Interim Secretary of the School of the Physical Sciences - Internal Secondment Opportunity

The post is offered to internal candidates only on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.

Temporary Cover, fixed-term from 1 July 2024 until 15 September 2025.

We are looking for a senior leader for our small and friendly team to cover the career break of the current Secretary of the School. You will be an integral member of the team, and of the leadership of the School, leading the Professional Services team and supporting the Head of School across the range of strategic issues the School faces. There will be extensive involvement with the various University Change Programmes, working alongside the School's new Change Partner. There is also the opportunity to take forward specific projects which can be shaped by the interests of the role holder but might include working with particular Departments or on particular policy issues, HR reviews of team structures, support for the postgraduate widening participation agenda, support for the School's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and Research Culture agendas. The permanent School Secretary will, as part of his career break arrangements, continue at 20% FTE, but will focus on IT and Buildings issues, with the post holder leading on all other matters.

This is an excellent and unusual chance for a talented individual to advance their career. The School Office provides a unique perspective on the operation of the University, sitting at an interesting interface between the eight academic Departments of the School, who are at the forefront of delivering exceptionally high-quality teaching and ground-breaking research and the University's central administration. We also collaborate directly with external bodies such as funders, especially the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

The role requires experience of staff management and managing change, but most of all the ability to pick-up new issues, in policy or operations, and take them forward to the benefit of the School and its Departments always ensuring that the support of the academic mission of teaching and research is the primary consideration. Candidates should be qualified to at least first degree level or have equivalent professional experience. A qualification in a Physical Science subject is emphatically not a requirement for the post.

In return we would offer you:

• A very supportive team environment with weekly team meetings, to develop your understanding of the work undertaken across the whole team.

• IT equipment to allow for hybrid working when possible, taking into consideration the needs of the team (currently experience suggests this role needs 4 days a week in the office, but with flexibility around family and other commitments).

• The opportunity for flexible working: our preference is for full-time but we would welcome enquiries from applicants seeking to work on a part-time basis and working hours and patterns can be discussed either at interview or in advance.

• Access to (and encouragement to attend) various University training courses, as well as LinkedIn Learning, with an emphasis on personal development.

• Considerable exposure to central University issues and committees; in practice a large part of the role holder's time will be spent representing the School in this way.

• A supportive, inclusive and engaging working environment within a small and friendly team.

Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.

The closing date for applications is midnight on Wednesday 17 April 2024, with interviews expected to take place during the weeks commencing Monday 29 April 2024 and Monday 6 May 2024.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Applications should include a CV and covering letter.

Informal enquiries regarding this position can be made to Professor Nigel Peake, Head of School ([email protected] ) or Dr Jim Bellingham, Secretary of the School of the Physical Sciences ([email protected] ).

If you have any queries about the recruitment process, please contact Georgina Fuller, Office Manager in the School Office ([email protected] ).

Please quote reference AK41017 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Further information
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