Executive Dean of the University of Sussex Business School

The University of Sussex is looking to appoint an Executive Dean for its internationally-renowned Business School. Established in 2009, the University of Sussex Business School has played a critical role in the University’s success in recent years.

From Sussex’s beginnings over 60 years ago, its distinctive ethos has informed its work. The University set out to disrupt traditional ways of creating and organising knowledge and, in doing so, developed its own distinctive identity which fostered a strong sense of community and purpose.

Under the leadership of Professor Sasha Roseneil, Vice-Chancellor and President since summer 2022, the University is introducing a new academic structure, with the establishment of four Faculties: the University of Sussex Business School; Media, Arts & Humanities; Science, Engineering & Medicine; and Social Sciences.  The Executive Dean of the Business School, which already operates very much like a Faculty, will be the first person to hold this strategically significant role. They will be instrumental in shaping the disciplinary and interdisciplinary areas within their Faculty, as well as contributing to the overall development of the University.  

The new Executive Dean will drive a successful and unique Business School with an already significant reputation and considerable strength across education and research, alongside an ongoing commitment to fostering innovation and addressing pressing societal challenges. They will be tasked with developing and delivering the University’s academic vision and strategy at Faculty level.

Drawing on the significant historical and intellectual prowess of its founding departments, the University of Sussex Business School brought together the world-renowned Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU) and the Department of Economics, which was a global leader in development economics. Its reach and expertise now includes business, management, finance, accounting, marketing and sustainability and climate change. The School has continued to significantly expand its scale and impact to become a top-ranking global Business School. Accredited by EQUIS and AMBA, it stands in the top 15 in the UK for Business and Economics (THE World University Rankings 2023) and 1st in the UK for annual research income 2019-22 (Chartered Association of Business Schools). The School continues to build on its rich history, with a number of exciting new research developments including the launch of the Centre for Inclusive Trade Policy and the founding of the Bennett Institute for Innovation and Policy Accreditation.

The new Executive Dean will be an ambitious and inspirational leader who works with colleagues to take the School into the next phase of its development. Priorities will include: creating a shared sense of purpose and collective identity; enhancing excellence in education and research; cultivating relationships with external partners; growing research income; and ensuring effective and efficient organisation and operations across all Business School activities.

Reporting to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Provost, the Executive Dean will be part of the senior leadership team (the ‘University Executive Team’). Strong candidates will be highly respected academics with an impressive personal research profile in a cognate field. They will evidence a successful track-record of leadership, with significant management of people and resources. They will know how to engage others in developing an exciting strategy and shaping the future direction of the School. Superb communication and influencing skills will be critical, as will patience and resilience. Candidates must be committed to providing the best experience for their students and an inclusive environment for all Business School members, enabling the full breadth of its community to excel. They will demonstrate enthusiasm for the distinctiveness of the University of Sussex and will have a good understanding of the challenges facing universities in the current economic, political, and cultural climate. They will be personally committed to creating an inclusive and equitable environment in which diversity of background, identity, belief, thought, discipline, and method are understood to be foundational to the Business School’s success. A PhD and professorial standing are essential.

This is a significant and strategic leadership role, and a unique opportunity to further embed the Business School within an ambitious and progressive University, to shape the future of Business education and research at Sussex, and to contribute to the wider development of the University.

For more information about the role, including how to apply, please click on the apply link above.

The closing date for all applications, which should be in the form of a CV and cover letter and addressed to sussexdeanbusiness@minervasearch.com  is by close of business on Friday 17^th May 2024.

The University of Sussex is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and, through this appointment process, it is the Council’s clear stated aim to develop candidate pools that include applicants from all backgrounds and communities. The University particularly welcomes applications from women, people from black and minority ethnic communities, the LGBT+ community and from disabled people.