Head of School of Veterinary, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

Description of Post

This Senior Management position (Fixed term contract until November 2030) requires a combination of high academic achievement with substantial relevant experience.  The position will require significant organisational, leadership and communication skills.

The Faculty of Science and Health has approximately 7.000 students across thirteen Departments. These Departments are currently structured into four discipline aligned Schools. The School of Veterinary Agriculture and Environmental Sciences is composed of three Departments, the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment (Galway City Campus), Department of Veterinary Medicine (Letterkenny campus) and the Department of Environmental Science (Sligo Campus). The School has an extensive research portfolio with the potential for growth and expansion in both research and academic programme provision. The School is also home to the new Department of Veterinary Medicine which will undergo significant growth and development over the coming years.

Essential Qualifications

Minimum

• An Honours degree (2.2 or higher) in a relevant Level 8-degree programme [as specified in the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)], or equivalent.

Minimum of five years relevant post-qualification experience.  This experience will normally be in an appropriate third-level educational institution, industry, research or a combination of these.

• Excellent communication skills in English

Desirable Qualifications and Skills

Desirable

• A doctoral qualification or equivalent in a relevant discipline.
• Experience managing or contributing to change in a complex operating environment.
• Evidence of leadership, encompassing aspects such as chairing of committees, project management, policy and programme development and academic compliance.
• Evidence of leadership of a significant academic unit, including a track record in programme development at undergraduate and post-graduate level.
• Demonstrable experience in actively promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.
• An understanding of the complexities of the relationships between the university sector and industry with a track record of effective interaction between HE and industry.
• Experience of conducting research or scholarship in a relevant discipline.
• Experience of delivering growth and developing capability and capacity in research, innovation and engagement.
• Experience of building and maintaining partnerships with external stakeholders, regionally and nationally.
• Experience of driving innovative initiatives across programme development, industry collaboration or internal process enhancement.
• Proven experience of managing financial and physical resources and analysing financial reports including profitability, resource utilisation and forecasting.
• Demonstrable line management experience in a large and complex organisation.
• Experience managing or contributing to change in a complex operating environment.
• Ability to face challenging situations and consensus build during times of change.
• Membership of appropriate representative and/or professional bodies.
• Experience working across a multi-campus environment.

Understanding of the role of a regional institution and experience engaging and collaborating with regional stakeholders.

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