
Head of School Job Description
Job Title: Head of School
School/Faculty: [School Faculty Name]
Contract Duration: Fixed-Term (3 years in the first instance, may be extended to 5 years)
Department Overview
Intro
As defined in each Faculty’s Constitution, each School shall have a Head who is responsible for the direct management of all staff, resources and activities in that School. Heads provide a leadership role, ensuring that strategic developments are enacted through the practices of School staff, in the context of the Faculty, University and wider community needs and contributions. The Head of School is a pivotal academic leadership role within DCU, offering the opportunity to shape the strategic direction and impact of an academic unit. This is both a leadership and a scholarly position, requiring a blend of vision, operational acumen, and academic excellence. Reporting to the Executive Dean, the postholder will lead the School in delivering outstanding teaching, research, and external engagement, ensuring full alignment with University priorities. The role involves inspiring and enabling a diverse community of academic and professional staff, cultivating a culture of innovation, inclusion, and excellence. The Head will oversee the School’s academic development, performance, operations, and resource management, while also strengthening collaborations across disciplines, sectors, and international borders. |
Duties and Responsibilities
The primary role of the Head of School is to provide academic and administrative leadership to the School, and to report to the Executive Dean, in relation to:
Specific duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not restricted to, the following: Strategic and Academic Leadership
Operational and Organisational Effectiveness
In the current academic structure, budget and resource management accountability reside at Faculty level. School level resource management is the responsibility of the Head. The Head will liaise closely with the Executive Dean in the delivery of the following: Resource and Financial Stewardship
People and Culture Leadership
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Skills and Experience
The ideal candidate may have a combination of the following skills and experience:
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Essential Training
The postholder will be required to undertake the following essential compliance training: Orientation, Health & Safety, Data Protection (GDPR) AI Literacy and all Cyber Security Awareness Training. They will also be expected to attend the Head of School Development Programme and complete all relevant induction training. Other training may need to be undertaken when required. |
Closing Date: [Insert Closing Date which should be at least 2 weeks from the date of posting] Application Procedure Applications must be submitted through the DCU’s Career Page at: www.dcu.ie/people/jobs Applicants must upload:
Incomplete applications will not be processed or considered.
Dublin City University is an equal opportunities employer. In line with the Employment Equality Acts 1998 – 2015, the University is committed to equality of treatment for all those who engage with its recruitment, selection and appointment processes. The University’s Athena SWAN Silver Award signifies the University’s commitment to promoting gender equality and addressing any gender pay gaps. Information on a range of university policies aimed at creating a supportive and flexible work environment are available in the DCU Policy Starter Packs
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