Applications are sought for an exciting opportunity as Head of School of the School of Education. The University of Aberdeen is ranked in the top 20 in the UK in both the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022 and the Guardian University Guide 2022. Globally, the University is consistently ranked among the top 200 universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. It has been ranked in the top 5 in the UK in both the 2021 and 2022 National Student Surveys.

The School has four academic departments: Counselling, Wellbeing and Education Psychology; Early Childhood Education and Care; Initial Teacher Education; and Postgraduate Taught and Professional Learning. Research and scholarship capacity crosscuts these departments. Education has strong partnerships locally, nationally, and internationally; a Learning Hub, in partnership with the Northern Alliance, located in the School of Education’s MacRobert Building; and a new dedicated Counselling Research Centre.

The incoming Head of School will work with Department Heads across the School and the School Executive and is expected to understand the different dynamics in these departments but also how these disciplines come together through interdisciplinary research and teaching.

The School is highly ranked. For example, it is consistently ranked in the top 20 in the UK in the Times and Sunday Good University Guide, and Education as a subject ranked 7th in the UK in the 2022 NSS.

The School is one of twelve in the University and is located in Old Aberdeen. By headcount the School comprises 65 academics and 21 administrative staff. By full-time equivalent the School has approximately 1394 students in total, comprised of 691 UG, 428 PGT, and 260 online and 15 PGR students.

Candidates must hold a PhD/EdD in a relevant subject and be dynamic, collegial, and creative, with outstanding communication skills, and ambition to lead the School towards fulfilling the University’s Aberdeen 2040 strategic aims. We welcome applicants with a background in any of the School’s disciplines areas.

The University embraces a diverse working environment. Applications from individuals from across all of the equality protected characteristics are encouraged.

The Head of School appointment is for five years in the first instance and is made subject to the usual terms and conditions of employment of the University. An additional honorarium payment for headship applies over and above the academic salary.

Should you require a visa to undertake employment in the UK you will be required to fulfil the minimum points criteria to be granted a Certificate of Sponsorship under the requirements of the Skilled Worker visa. At the time an offer of appointment is made, you will be asked to demonstrate that you fulfil the criteria in respect of qualification and competency in English. For research and academic posts, we will consider eligibility under the Global Talent visa. Please do not hesitate to contact Tim Arnot, Senior HR Partner, (e-mail: t.arnot@abdn.ac.uk) for further information.

Perrett Laver will support the Appointment Committee in the discharge of its duties, both to assist in the assessment of candidates against the requirements for the role and to identify the widest possible field of qualified candidates.

Interested individuals are invited to submit a curriculum vitae and covering letter. They should explain why they feel they meet the criteria set out above and how they would be successful in the role.

Completed applications should be uploaded quoting reference 6208 at: https://candidates.perrettlaver.com/vacancies

The closing date for applications is noon on Wednesday 4th January 2023 GMT).

The appointing committee will review all applications and determine which of them appear to meet the criteria for the role as set out above. Those applicants shortlisted will be invited for interview in late February 2022.

For a conversation in confidence, please contact Elsa Robinson at 020 7340 6286 or elsa.robinson@perrettlaver.com.