Head of Department (Nursing, Midwifery and Wellbeing)

SBU/Department:  School of Health, Medicine and Life Science 

FTE: 1.0fte working 37 hours per week     

Duration of Contract Permanent

Salary: £74,481 - £85,320 pa (AM2 – AM3) dependant on 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: College Lane Campus, Hatfield

Main duties and responsibilities

We are seeking an experienced and visionary academic leader to join our newly formed School of Health, Medicine and Life Science as Head of Department Nursing, Midwifery and Wellbeing. This pivotal role involves providing strategic leadership in learning, teaching, research, and enterprise, while managing staff and overseeing curriculum development, quality assurance, and departmental operations. You will contribute to school-wide strategy as part of the Executive Group, manage departmental budgets and staffing, and foster a collaborative, inclusive, and innovative academic environment. The successful candidate will also represent the department internally and externally, actively engage in their professional field, and uphold the University’s values of friendliness, ambition, collaboration, enterprise, and student success. 

Skill and experience required

The successful candidate will possess significant expertise within the Nursing, Midwifery or Wellbeing discipline, alongside proven leadership and management experience in a multidisciplinary academic setting. They will demonstrate the ability to build strong collaborative relationships internally and externally, manage and support diverse teams, and contribute effectively to strategic planning and operational delivery. A strong track record in data analysis, business planning, and equality implementation is essential, along with experience chairing formal meetings and involvement in academic boards is preferred. Excellent communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills are vital, as is a flexible, solution-focused approach and commitment to continuous improvement. 

Qualifications required

Applicants must hold a minimum of a Master’s degree or equivalent. A doctorate, or evidence of working towards one, is desirable, as is the completion of relevant management or business-related training. These qualifications should be complemented by a commitment to academic leadership and professional development within the field of Nursing, Midwifery or Wellbeing. 

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. 

An appointment to this role may require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.

Internal applicants – please ensure you apply via your employee self-service portal. 

Contact Details/Informal Enquiries: Irene Ctori, Dean of School Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (I.Ctori@hers.ac.uk)

Laura Bignell, HR Business Partner for School of Health, Medicine and Life Science (l.bigell@herts.ac.uk) 

Closing Date: 19 November 2025

Interview Date: TBC

Reference Number: REQ000345

Our vision is to transform lives: UH is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and building a diverse community. We welcome applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of their protected characteristics, and recognise there are different ways applicants may achieve the criteria in this document. We offer a range of employee benefits including generous annual leave, flexible location opportunities within the UK, discounted Sports Village memberships and free Active Staff sessions, personal and professional development and family-friendly policies. #GoHerts

Advert information