Executive Dean (2 Posts)
| Posting date: | 09 September 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £105,001 to £136,758 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 03 October 2025 |
| Location: | Birmingham, West Midlands |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | Aston University |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 0736-25 |
Summary
Executive Dean - School of Medicine, Pharmacy & Biosciences
Executive Dean - School of Psychology, Health & Clinical Sciences
Aston University is seeking two exceptional academic leaders to join our Vice-Chancellor’s Executive team as Executive Dean School of Medicine, Pharmacy & Biosciences and Executive Dean School of Psychology, Health & Clinical Sciences.
These are transformative opportunities to shape the future of one of the UK’s most innovative and inclusive universities, driving excellence across education, research, and enterprise.
Aston University
The Executive Dean of School will lead the cross-disciplinary Schools covering either Medicine, Pharmacy & Biosciences, or Psychology, Health & Clinical Sciences.
As Executive Dean, you will lead one of Aston’s dynamic Schools, steering its academic strategy and operational performance in alignment with our ambitious Aston 2030 Strategy.
You will be pivitol in driving our aspiration for growth and geographic diversification through our innovative omni-channel education model, integrating traditional in-person teaching and learning with cutting-edge online learning platforms and digital resources including Aston Online, Aston London, other international hubs, and Aston Professional.
You will implement strategic and operational plans to the highest professional standards within a cross-disciplinary School to create a compelling, high-quality offering for students, businesses and the wider community. Delivery of our Strategy and plans will be achieved through inspiring leadership and effective management of the School's workforce, which consists of highly skilled, motivated and experienced academic and professional staff.
You will be responsible for:
Strategic growth in student numbers, research income, and global reputation
Academic leadership across teaching, research, and external engagement
Driving world-class research and interdisciplinary collaboration
Budget management and financial prudence
People management, fostering a high-performance culture
Building strong partnerships across industry, government, and the third sector
Championing innovation in digital, transnational, and professional education
Driving success of the University's Aston 2030 Strategy and Measures of Success
The successful candidate will join the VC’s Executive Team and contribute to the development of the University Strategy and implementation plans, participating fully in the decision-making responsibilities of this Executive Group to ensure the University is best placed to succeed and thrive in an increasingly competitive environment.
You will identify and actively encourage innovative collaboration and integration across School’s, leading to significant improvements and outcomes for the University and will be responsible for rising the profile of teaching quality, research, business development and financial performance.
We are seeking a visionary leader with:
A distinguished national and international academic profile and leadership experience in higher education
Proven ability to deliver strategic growth and transformation
A collaborative, inclusive leadership style aligned with Aston’s values
Strong commercial acumen and external engagement capabilities
Strong credibility with key beneficiaries, evidenced by success in securing agreements and effective collaborations with relevant external beneficiaries, including industry and technology sector organisations, as well as funders such as EPSRC and Innovate UK
Commitment to leading and inspiring student success, research excellence and staff development
Please find further details showing excellence in teaching and research, growth and impact across the Schools.
Note: The role is underpinned by a continuing substantial professorial role within the relevant School coupled with a 5-year fixed term as Dean of School with honorarium.
Executive Dean - School of Psychology, Health & Clinical Sciences
Aston University is seeking two exceptional academic leaders to join our Vice-Chancellor’s Executive team as Executive Dean School of Medicine, Pharmacy & Biosciences and Executive Dean School of Psychology, Health & Clinical Sciences.
These are transformative opportunities to shape the future of one of the UK’s most innovative and inclusive universities, driving excellence across education, research, and enterprise.
Aston University
The Executive Dean of School will lead the cross-disciplinary Schools covering either Medicine, Pharmacy & Biosciences, or Psychology, Health & Clinical Sciences.
As Executive Dean, you will lead one of Aston’s dynamic Schools, steering its academic strategy and operational performance in alignment with our ambitious Aston 2030 Strategy.
You will be pivitol in driving our aspiration for growth and geographic diversification through our innovative omni-channel education model, integrating traditional in-person teaching and learning with cutting-edge online learning platforms and digital resources including Aston Online, Aston London, other international hubs, and Aston Professional.
You will implement strategic and operational plans to the highest professional standards within a cross-disciplinary School to create a compelling, high-quality offering for students, businesses and the wider community. Delivery of our Strategy and plans will be achieved through inspiring leadership and effective management of the School's workforce, which consists of highly skilled, motivated and experienced academic and professional staff.
You will be responsible for:
Strategic growth in student numbers, research income, and global reputation
Academic leadership across teaching, research, and external engagement
Driving world-class research and interdisciplinary collaboration
Budget management and financial prudence
People management, fostering a high-performance culture
Building strong partnerships across industry, government, and the third sector
Championing innovation in digital, transnational, and professional education
Driving success of the University's Aston 2030 Strategy and Measures of Success
The successful candidate will join the VC’s Executive Team and contribute to the development of the University Strategy and implementation plans, participating fully in the decision-making responsibilities of this Executive Group to ensure the University is best placed to succeed and thrive in an increasingly competitive environment.
You will identify and actively encourage innovative collaboration and integration across School’s, leading to significant improvements and outcomes for the University and will be responsible for rising the profile of teaching quality, research, business development and financial performance.
We are seeking a visionary leader with:
A distinguished national and international academic profile and leadership experience in higher education
Proven ability to deliver strategic growth and transformation
A collaborative, inclusive leadership style aligned with Aston’s values
Strong commercial acumen and external engagement capabilities
Strong credibility with key beneficiaries, evidenced by success in securing agreements and effective collaborations with relevant external beneficiaries, including industry and technology sector organisations, as well as funders such as EPSRC and Innovate UK
Commitment to leading and inspiring student success, research excellence and staff development
Please find further details showing excellence in teaching and research, growth and impact across the Schools.
Note: The role is underpinned by a continuing substantial professorial role within the relevant School coupled with a 5-year fixed term as Dean of School with honorarium.
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