Head of Department of Art
Manchester Metropolitan University
Who we are
We’re looking for an ambitious academic leader with an international research profile to further enhance our Department of Art – by promoting our reputation regionally, nationally and internationally and by ensuring the department is well resourced and run effectively. It’s an excellent opportunity to be an academic pacesetter in a vibrant school and a dynamic, creative global city.
Role
Working closely with (and occasionally deputising for) the Dean, you’ll provide academic leadership for the department to ensure this is a stimulating, productive environment for staff and students alike. Part of the Faculty Executive Group and one of the University’s senior staff team, you’ll plan strategic objectives, set the department’s direction and lead on key projects. A key part of the role is to make the best use of our resources – whether that’s through strong financial management, ensuring a safe working environment or by helping senior staff (Academic Heads Staff Team) to develop, by regularly setting and reviewing objectives.
As well as setting our direction you’ll help to raise our reputation. The School is rated sixth in the UK for our research power, with two thirds of our research internationally excellent. You’ll further develop a high-level research community and ensure we continue to reach out, enhancing and developing links both with Manchester’s creative and cultural networks as well as nationally and internationally.
Ideal Candidate
This is an ideal role for someone on an upward career trajectory. We are keen to hear from candidates with an exemplary track record in leadership in learning and teaching who can demonstrate international excellence in research/ professional practice and scholarship. Alongside a proven ability to organise and lead research and enterprise activity, it’s vital you have a good understanding of HE today and a clear perception of the future direction of Art and Design both within the University and internationally.
Experience and skills:
We are looking for as many of the following as possible:
Experience:
- A highly credible academic and research record.
- A proven record of academic leadership and management including programme development and innovation in teaching and learning.
- Successfully securing and managing external funding.
- Managing resources: both budgets and staff deployment.
Skills:
- Academic planning and resource management.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills; an ability to communicate a clear vision to a wide range of audiences in a variety of media.
- Chairing skills and report writing
- Time and project management. Change management; enabling change
- Ability to negotiate effectively with external and internal stakeholders including Professional, Statutory, Regulatory and funding bodies.
The Department:
The Department of Art is one of four academic departments in the Manchester School of Art. The staff team is made up of a community of academics all of whom are either practising artists, theorists or curators. The
Department has a strong emphasis on research, which informs development of the curriculum at undergraduate and postgraduate level; it also has a significant group of Postgraduate research students. The Department is home to a successful BTEC Foundation Diploma, which was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in 2011.
How to Apply:
If you have any questions about this role please contact Penny Macbeth, Dean of the Manchester School of Art via email: p.macbeth@mmu.ac.uk
Applications should be sent via email to createourfuture@mmu.ac.uk, and should include a covering letter and CV, demonstrating how your experience and skill set meet the requirements of the personal specification.