Head of School Job Description

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. 

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:

• The School’s participation in the development of Faculty and University programmes;
• The coordination, delivery and development of modules offered by the School in Faculty and University programmes, and the quality of teaching provided by the school;
• The fostering of a research culture that drives innovation, attracts external funding, and delivers societal impact.
• The governance of the School and the establishment and development of its strategic direction;
• The guidance and development of staff and management of personnel-related issues in the School;
• The management of the School’s finances and infrastructure through effective planning, budgetary and expenditure control; and
• Ensuring that the needs and interests of the School are appropriately represented to key individuals and groups both internal and external to the University.

Specific duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not restricted to, the following:

Strategic and Academic Leadership

• Develop and articulate a compelling academic vision for the School in the context of the Faculty Strategic Plan and aligned with DCU’s institutional strategy.
• Establish administration and management structures within the School that strike a balance between decisiveness and inclusiveness;
• Maintain personal academic standing.
• Encourage the pursuit of excellence in teaching and learning, and in research.
• Promote collaboration with other Schools or Research Centres where appropriate;
• Support internationalisation through development of strategic partnerships and global engagement initiatives.
• Maintain and enhance relationships with key external stakeholders including professional bodies (as appropriate).

Operational and Organisational Effectiveness

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the School.
• In conjunction with the Faculty, develop and maintain quality assurance and governance processes, particularly in relation to teaching, student learning resources, research and the supervision of students.
• Cascade University policies and ensure effective implementation within the School.
• Represent the School on Faculty and University-level committees and communicate institutional developments to School members.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, data protection, and ethical policies.

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

• Manage the School budget in partnership with the Executive Dean and Faculty operations teams.
• Manage and maintain allocated financial and physical resources (space and infrastructure) to ensure optimal levels of relevance, utilisation and efficiency.
• Pursue opportunities for additional revenue generation.
• Contribute to business continuity planning and manage risks associated with School operations.

People and Culture Leadership

• Lead a culture of excellence, inclusivity, and collaboration among academic and professional staff.
• Allocate duties to staff to ensure the effective and efficient performance of the School’s teaching, research and service functions.
• Ensure effective performance development, and succession planning.
• Oversee recruitment, induction, and mentoring processes.
• Support career progression aligned with DCU’s Academic Development and Promotion Framework.
• Promote and model DCU’s values, with a strong emphasis on EDI, staff wellbeing, and psychological safety.
• Address people-related issues with fairness, discretion, and adherence to policy.

The ideal candidate may have a combination of the  following skills and experience:

• Strategic mindset with a proven ability to deliver change and align School objectives to institutional strategy.

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.

• Strong organisational, budgetary, and administrative competencies.
• Commitment to academic excellence and student success.
• A values-based leader who promotes collaboration, inclusion, and personal development.

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:

1. Curriculum Vitae

2. Cover Letter

3. Completed Application Form (available at the bottom of the vacancy post)

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