Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Xi'an Jiaotong - Liverpool University – School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Academic Leadership Position: Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Reports to: Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA)

Appointment Period: Three-year appointment, renewable

Academic Qualification: Professor

Recruitment Type: International

About Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU)

In 2006, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) was established by a collaboration between the University of Liverpool, UK, and Xi’an Jiaotong University, China. Offering a unique international education experience, XJTLU combines excellent research practices and expertise from both institutions, equipping students with the skills and knowledge they need to secure careers in a global marketplace. XJTLU now has over 25,000 enrolled students in both Suzhou and Liverpool, UK, with plans to grow to approximately 28,000 students by 2026. There are currently approximately 2,400 staff members, including over 1,300 academic staff from more than 60 countries. XJTLU offers our undergraduates and postgraduates over 100 programmes with a diverse spectrum of courses.

XJTLU is entering a new and exciting phase of its development, aligning with its strategic priorities for the next decade. Adopting a new higher education model based on the concept of Syntegrative Education (SE), XJTLU has established a new Entrepreneurial College (XEC) in Taicang, a part of the wider Suzhou area, where the Entrepreneur College is located. The XEC site is a pioneer of and educational model for the future campus in addressing challenges arising from the 4th Industrial Revolution. Other new initiatives include forming new working partnerships with the University of Liverpool and Xi’an Jiaotong University, the continued development of the four new Academies, and exploring further potential locations to develop the SE model.

With a focus on innovative learning, teaching, and research, XJTLU draws on the strengths of its parent universities and plays a pivotal role in facilitating access to China for UK and other institutional partners. At the same time, XJTLU is exploring future education by blending the educational theory, best practice and culture from the West and the East.

For detailed information about the university, please visit www.xjtlu.edu.cn

About the School of Humanities and Social Sciences

The School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) is dedicated to developing and delivering the most attractive humanities and social science degree programmes for Chinese and international students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. We are committed to creating a centre of research excellence in the humanities and social sciences that is recognised within China and internationally. The School also aims to develop outreach and partnerships with domestic and international universities.

The School of HSS researches and educates across different disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. The School, supported by over 90 academic staff from more than 17 countries, comprises five academic departments: the Department of Applied Linguistics, the Department of China Studies, the Department of International Studies, the Department of Media and Communication, and the Department of Literary and Translation Studies. The School offers eight undergraduate degree programmes, six PGT degree programmes, as well as PhD programmes in humanities and social sciences disciplines.

The School also offers opportunities for students who are interested in 2+2 programmes (with the University of Liverpool) and study abroad programmes. In addition, the School hosts the Year in China programme of the University of Liverpool. The School also runs a Diploma in China Studies.

The School of HSS organises collaborative and collective research projects to explore interactions and dialogues between China and the rest of the world. It proactively engages with the wider academic, business and policy-making communities in the Yangtze River Delta region, as well as nationally in China and abroad.

More details about the School of HSS can be found at: https://www.xjtlu.edu.cn/en/study/departments/School-of-humanities-and-social-sciences

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Dean of HSS is a member of the University's senior management team. This role reports directly to the University Vice President of Academic Affairs and serves as the chief academic and administrative leader of the School of HSS.

The appointee is expected to provide energetic leadership and strategic direction in reshaping HSS education and research of the School, aligning with the University’s vision to become a leading reformer of HSS education in China and globally; in guiding the School in its diverse activities including undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum developments, research directions, academic partnerships,  and industry linkages; and further advancing its global stature.

Leadership

Alongside the Staff, School Administration, and with the support of other leaders within the School, to:

1. Lead on the further development of the School’s vision and mission, setting out the School’s priorities in relation to research & knowledge exchange, education, teaching and learning/innovation, student experience, external and international engagement, whilst contributing to the strategic aims of the School/University and taking account of external factors. To engage, inspire and consult with stakeholders on the development and implementation of the strategy.
2. Act as a role model for leadership behaviour and build the School’s research profile and academic reputation, ensuring the highest standards of academic excellence are achieved.
3. Provide people-focused leadership; create and set a vision for the future which staff understand and can engage with.
4. Promote and represent the School, staff and University both internally and externally. Role model the culture and ethos of the University to enhance its reputation. Serve as the external voice of the School and foster international partnerships.
5. Contribute to University-led activities on behalf of the School. Serve as a point of contact between the University, the staff and the School.

Research

This role demands a balance of visionary leadership, administrative skill, and advocacy for both researchers and the institution as a whole.

1. Vision and Strategy: The Dean provides a strategic vision for the School’s research agenda, identifying key areas of focus and aligning research priorities with institutional goals. This includes fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and setting long-term research objectives.
2. Resource Allocation and Support: The Dean ensures the necessary resources—funding, facilities, and staffing—are available to support research. They also advocate for external funding and partnerships to expand the School’s research capacity.
3. Mentorship and Development: The Dean plays a key role in mentoring staff and researchers, promoting career development, and ensuring that junior scholars are provided with the guidance needed to thrive in their research.
4. Fostering a Research Culture: They cultivate a culture of inquiry and innovation by encouraging high standards of scholarly excellence, promoting ethical research practices, and creating an environment where creativity and rigorous investigation are valued.
5. Institutional and External Collaboration: The Dean builds relationships with other academic institutions, industry, government, and external stakeholders to create opportunities for collaboration and amplify the School’s research impact.
6. Oversight and Accountability: The Dean ensures that research activities align with the School’s mission and vision, providing oversight to maintain quality, compliance with ethical standards, and accountability for outcomes.
7. Innovation and Impact: The Dean encourages cutting-edge research initiatives and ensures that the work conducted in the School has a tangible impact on the broader academic community and society.

Learning and Teaching

By guiding academic programmes, supporting staff, and fostering a culture of excellence in teaching, the Dean plays a central role in shaping the quality and impact of the School’s educational offerings.

1. Academic Vision and Strategy: The Dean sets a clear vision for the School’s learning and teaching priorities, aligning them with institutional goals and future trends in education. This involves curriculum innovation, promoting student-centred learning, and ensuring academic programmes are relevant, rigorous, and aligned with academic, industry and societal needs.
2. Curriculum Development and Innovation: The Dean leads efforts to update and innovate curricula, ensuring that programmes are dynamic, interdisciplinary where appropriate, and integrate new learning methods, technologies, and pedagogical approaches.
3. Staff Development and Support: The Dean plays a pivotal role in recruiting, developing, and retaining high-quality staff. This includes promoting professional development in teaching practices, offering support for new teaching technologies, and recognising excellence in teaching.
4. Fostering a Learning Culture: The Dean creates an environment where high-quality teaching and learning are central to the School’s identity. This includes promoting best practices in pedagogy, supporting active and experiential learning, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
5. Student Success and Engagement: The Dean ensures that teaching and learning approaches are student-centred, supporting student recruitment, engagement, and success. This includes overseeing academic advising, learning resources, and student services that enhance the overall learning experience.
6. Assessment and Continuous Improvement: The Dean oversees the development of robust assessment processes to measure learning outcomes and teaching effectiveness. They ensure that data from student feedback, evaluations, and other metrics are used to drive continuous improvements in teaching practices and curricula.
7. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The Dean champions inclusive teaching practices, ensuring that the curriculum and learning environment support a diverse student body and promote equity and access in education.
8. Collaboration and Partnership Building: The Dean builds partnerships with other academic institutions, industry, and external stakeholders to enhance the quality of teaching, promote collaborative learning opportunities, and provide students with real-world learning experiences.
9. Policy and Academic Standards: The Dean ensures that teaching policies and academic standards are upheld, including compliance with accreditation bodies and the adoption of best practices in education delivery.

Team Management

By emphasising collaboration, support, and fairness, the Dean’s leadership in team management is key to creating a thriving academic community that can meet the School’s educational and research goals.

1. Talent Recruitment and Retention: The Dean plays a critical role in attracting and retaining world-class staff. They lead recruitment efforts to attract top talent, ensuring a diverse and skilled workforce that aligns with the School’s academic and strategic objectives.
2. Professional Development and Mentorship: The Dean fosters the growth and development of staff by offering opportunities for professional development, mentorship, and career advancement. This includes providing access to resources, training programmes, and support for research and teaching excellence.
3. Creating a Collaborative and Inclusive Culture: The Dean promotes a culture of collaboration, respect, and inclusion within the School. They ensure that diverse perspectives are valued and work to create an environment where all staff feel supported and empowered to contribute to the School’s mission.
4. Performance Management: The Dean is responsible for setting performance expectations, providing regular feedback, and conducting evaluations for staff. They ensure that performance reviews are transparent, fair, and aligned with institutional goals. The Dean also recognises and rewards exceptional contributions to the School’s success.
5. Conflict Resolution and Mediation: As a leader, the Dean addresses conflicts that may arise among staff or between departments. They play a key role in resolving disputes, ensuring that issues are handled constructively and fostering a positive work environment.
6. Workforce Planning and Resource Allocation: The Dean is involved in strategic workforce planning, ensuring that the School’s staffing levels and skill sets are aligned with its long-term goals. This includes making decisions on resource allocation to support both individual and institutional priorities.
7. Change Management: The Dean leads and supports change initiatives, helping staff navigate shifts in institutional priorities, policies, or structures. They communicate changes effectively, manage resistance, and provide support to ensure a smooth transition.
8. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): The Dean champions DEI initiatives in the School’s workforce, ensuring that hiring practices, promotions, and daily interactions reflect a commitment to fairness and diversity. They work to remove barriers to success and create an equitable environment for all employees.
9. Communication and Transparency: The Dean ensures open lines of communication across the School, facilitating clear, transparent communication on key decisions, policies, and developments. They maintain an open-door policy, where staff feel comfortable bringing ideas, concerns, or feedback to leadership.

External Engagement

The Dean’s leadership in External Engagement and Knowledge Exchange is pivotal to extending the School’s influence beyond its academic environment. By building strong external partnerships, fostering innovation, and promoting societal impact, the Dean ensures that the School’s research, knowledge, and expertise benefit both the academic community and the wider world.

1. Cultivating Strategic Partnerships: The Dean proactively builds and sustains relationships with external stakeholders, including industry leaders, government bodies, non-governmental organisations, and other academic institutions. These partnerships help create opportunities for collaborative research, internships, and joint ventures that benefit the School and its external partners.
2. Championing Knowledge Transfer and Impact: The Dean facilitates the transfer of academic knowledge to the broader world, ensuring that research and expertise produced within the School are applied to real-world challenges. This may involve promoting staff consultations, public lectures, or collaborations that translate research findings into practical applications.
3. Strengthening Alumni and Donor Relations: A significant aspect of external engagement involves maintaining strong connections with the School’s alumni network. The Dean engages alumni through events, mentorship programmes, and fundraising initiatives, while also cultivating relationships with donors and sponsors to secure financial support for the School’s programmes, research, and student scholarships.
4. Public Representation and Advocacy: As a key representative of the School, the Dean takes an active role in public forums, conferences, and media outlets. They advocate for the School’s mission, promote its achievements, and position it as a leader in its respective fields. The Dean also contributes to public discussions by representing the School in policy-making circles or industry forums.
5. Encouraging Innovation and Industry Collaboration: The Dean leads initiatives that encourage collaboration between academia and industry, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. This includes supporting staff and students in developing projects that involve technology transfer, patenting, and creating opportunities for industry-sponsored research and development.
6. Expanding International Collaboration: The Dean drives global engagement by establishing partnerships with international institutions, facilitating student and staff exchanges, and promoting cross-border research initiatives. This enhances the School’s global profile and encourages international knowledge exchange.
7. Securing External Funding: The Dean plays a crucial role in securing funding from external sources, including government grants, corporate sponsorships, and philanthropic contributions. They help staff and researchers identify funding opportunities and lead efforts to attract financial support for strategic initiatives aligned with the School’s goals.
8. Promoting Policy Influence and Thought Leadership: The Dean positions the School as a thought leader by actively contributing to policy discussions, influencing public discourse, and advising on critical issues. This involves promoting research that informs policy, participating in advisory boards, or partnering with government agencies to address pressing societal concerns.

Financial Management

Empower the School’s senior team to manage devolved budgets and income and expenditure to promote financial sustainability in line with agreed KPIs.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Advanced Academic Credentials:

A PhD or equivalent degree in a field of the humanities and social sciences. This demonstrates a profound understanding of the academic environment and the ability to make significant contributions to research and teaching.

Proven Research and Teaching Excellence:

• A strong record of scholarly research, evidenced by publications in top-tier, peer-reviewed international journals and prestigious presses in humanities and social sciences-related disciplines.
• A track record of effective teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels, preferably in an international context.

Academic Leadership Experience:

• Significant experience in academic administration, such as serving as a School Dean, associate Dean and department chair, or in similar leadership roles where they were responsible for overseeing staff, managing budgets, and developing academic programmes.
• Experience with staff development, curriculum design, research leadership, internationalisation and strategic planning.

Global Perspective and International Experience:

• Experiences of working in international academic institutions.
• Familiarity with global higher education and cross-cultural management, as well as an understanding of how to adapt humanities and social sciences education to diverse cultural and economic contexts.

Strong Industry and Corporate Relations:

• Extensive engagement with the local community, government agencies, and industry associations. Experience in fostering relationships that lead to internships, work placements, and collaborations for students and staff.
• A proven ability to secure external funding, sponsorships, and build strong alumni networks.

Academic Quality Assurance:

Leadership experience in ensuring high standards in teaching, research, and student experience to maintain quality assurance.

Please submit your CV, along with a covering letter of up to two pages, outlining your relevant experience and how you meet the expectations of the position, by 28^th February 2026 (via the 'Apply' button above). Interviews will be held shortly after this. Informal enquiries about the role can be made to Professor Zhoulin Ruan, Vice President for Academic Affairs, via Zhoullin.ruan@xjtlu.edu.cn.