Deputy Dean of School

FTE: 1 FTE (working 37 hours per week)

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, Hatfield           

The University of Hertfordshire is seeking to appoint an outstanding Deputy Dean to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the School of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences. We are looking for an experienced leader with a strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges of a modern university. The role will deputise for the Dean and lead on the effective governance of a complex, newly merged School with over 900 staff and a strong multidisciplinary focus. 

Main duties and responsibilities

Working closely with the Dean, the Deputy Dean will act as a key strategic thought partner, operating across all areas of School activity to ensure alignment, integration, and delivery of the School’s objectives. This is a significant leadership role requiring the ability to work across traditional boundaries and connect activity across education and student success, research, enterprise, external engagement, and operations, while driving delivery at pace. 

You will play a central role in translating strategy into action, building cohesion, driving performance, and ensuring that the School achieves its ambitions in relation to student outcomes, research performance, external engagement, and financial sustainability. 

Skills and experience required

Proven experience of organisational change, financial management, academic ways of working, and objective setting is required to complement the Dean’s vision of shaping a vibrant health, medicine and life sciences ecosystem that empowers future professionals. 

The role also requires strong line management experience, including budget responsibility. Experience of organisational transformation would be desirable. 

Excellent relationship management, collaborative working, communication, and business planning skills are essential. You will be comfortable analysing data, supporting and challenging senior colleagues, and ensuring that executive members of the School deliver their objectives in a timely and effective manner. 

We are seeking an experienced and credible senior leader with a strong track record of delivering results within a complex organisation. You will bring the ability to think strategically, operate across multiple domains, and influence at senior level, while contributing actively to shaping the future direction of the School.

Qualifications required

You will hold an undergraduate degree in a subject relevant to the School’s portfolio, a Doctorate in a subject relevant to the School’s portfolio OR substantial equivalent experience and fellow of Advance HE (or commitment to achieving in next 2 years). 

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. 

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: For an informal discussion, please contact: Professor Irene Ctori, Dean of School of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (i.ctori@herts.ac.uk) 

Closing Date: 14 June 2026

Interview Date: 25 June 2026

To apply for this role, please click on the 'Apply' button above.

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