Head of School of Engineering

Head of School of Engineering

The University of Surrey provides life-changing education for its students and impactful research that delivers solutions to global problems. The Times Higher Education 2024 rated Surrey 86th in the world for impact and the REF 2021 33rd for overall research quality. For student satisfaction we are ranked 11th in the UK and were shortlisted for the University of the Year title by Times Higher Education awards 2024.

As part of the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, the newly formed School of Engineering brings together the well-established disciplines under Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering Sciences to meet the faculty strategy “Towards An Optimised And Connected Future”.  As a new School we are committed to delivering high quality student-focused teaching, driven by the integration of our teaching and research activities.

This is an exciting time to join the University of Surrey: the launch of the new school gives opportunity to harness strong synergies across disciplines through collaborative research and teaching activity. Bringing together expertise across disciplines is central to our focus in being able to innovate and develop students ready to tackle real-world issues and solve global problems.

About the role

The Head of School drives forward the University strategy and leads the delivery of strategic objectives through innovative, inclusive and entrepreneurial approaches. Reporting to the Pro Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean, the postholder will take strategic leadership of the School, bringing the different disciplinary cultures and identities of its newly combined component parts together in mutually enriching ways. The role holder will also contribute to pan-university activities defined by the broader strategic priorities set by the Executive Board. 

Whilst the successful candidate will be appointed to a permanent senior academic post, the Head of School role is for a fixed 5-year tenure, with the potential to extend. 

About you

To be successful in this role you will draw on an established academic track record of research and leadership relevant to discipline. You will be an inspiring and inclusive research-active leader who can articulate a compelling vision for the new School and inspire confidence and engagement. Key to this is embracing the whole ethos of an interdisciplinary approach across research and teaching to innovate and deliver a contemporary school-wide strategy. We work collaboratively and so you will need to demonstrate a high level of proficiency in developing strategic partnerships within the School, wider University, and with external stakeholders.

If you are a pioneering academic leader, passionate about making a difference to the university and leading your new School to the next level, we want to hear from you.  

What we can offer

The University of Surrey is a prestigious university set in a beautiful campus in Guildford, half an hour’s journey from London. In addition to a generous salary and relocation support, we offer a vibrant working environment, childcare assistance, first-class sports and leisure facilities, and access to a variety of staff development opportunities.

Further information

If you would like to have an informal conversation with the PVC Executive Dean, please contact James Smith via james.smith@surrey.ac.uk

Interviews will be held 1^st November 2024.

The University of Surrey is committed to providing an inclusive environment that offers equal opportunities for all. We place great value on diversity and are seeking to increase the diversity within our community. 

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