Executive Dean

The James Watt School of Engineering seeks to appoint an Executive Dean with responsibility for Academic matters in its Trans-national Education Partnership with the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China: Glasgow College UESTC.  This award-winning international partnership currently supports five Accredited undergraduate degrees across campuses in Chengdu, and Hainan, with an intake of close to 800 student per year. Among the most recent graduating cohort, 88.3% secured unconditional offers for postgraduate study—over half of these from overseas institutions, with 97% of those offers from QS World Top 100 universities, 90.3% from QS Top 50, and 78.9% from QS Top 20.

The role of Executive Dean (Academic) involves working in partnership with the existing leadership teams in Glasgow, Chengdu and Hainan to ensure the highest quality of student education. This post is normally the most senior representative of the University of Glasgow at their Chinese location, and as such will also play a key role in building effective networks with key stakeholders, and exercising wisdom in decisions which may be judged urgent. You should have senior academic or administrative experience in critical and strategic leadership positions and can be externally appointed or from existing University of Glasgow staff. Considerable knowledge of the international Higher Education sector, including operations and excellent communication skills in English are required, along with experience of working in different cultural environments and the ability to influence and negotiate in an international context.

This post may be based in Glasgow, with significant periods of time (at least 50%) spent in Chengdu, China, with visits to our Hainan campus, and other locations in China. The postholder may also be based in Chengdu, China, making occasional trips to our Hainan campus and to the UK. In this case the postholder will be appointed by the University of Glasgow and seconded on a 100% basis to the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), People's Republic of China,

Job Purpose

The role of Executive Dean (Academic) involves working in partnership with the existing leadership teams in Glasgow, Chengdu and Hainan to ensure the highest quality of student education. They are normally the most senior representative of the University of Glasgow at their Chinese location, and as such will also play a key role in building effective networks with key stakeholders, and exercising wisdom in decisions which may be judged urgent.

Main Responsibilities

1. Provide outstanding academic leadership, strategic vision, and direction within Glasgow College UESTC in the Chengdu and Hainan campuses, supported by underpinning technical expertise in the field of electronics, microelectronics, or electronic systems, or significant experience in transnational education.

2. Contribute significantly to the leadership, management, and administration in Glasgow College UESTC Chengdu and Hainan, working in partnership with colleagues at UofG and UESTC. This includes membership of key Committees and Boards, input to the management of staff performance and morale, a proactive stance on health and safety, and ensuring optimal provision of resources. It will also involve involvement in local student recruitment in collaboration with UESTC.

3. Build high-level UofG relationships with industry to support teaching and learning, and with key organisations/networks to enhance the profile of the University of Glasgow and Glasgow College UESTC in China, to enhance the University’s international profile in line with Global Glasgow International Strategy. This includes other HE institutions, the MoE, CBBC, embassies, local authorities, and alumni groups; working with External Relations and the UofG Dean for Global Engagement for East Asia.

4. Lead and sustain research (or scholarship) of international standing in electronics, microelectronics, electronic systems, or transnational education. Dependent on experience, this will include publishing high-quality research papers or other outputs, and presenting invited talks at leading national and international conferences/symposia.

5. Undertake teaching, supervision and assessment within science, electronics, engineering systems, professional skills or English language courses as appropriate.

6. The Executive Dean (Academic) will take lead responsibility for quality assurance within the Glasgow College UESTC, in line with UofG policy and sector guidance. This includes local dual degree undergraduate programmes and future MSc programmes, and will require effective communication with all stakeholders, including students, parents, and external bodies.

7. The Executive Dean (Academic) will take lead responsibility for curriculum development and continuous improvement of the academic quality of teaching programmes and new partnership initiatives on both the Chengdu and Hainan campuses, working closely with the Executive Dean (Staff and Student Experience) to ensure that this is complemented by an excellent staff and student experience.

8. The Executive Dean (Academic) will provide effective leadership to locally based jointly appointed staff, and provide effective mentorship, primarily (but not solely) in matters relating to curriculum, effective course delivery and assessment.

9. Work with a Senior Adviser of Studies to support students at their local campus.

10. Engage in personal, professional and career development.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential

A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) or equivalent in related discipline with an extensive and established reputation in research and significant teaching experience within a relevant and related discipline.

A2 An internationally recognised reputation in high-quality research and knowledge exchange, or in transnational education.

A3 A thorough understanding of, and track record in contributing to, broader academic leadership and management at a School, Research Institute, Service or College level.

A4 Understanding of the current and future priorities of University, College and Service strategies, aims and ambitions.

A5 Membership of a relevant professional body.

Desirable

B1 Working knowledge of Mandarin Chinese.

B2 Extensive knowledge of the Higher Education sector (preferably in the UK and China, but experience in other locations such as North America, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong or mainland Europe would also be considered).

B3 Comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the subject area, both nationally and internationally, and an understanding of the future direction of research and teaching in the subject area.

Skills

Essential

C1 Excellent communication skills in English, including a high level of intercultural communication and negotiation skills in an international context, with the ability to engage at all levels within the School, College, University, and beyond, in the academic, policy and practitioner communities.

C2 Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to foster collegiality and collaborative working.

C3 Proven commitment to supporting the career development of colleagues and to other forms of collegiality appropriate to the career stage.

C4 Proven project and budget management skills.

Experience

Essential

E1 Operational experience in senior positions in a transnational education context.

E2 A track record of successful leadership and management in the setting of an international teaching collaboration, e.g. in: chairing committees, leading on new initiatives, assessment and curriculum development, setting standards and monitoring progress, mentoring/coaching staff, developing student support practice and approaches.

Desirable

F1 Significant teaching experience within the subject area.

F2 Maintaining a portfolio of research activity of international quality, reputation and impact.

F3 A track record of research income generation from a range of sources.

F4 A proven ability to foster research collaborations with colleagues in other disciplines, Schools, Colleges and Universities as appropriate.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be within the Professorial range and subject to negotiation.

This post is full time and fixed term for up to 4 years

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension , benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing , including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community here .

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan  and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.

For further information about this position please contact: Professor Scott Roy, [email protected] or Professor Sajjad Hussain, [email protected]

Closing Date: 22nd June 2026 at 23:45.