demonstrate a high level of strategic thinking in order to deliver against the University’s strategic plan as well as the ability to inform the school’s student recruitment and partnership plan and develop opportunities for growth and income generation. You will have a positive, inclusive and collegial leadership style and be able to demonstrate your commitment to inclusivity and equity. You will have a highly developed sense of professionalism with a can-do attitude and excellent diplomacy skills.

Qualifications

Honours degree (or equivalent) and a postgraduate qualification or equivalent professional experience.

Please view the job description and person specification for a full list of the duties and essential criteria. Please attach a personal statement showing clearly how your skills and experience match the Person Specification

Start date - 1 August 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Contact Details/Informal Enquiries Professor Daniel McCluskey (Dean) d.mccluskey@herts.ac.uk or Felix Zhu (Deputy Dean) q.f.zhu@herts.ac.uk.

Closing Date: 22 June 2025

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Reference Number: REQ000024

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