Head of Department (Department of Health Professions and Social Work)

FTE: 1.0 FTE (working 37 hours a week)  

Duration of Contract Permanent

Annual Leave: 35 days plus standard public holidays and an additional 4 days including the closure of our offices 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 Health Professions and Social Work. 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 Health Professions or Social Work discipline, alongside proven leadership and management experience in a multidisciplinary academic setting. You 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, along with promoting an inclusive culture is essential.  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. 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 Health Professions or Social Work.

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

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

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

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)

Interview Date:  TBC

 Our vision is to transform lives and 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, personal and professional development and family-friendly policies. #GoHerts

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